How to shoot fireworks

[kbreit]

I was just thinking about how the 4th of July is approaching, which means we'll have plenty of fireworks. How do people recommend you shoot fireworks? I'd test before hand, but it's one of those "once a year" things so it's hard to test.

[DocFrankenstein]

I'll report back in 5 hours or so. We have victoria day's fireworks

[tim]

Tips: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=56672 (contains links to threads and other articles)
My results: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=57500

[malcolmx]

imho put the camera on a tripod set it to bulb and open it up after a few explosions shut down and take another . hand held is not a seriouse option .

[Andy_T]

That's a good example of a recurring question ... bit early for 4th of July, but I commend you on your planning ahead :wink:

Best suggestion is to use the advanced search of the forum and search for all threads where the thread title contains the word 'fireworks'. Read those threads with a lot of replies, you'll learn almost everything there is to know (and see some nice sample pics)

That's a good thread for starters - check the links: http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=36449

Best regards,
Andy

[DocFrankenstein]

Well... f/11 ISO 100 worked well for me. I found f/8 to be very high key.

I varied exposure from 2-4 to 10 seconds. At 10 seconds I shot at f/16...

I feel dirty, I'm wearing stuff from the cliche store.

[lostdoggy]

Set ISO to 100 f/stop 11 or smaller set shutter speed to B. Open shutter with lens cover with black cardboard or my be black hat or lens cap. shutter most be lock open. remove cover from lens when firework approve peak replace cover when firework stops glowing. Capture a few to act fill on same frame. Release shutter when you think there is enough on the frame. Start over again for next frame. Oh and make sure you use a tripod with weight. Read this from a book recently.

[DocFrankenstein]

Good tip with the hat doggy, forgot about it completely.

[tim]

The link I posted earlier has a link to an article that has a great explaination of how to do it.

LostDoggy - why use a piece of cardboard when you could use a shutter release cable more easily?

[DocFrankenstein]

LostDoggy - why use a piece of cardboard when you could use a shutter release cable more easily?
Allows you to cram more fireworks into one exposure, as opposed to 2-3

[tim]

I can do that in photoshop... but if you don't want to post process it might be easier.

[PhotosGuy]

I can do that in photoshop... but if you don't want to post process it might be easier. OTOH, if you shoot just a few in each shot, it makes it easier to put them where you want them. ;)


http://photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Samples%20-%20Rides/?action=view&current=Fireworks_Comp2_70.jpghttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Samples%20-%20Rides/Fireworks_Comp2_70.jpg

http://photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Samples%20-%20Rides/?action=view&current=Fireworks_Comp2_70.jpg (http://photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Samples%20-%20Rides/?action=view&current=Fireworks_Comp2_70.jpg)

[kbreit]

Forget the 4th of July. I'll just use PS. That image is so beautiful!

"It's incredible" - Napoleon Dynamite