Disneyland 50th Anniversary Fireworks

[Rumjungle]

Had a blast figuring out how to shoot fireworks for the first time at Disneyland on Sunday night. Next time, I'll remember to figure out the focussing before it gets dark.:)

http://i.pbase.com/o4/60/643160/1/62870319.bWinhqhD.DisneyFireworkswm.jpg

[Olli]

This is Andy a stunning fireworks shot! The building is beautifully located in the picture.

[sando]

Great shot, looks straight off the front of the Disneyland brochure! :)

[Rumjungle]

Thank you, Olli and sando! I can't wait to give it another go. Now if only Disney would pay me to do this...:)

[Woolburr]

That is a for certain keeper. Nice catch.

[Photodawg1]

Very nice capture! Think I will try shooting fireworks tonight if not rained out.

[Rumjungle]

I'm glad you like it, Dan. And thank you for the compliment Photodawg1.:)

Here are some more:

http://i.pbase.com/o4/60/643160/1/62978529.QLXFqF4E.fireworksblue.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/60/643160/1/62978530.dpJ5KrlZ.fireworksred.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/o4/60/643160/1/62979168.l4lzeMwZ.fireworkslast.jpg

[Livinthalife]

Beautiful!
no other words to describe it!

[Anthony J Howe]

These are very good shots. Man I'm jealous.

[PostShawn]

Very nice!

[samsen]

Excellent images.
Your best job here is finding that especial location in the field. Once I spend 2 hours ahead of time (around 7 PM) yet to find out people grow in every direction especially in front of lens... I think you are close to center park area on the bench with flowers and no unhappy costumer behind yourself.
The post processing and adding and fusion of what I think are several images are fabulous.
Wish to see you capture that happy face formation.

Samsen

[Dan_S]

Brilliant. What settings do you use?

[Reyno]

That's an awesome series of firework shots, Andy. Congrats for a job well done and thanks for sharing.

[Rumjungle]

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone!:)

You're right, Samsen. The location was very important. I happened to be right in front of the castle so there weren't too many people in front of me. That also means I had to sit on that concrete floor for 3 hours to secure this spot.:)

As for settings, I found Disneyland's display to be quite challenging. The reason for this is that they like to throw so many elements at you that it's hard to figure out the exposure (I'll show you why in a second). For the most, I varied the shutter from 1/8 to 12 seconds and the aperture from f/5.6 to f/16. I kept the ISO at 100. I used a tripod, 17-40L lens, no mirror lock-up and no remote release.

Back to my point about Disneyland's display being challenging for me, here's a composite of some of the things they do in the foreground that is so bright it just blows out the image:
http://i.pbase.com/o4/60/643160/1/62990893.VV6xWpjT.blownoutcomposite.jpg
They sure are surprising and great to look at, but they messed up a lot of my pictures.:lol: I think I was the only person there who would have liked less variety and more predictability from the fireworks show.;)

[Keiffer]

Now those are awesome and beautiful shots, The magic kingdom castle really makes this shot!

[Woolburr]

Disney is one of the toughest places I have ever shot fireworks. The lighting and changing intensity make it hard to use set exposures. You did a great job and have some sweet captures there.

[adam*]

Excellent. These are probably the best fireworks shots I have ever seen.

[Rumjungle]

Wow, I truly am flattered. Thank you very much for the kind words.

[pup]

beautiful shots :]]

[spencer87]

wow, these are excellent! makes me want to go to disneyworld now :)

[ibdb]

Very nice shots. Having just spent three days there, I can attest to how difficult it was for him to get these shots. I have never seen that many people lined up for fireworks at any Disney park -- and I am a former cast member who used to be able to just drop in on a pass, so I've a few other shows to compare with. . . ;)

I'd considered trying to shoot the show, but my 5 month old fell asleep in my arms about 10 minutes before Fantasmic started, slept all the way through it, and was still asleep in my arms through the fireworks that followed.