Shooting Fireworks....

[PORSCHE118]

...please advise me on best settings for taking shots at fireworks display. Canon Rebel XT. Would a EFS 18-55mm be ok? Thanks alot.

[Eastcoast]

You can use this lens if it is all you have. You can use any lens at all although most seem to use a fairly wide lens. There are quite a few posts about what settings to use, try searching for "fireworks" and "settings" and see what pops up.

This is just one from that search

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...works+settings

[Tee Why]

First, scout a good location where you can get set up prior to the event. Make sure that the lens is clean as shooting at bright lights at night will tend to show flares and what not, especially if you use a UV filter. I'd probably take it off, if you have one. Set up your tripod and if you have one, use a remote shutter release.
Wear a light colored shirt so you don't get run over by cars or stuff and bring a small light with you.
Set your ISO to 100 for least noise and turn the noise reduction off as it takes longer to write the image if you do. If you shoot RAW, you can reduce any noise on the computer.

As for shooting parameters, I'd recommend manual mode, perhaps f16-19 for max DOF and shutter speed around 5-10 sec to start things off. If you find that it's underexposed, you can ajust the shutter time so that it's longer and/or open up the aperature a bit more. Reverse if over exposed. If you aren't comfortable with manual, you can try Tv mode and select the amount of time you want. I think depending on how many explosions you want to catch in one image, you can experiment with shutter speeds like from 1 sec or so to 15 or so sec's. It all depends on your taste.
Here's one I took at the Rose Bowl last year, ISO 100, Tv 5sec f22

Good luck and have fun.

[MagentaJoe]

Don't forget that you have to manually focus before hand.

[PIXI_666]

I set up my camera on a tripod, to bulb setting, then just used my cable release to do short exposures and long exposures...shorter ones seem to work better....
Its dead easy once you get the hang of it, practice with sparklers and candles...
(Oh and focus to infinity)

[Woolburr]

There really are no hard and fast rules for fireworks. You can shoot with a tripod if you want results that look like this:


But it is fun to handhold shots and get results like this:


Try ISO 100, f/5.6 and 1 second for starters...manual focus. The first time you shoot them, you may want to try a variety of settings...just to see what works best for you or what gives you the look that you are hoping to achieve. Fireworks are great fun and a great opportunity to experiment.

There is lots more info listed in this thread...Fireworks

[PhotosGuy]

Pyrotechnic Photography Techniques
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php?t=128028

Quick advice needed on Australia Day fireworks settings?
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?p=1118006

firework photography help
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/....php?p=1537103

[staciecd]

Do you have to use manual focus?

[Davinor]

Fireworks play havoc with the AF. Get there early, find out where the fireworks are located, get the camera on the tripod and focus on something near to where they are - then switch the lens to manual. After that sort out the exposure making sure that you have a reasonable DOF and leave the focus alone.

[daclozer]

wow, davinor.. That last pic is awesome. Nice work.

[PhotosGuy]

then switch the lens to manual. .. and tape the focus ring! (Trust me on this!)

[Davinor]

Fireworks are FUN, once you are set up just keep hitting the shutter button - not literally, use a remote release. After a twenty minute display I had around 150-180 images, by the time you have whittled out the garbage (total white out through to black with a lone streak of light) there are usually around 30-50 decent ones that you are happy with.
David

PS Daclozer - Thank you

[PhotosGuy]

If you got PSE with your 350 & if it has Blend Modes, you can group a set of single shots into one. In the Post Processing Tutorials List , look up PS Blend modes can make a shot out of "nothing"! Try them all to see what they will do.

The easiest way I've found to keep track of what each blend mode will do with a particular pic is to cycle through them with Shift+Alt+ (+ or -) to see the results. After a while you get a feel for what they will do.

[liza]

Here's a good link:

http://www.porterscamerastore.com/newsletter0605.shtml

I used a Tamron 28-75 and a sturdy tripod for my fireworks shots, which worked out pretty well. I also shot them in RAW.

[tmerrick]

Here is what I am thinking/planning on using:
Lens: Either my 70-200 f4 L or my 28-105 f3.5-4.5. Manual Focus set to infinity (probably)

Tripod and Cable Release

Highest quality: RAW + JPEG or just RAW

Lowest ISO: 100-200

AV: f8-f11

Shutter: Bulb – controlled by remote cable release (2 – 20 sec.) open shutter when you hear it launched

Custom Functions: Long Exposure Noise Reduction = True

Mode: Manual or Program Auto