Z, Fire-Eater

[Scottes]

I spend some time at a campground and we put on a heck of a fireworks show every Fourth Of July. This year the owner had a fire-eater in for a pre-show before the fireworks. I had mentioned that I wish I had known she was going to appear so I could get some shots. I like low-light shots and such.

The owner talked to her after the show and she was quite psyched to get some photos. "When I'm out there I can't see what I'm doing, so photos would be cool." She came back the next night and did her show again so I could get some shots.

Now, I wasn't prepared for this at all. I had the 17-40 f/4, not the 50 f/1.8 I would have preferred. I didn't have the 500EX, so I was limited to the pop-up flash. And I had forgotten my remote shutter release, so the long shots were tricky. I've never done night-action shots, have never shot any people - let alone people actually doing something like this. I just thought it would be cool. All in all they didn't come out too bad at all. But we're doing it again this weekend, so I'll be more prepared, and armed with some knowledge this time.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Z_58394.jpg

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Z_58411.jpg

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Z_58454.jpg

This one bother me because of the "ghosting" which happened on almost all of these long shutter shots. I'm not sure of any way to reduce or eliminate the ghosting. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

http://www.itsanadventure.com/postimages/Z_58495.jpg

The first 3 are all at ISO 3200, f/4, 1/200 with the pop-up flash fired. The last was ISO 800, f/4, 1.6 second shutter with flash fired.

I'm thinking that a smaller aperture might reduce the ghosting, and the much more powerful 550EX should still stop the action at the end. I'm also thinking that the smaller aperture will stop - or at least reduce - the blow-outs in the flames. Thoughts and comments appreciated.

[MattyB]

great photos, i LOVE fire and long shutter shots,
about the ghosting, i doubt there is much to do, apart from try and photoshop it out, which was easy in your photos hehe.

heres my attempt, hope you don't mind.

[MattyB]

looking back i could've done more to her hip and above her elbow.

[T-Roc]

Those shots are great!

[Scottes]

Thaks for the comments!

PS is an option, but I had wanted to not get the ghosting in the first place. Ow, well...

[wareseeker]

Very cool shot! I like them.

[Andy_T]

Cool shots!

Still ... to go take night pictures and leave the 50/1.8 at home speaks of little planning on your part :confused:

Still, the images are great! I hope she liked them.

Best regards,
Andy

[bikerider]

Cool shots, all of them.......I actually like the ghosting, it adds to the sense of movement.
Roger.

[Scottes]

Still ... to go take night pictures and leave the 50/1.8 at home speaks of little planning on your part

Still, the images are great! I hope she liked them.
Alas, I was only planning on taking pics of the fireworks. Who needs f/1.8 or a 550EX for fireworks? This was definitely not planned at all.

I think she'll like them, but she won't see them until this weekend. Let's hope.

[Andy_T]

Alas, I was only planning on taking pics of the fireworks. Who needs f/1.8 or a 550EX for fireworks?

Agreed. Given the size and weight of the 50/1.8, leaving it home certainly made your kit smaller and lighter :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[Scottes]

ROFL! You ever try to fit a 20D, 100-400, 400 Prime, tubes, TC, 17-40, and all the *known* needed accessories into 1 bag? There's NEVER enough room for something you'll "never" use...

[Andy_T]

So you took the 400 prime and tubes to shoot fireworks, huh :wink:

It's a lot easier for me (less gear), but the 50/1.8 is my 'emergency' lens that always finds some place in my Tamrac Velocity 7.

Best regards,
Andy

[Music to my eyes]

Have you seen National Geographic when they do these types of shots - they have HEAPS of movement/ghosting - and it looks fantastic, IMO.
Often they don't use flash at all and they may have a person smeared across half the page as they move about over what must be 3 or 4 or more seconds ........
Personally - I prefer the images without flash because of the warm light from the fire. The cold ness of the flash takes away from the mood.....
It could be interesting to play with the 2nd curtain sync feature to see how that changes the image........
Look forward to seeing more of these type of pics - good luck!

[Scottes]

Music, I love the light given by the fire, too, but it's just not enough light for the long shutter speeds, and she wasn't showing up at all - just the flames. When things where coming out OK I was getting her (thanks to flash) and only 1 ghost image. Your comment gives me the idea to have her pause occasionally, thus making for more ghosts... Hmmm.... Could be cool.

I had only the pop-up flash, even at FlashEC -2 it was too much, and she came out too exposed and too white. I'm hoping that the 550EX will do better, since I can use 1/4 or 1/16 power to just barely expose her.

I guess that I could have played with the White Balance temperature, though, to bring back the redness to her... I could also try a red gel over the flash if I can get one in time... Hmmm, more ideas... Wish me luck!

[Music to my eyes]

Another idea.......would be to have some flame torches to the side of her throwing some more light into the picture, - or a BONFIRE!! LOL. - perhaps with the aid of a (silver) reflector? (I know, more and more hassle...........) but if she is modelling for you and she really wants the shots too, it would be worth it! It is the fire's light which sets the mood.
The gel over the flash is a good idea!
Have fun!

[Andy_T]

I had only the pop-up flash, even at FlashEC -2 it was too much, and she came out too exposed and too white. I'm hoping that the 550EX will do better, since I can use 1/4 or 1/16 power to just barely expose her.


Hmm ... there would always be the put-a-tissue-in-front-of-the-flash-DIY-diffusor approach :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[rfreschner]

I spend some time at a campground and we put on a heck of a fireworks show every Fourth Of July.

Off topic I know but, if you don't mind me asking, what campground in your area? I do a lot of camping with friends and we're always looking for good fireworks on the 4th, as well as photo opps!

[Titus213]

I've been know to stuff my 50mm f1.8 into a jacket pocket just to make sure I have it with me. I like the shots you got but agree with you on the ghosting. Getting the flame and not having it impact her exposure will be tricky.

[Maureen Souza]

I missed these first time around, Scott. glad they were resurrected because they are worth seing. I really love the first one....awesome shot!

[Scottes]

Thanks Maureen. If you think *these* are worth seeing you should see the 8x10s - the ones at ISO 3200 would astound you. I'm amazed how good this cameras prints at ISO 3200.

[Maureen Souza]

Thanks Maureen. If you think *these* are worth seeing you should see the 8x10s - the ones at ISO 3200 would astound you. I'm amazed how good this cameras prints at ISO 3200.

Scott: I would like to see one of those.....

I haven't ever used my ISO at higher than 1600 but I have always been pleased at how good that range looks in print. My co-workers are always amazed at the clarity of my photos but they all use P&S cameras and have no idea about the world of photography. It is nice I can impress somebody :):)