Last minute fireworks tips

[PhotoDave219]

Here's some last minute tips on photographing fireworks


Frame your composition nicely. Fireworks exploding over what is already a nice picture just helps.

You don't need a flash.

If you're photographing the Fisney show, I highly recommend watching it online (Steve's version is very good) to familiarize yourself with the show. Take notes even to know when you want to open the shutter or pan to a different shot.

If you have a DSLR, put it on a tripod, use bulb mode & a shutter release. ISO 100 & f/14 is a starting point. (If you're using a neutral density filter, drop to 5.6 to start.). If your camera doesn't have bulb, use the tripod anyways and leave it at around a 4 second exposure.

No tripod? Aim for 1/15th of a second, 2.8 at 800 ISO. Burst mode/motor drive will help.

Above all.... Have fun.

 

[Master Yoda]

Here's some last minute tips on photographing fireworks


Frame your composition nicely. Fireworks exploding over what is already a nice picture just helps.

You don't need a flash.

If you're photographing the Fisney show, I highly recommend watching it online (Steve's version is very good) to familiarize yourself with the show. Take notes even to know when you want to open the shutter or pan to a different shot.

If you have a DSLR, put it on a tripod, use bulb mode & a shutter release. ISO 100 & f/14 is a starting point. (If you're using a neutral density filter, drop to 5.6 to start.). If your camera doesn't have bulb, use the tripod anyways and leave it at around a 4 second exposure.

No tripod? Aim for 1/15th of a second, 2.8 at 800 ISO. Burst mode/motor drive will help.

Above all.... Have fun.

Are you sure about that? I would think that adding a bright flash of light to a bright flash of light would make the fireworks flashier.

 

[NowInc]

You mean like how I hear people talk about how they are turning the flash on to get a better picture of the castle?

 

[PhotoDave219]

You mean like how I hear people talk about how they are turning the flash on to get a better picture of the castle?

Nope, the castle is illuminated fine without one.

 

[ddbowdoin]

Manual focus to infinity... AF will hunt like a mother

 

[emcclay]

Come on- I like flashing people!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Come on- I like flashing people!

Heeheeeheeee Exceptions can be made

 

[ddbowdoin]

Just got back from a fireworks show... Don't bring an iPad camera.

 

[ddbowdoin]

last night it was every 9 seconds a flash would go off...

(facepalms) I wonder how those came out...

 

[PhotoDave219]

last night it was every 9 seconds a flash would go off...

(facepalms) I wonder how those came out...

I videotaped all 7 nights of the fireworks. Holy crap, so many people not knowing what theyre doing....

 

[ddbowdoin]

I videotaped all 7 nights of the fireworks. Holy crap, so many people not knowing what theyre doing....

It is truly amazing... A quick google search solves everything. Realistically you don't even need that nice of a camera, just some manual controls and there is even a "fireworks mode" on cheap cameras. A 4 dollar tripod is all most people would need.