Fireworks - Bulb or set shutter speed?

[carolina_yankee]

For my first serious effort at getting shots of Wishes, I'm going to try f/16 or f/22 from what I've read. Should I use the bulb setting on my XT to control the shutter speed (perhaps leaving it open for 20-30 seconds as recommended in one book) or just put the camera on aperture priority and let it choose the shutter speed? ISO will be either 100 or 200. I've got two nights in the MK for our upcoming trip to try to get this right. Thanks for the adivce!

Dirk

 

[EpcoTim]

It takes some practice, but you can leave the shutter open, the use a piece of cardboard to cover the lens. Uncoveras the fireworks are about to go off, then recover and wait for the next set. Aperture will depend on your film speed and any other elements that might be in the shot, ie the castle or whatnot.

 

[The_CEO]

Bulb, so you don't have to depend on syncing the shutter with the fireworks.

 

[Laura]

For my first serious effort at getting shots of Wishes, I'm going to try f/16 or f/22 from what I've read. Should I use the bulb setting on my XT to control the shutter speed (perhaps leaving it open for 20-30 seconds as recommended in one book) or just put the camera on aperture priority and let it choose the shutter speed? ISO will be either 100 or 200. I've got two nights in the MK for our upcoming trip to try to get this right. Thanks for the adivce!

Dirk

Your settings sound good to me.

And definitely use bulb so you can control what fireworks get in the shot.

Make sure you have a tripod though! There's absolutely no way you'll be able to hand hold at f/16!

 

[JarettK]

Unless you have a remote shutter release cable, I wouldnt use bulb. Youll end up shaking the camera holding the button.

Keep your ISO at 100-200, or else your photos will be very noisy (or grainy with film)

Heres some links to fireworks tips:

http://www.calphoto.com/firework.htm
http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/fireworks.asp
http://www.nyip.com/tips/current/firewksintro.php
http://malektips.com/july4/
http://www.garryblack.com/fireworks.htm
http://youngbird.tripod.com/tips/nag_fireworks.html

 

[carolina_yankee]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations.

I will have a tripod and a shutter release, so it sounds like Bulb it is. I can see how that will give much greater control. I'm not sure I'm adept enough yet to block the lense with cardboard, though it sounds like a useful technique to learn. We'll see how well they turn out.

Dirk

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Careful where you stick the tripod legs - the last thing you want is someone knocking it as they walk by

 

[PhotoDave219]

Ummm Dont block the lens with cardboard... thats just stupid.

Otrher than that, Bulb it is. I tender all of my fireworks photos as examples.

 

[EpcoTim]

Why is that stupid?

 

[e4ymod]

Why is that stupid?

I wouldn't go as far as to call it stupid, but I only recommend covering for capturing multiple bursts at a "slower" fireworks show such as a local 4th of July celebration. At Disney shows, the bursts are continuous and I don't really see the point.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Why is that stupid?

Just seems pointless with the way technology is, with the stuff canon and nikon has, there doesnt seem to be a need to do anything so ... primitave... to capture firework bursts.... Id rather put the cardboard over an annoying light or some other better use for it.

 

[EpcoTim]

Well, maybe for the magic kingdom fireworks show its unnecesary, but for capturing multiple fireworks on one frame, its a great and simple way to do it. You could combine the photos in PS, but youd have to have no camera movement and that would take more time than I'd like to spend in front of a computer. And in the film days, this was the only way to do it. Works great on film, I havent tried it to much on digital, but I see no reason why it wouldnt work. But I guess since their are a lot of fireworks in one burst at the MK show, that might not be necesary. But you can fill an entire sky with hundreds of fireworks with that tactic.

I know what your saying about the technological state of cameras, but sometimes the old tricks still work wonders. I can't think of anything on any of my canons that could beat it.

 

[PhotoDave219]

True, BUT, all my shots with multiple bursts? Its not photoshop..... Its all shot at like f/22 .....

 

[EpcoTim]

True, and at ISO 200 I'm assuming, but for fireworks shows where theres a gap between rounds, you can over expose pretty quickly, and if the fireworks are weak, they don't show up right. This again applies to something like the Chicago 4th of July fireworks and less to the rapid succesion Disney displays. You can get close enough to Disney's, and they are nicey spaced and very bright.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yeah, youre right. The luminosity of fireworks (especiaqlly on Illuminations) varies a lot from shell to shell.... Its wholey annoyinhg.

Film is still the best route IMO.