Fireworks!

[zackiedawg]

I never noticed this thread back at the 4th of July time, but just wanted to add a little detail for anyone looking to shoot fireworks in the future. Advice given by AW Boater and Dodger501 is in line with my own technique, and like Dodger I tend to start around F10 and go smaller from there - it does allow you to get away with longer exposures that still don't blow out during the bright bursts, and lets you often capture multiple bursts. Another idea that can be very useful is to use an ND filter - doing so allows you to get away without a too-small aperture (avoids diffraction and helps expose sky a bit better), and keeps the color of the fireworks bursts rather than having them look too white. I've gone so far as to shoot with a 9-stop ND400 filter, which is almost as dark as welder's glass! 30 second exposures at F3.5 still didn't blow out the scene.

 

BTW, to another who mentioned not having a fancy camera with lots of settings - you don't really need one. If your P&S camera has any longer exposure mode or capability to set anything manually (a priority mode, a scene mode for night shots, etc), all you need is a tripod and self-timer to snap the shots...even P&S cameras can do pretty decent jobs with fireworks. I've shot fireworks with P&S and mirrorless and superzooms and DSLRs - it's all about longer exposures, tripods, self-timers or remote releases, and a little bit of timing.

 

 

 

These two were done with a P&S superzoom camera, many years ago:

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Go some good results with these settings. Check your first few shots, then adjust depending on conditions. Find solid ground if possible. no decks or wooden structures that moving people will cause vibrations.

 

ISO 100

F-stop: F/11

Speed: 4 sec

Focal length 56mm (84mm effective in DX mode)

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I never noticed this thread back at the 4th of July time, but just wanted to add a little detail for anyone looking to shoot fireworks in the future. Advice given by AW Boater and Dodger501 is in line with my own technique, and like Dodger I tend to start around F10 and go smaller from there - it does allow you to get away with longer exposures that still don't blow out during the bright bursts, and lets you often capture multiple bursts. Another idea that can be very useful is to use an ND filter - doing so allows you to get away without a too-small aperture (avoids diffraction and helps expose sky a bit better), and keeps the color of the fireworks bursts rather than having them look too white. I've gone so far as to shoot with a 9-stop ND400 filter, which is almost as dark as welder's glass! 30 second exposures at F3.5 still didn't blow out the scene.

 

BTW, to another who mentioned not having a fancy camera with lots of settings - you don't really need one. If your P&S camera has any longer exposure mode or capability to set anything manually (a priority mode, a scene mode for night shots, etc), all you need is a tripod and self-timer to snap the shots...even P&S cameras can do pretty decent jobs with fireworks. I've shot fireworks with P&S and mirrorless and superzooms and DSLRs - it's all about longer exposures, tripods, self-timers or remote releases, and a little bit of timing.

 

 

 

These two were done with a P&S superzoom camera, many years ago:

 

 

 

I love your pictures.

Disney Land?

[zackiedawg]

Thank you - Disney World actually...the first few are at Epcot, and the last two at Magic Kingdom. Great place for fireworks shooting, since they have 3 different parks that each have their own fireworks...EVERY night!

[Tkaklita]

Here are a few of my favorites. I just settle myself in my camp chair, bulb setting, F9, manual infinity and hold the button down for about a count of 4 to 6. I've learned to listen and look for the little red light in the sky. I have even learned to move the camera to create some unique movement shots. Have fun and practice and any event you can.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you - Disney World actually...the first few are at Epcot, and the last two at Magic Kingdom. Great place for fireworks shooting, since they have 3 different parks that each have their own fireworks...EVERY night!

 

 

When we were younger -- we used to go to Disney World -- loved watching the fireworks at night.

At one time we could sit in the Rose Garden in Epcot and drink a glass of wine while watching the fireworks.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Here are a few of my favorites. I just settle myself in my camp chair, bulb setting, F9, manual infinity and hold the button down for about a count of 4 to 6. I've learned to listen and look for the little red light in the sky. I have even learned to move the camera to create some unique movement shots. Have fun and practice and any event you can.

 

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Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Great pictures - we don't attend too many events any more -- can't stand the mobs.