show me your firework photos from Disney

[WDWFigment]

I'd recommend getting a wired remote rather than the wireless one. I used the wireless one for a while, but purchased the wired one late last year--much more reliable, plus many additional features.

I paid $15 for mine on either eBay or Amazon.

 

[digiMom]

This was a couple of my first fireworks shots ever. Seriously, I have very little idea what I'm doing It's obviously not as good the others on here... It was taken with an Olympus E-PL1, a micro four thirds camera. I used a tripod, but you can't use a remote with it.

f/6.3, ISO-200, 2 seconds, 17mm

f/22, ISO-100, 2 seconds, 14mm

 

[gruZ]

...I read that people use the hat.. or black foam trick to cover the lens. Did you do that or was it open the whole time?...

The shutter was open the entire time. I've never done the hat / foam trick, and while I haven't really thought about it, I would suppose it would do much the same thing - allow you to keep the shutter open for extended periods of time, capturing multiple bursts while minimizing over-exposure on static elements (like the castle).

The possible issues I would imagine are not taking the hat / foam away in time and missing the beginning of a burst, and also the (in my case anyway) very real possibility of accidentally hitting the camera lens and shifting the shot alignment slightly.

If you do try this, let me know how it goes!

 

[saintstickets]

I will be taking pictures of the MK fireworks from the Top of the World lounge at BLT. I have a Sony a55, tripod, shutter remote and 4 lens...50mm f1.8, 85mm f2.8, 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 & 55-200mm f4-5.6. I will purchase a ND filter before we go in 2 weeks so which of those lens would you recommend to use at that distance? Thanks for all the advice. I'm still a newbie and quite often what I read is way above my pay grade but I'm learning thanks to the DISboards!

 

[kgreen]

Thanks everyone! Is there a specific ND filter that I should look for? I have been searching and getting several diffrent ones & prices. It would need to fit my kit lens 18-105mm (size 67mm). Some one had recommended an ND8 filter? I just need pointed in the right direction.

 

[Pixel Dust]

I will be taking pictures of the MK fireworks from the Top of the World lounge at BLT. I have a Sony a55, tripod, shutter remote and 4 lens...50mm f1.8, 85mm f2.8, 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 & 55-200mm f4-5.6. I will purchase a ND filter before we go in 2 weeks so which of those lens would you recommend to use at that distance? Thanks for all the advice. I'm still a newbie and quite often what I read is way above my pay grade but I'm learning thanks to the DISboards!

I was at the Contemporary at about 24mm (on a cropped sensor, so about 35mm full frame equivalent). This was about 7 seconds f/10. I didn't use a ND filter for this but it would have helped.

Thanks everyone! Is there a specific ND filter that I should look for? I have been searching and getting several diffrent ones & prices. It would need to fit my kit lens 18-105mm (size 67mm). Some one had recommended an ND8 filter? I just need pointed in the right direction.

For this one I used a 0.9 ND filter, or 3 stops darker.

I feel like when you get too dark and capture a lot of burst it tends to look messy. It also becomes more difficult to expose the foreground.

 

[handicap18]

This thread.... How to Shoot Fireworks was started here almost 6 years ago and has over 1,000 replies.

Here is the 2011 Fireworks Thread.

There are a number of other fireworks threads as well including one for each year's photo contest going back to 2006.

 

[wbeem]

 

[kgreen]

wbeem, I love looking at the photo's you post! Very nice work!

 

[kgreen]

This thread.... How to Shoot Fireworks was started here almost 6 years ago and has over 1,000 replies.

Here is the 2011 Fireworks Thread.

There are a number of other fireworks threads as well including one for each year's photo contest going back to 2006.

Thanks for the link! I'll have to go do some reading!

 

[kgreen]

Thanks for all the input, & pointing me in the right direction! And for all the photo's I really enjoyed getting to see them!

 

[2Tiggies]

I have 2 questions.

Actually I seem to have thousands, but I'll confine this post to 2

1. Do you try and get your shots as early on in the show as possible to avoid smoke becoming an issue? Or is that not really a factor?

2. My Nikkor 18-105 lens is my walkabout lens. Would something like my 50mm f1.8 prime be better or should I stick with my all purpose lens for fireworks shots?

Thanks

 

[smooreo]

Hope you don't mind me butting in, but we're planning our trip for Oct and I would love to know, Franklin, if can you tell me where you were for all the fireworks? I read Missy's trip report (so fun!) and want dh to capture pics like yours. We've got an old D80 and are waiting for the new 300s or might just get the 800. Not sure. It's our first trip as a family and I have absolutely no idea where to position ourselves for all the fireworks.

TIA!

 

[coloneldebugger]

yep, tripods and remote release are the order of the day for firework pictures, but here are a couple I took by hand from the Contemporary

 

[Cafeen]

I have 2 questions.

Actually I seem to have thousands, but I'll confine this post to 2

1. Do you try and get your shots as early on in the show as possible to avoid smoke becoming an issue? Or is that not really a factor?

2. My Nikkor 18-105 lens is my walkabout lens. Would something like my 50mm f1.8 prime be better or should I stick with my all purpose lens for fireworks shots?

Thanks

I'm by no means an expert, but for #2, I'd think your 18-105 would actually be better. Wider is good as the fireworks do spread out from the Castle (or globe, depending on which show) quite a bit. You also don't have to worry about shooting at max aperture, since you're going to be stopping down a bit for longer exposures and more DOF. And zoom + lights can be fun

 

[YesDear]

Smoke may be a factor. That depends on the wind on the night of the performance. I have been on all sides of the castle and smoke truly depends on the way the wind blows. A small breeze is the best night unless that is where you are standing.

Since a fast lens is not needed for fireworks, your 18-105 should do fine. A tripod and shutter release are a must. Set your camera to bulb. That means the shutter stays open as long as you want. I try to fire the shutter right as the large fireworks are just getting ready to expand. Trial and error is part of the fun for me.

 

[YesDear]

Hope you don't mind me butting in, but we're planning our trip for Oct and I would love to know, Franklin, if can you tell me where you were for all the fireworks? I read Missy's trip report (so fun!) and want dh to capture pics like yours. We've got an old D80 and are waiting for the new 300s or might just get the 800. Not sure. It's our first trip as a family and I have absolutely no idea where to position ourselves for all the fireworks.

TIA!

I really cannot believe I am saying this.

If your current camera is D80 and you are looking to upgrade, I would recommend the D7000 over the 300s or the D800. The D7000 images are rated as good as the D300s and it has video. The D800 is truly an amazing camera but I consider it a pro or pro-sumer camera. At 36mp it takes an amazing image but very very large. If your education or skill level is a D80 the D800 may be too much camera for you. At least a more than reasonable learning curve to take advantage of what the camera really offers.

I love to see people move up in equipment but want you to feel comfortable. If you have a strong photography background and the D80 is just the DSLR you use, then go for the D800. You will love it! I have just gotten its' big sister and love mine. I am considering selling two other cameras and getting the D800 as my second camera.

 

[YesDear]

Hope you don't mind me butting in, but we're planning our trip for Oct and I would love to know, Franklin, if can you tell me where you were for all the fireworks? I read Missy's trip report (so fun!) and want dh to capture pics like yours. We've got an old D80 and are waiting for the new 300s or might just get the 800. Not sure. It's our first trip as a family and I have absolutely no idea where to position ourselves for all the fireworks.

TIA!

I really cannot believe I am saying this.

If your current camera is D80 and you are looking to upgrade, I would recommend the D7000 over the 300s or the D800. The D7000 images are rated as good as the D300s and it has video. The D800 is truly an amazing camera but I consider it a pro or pro-sumer camera. At 36mp it takes an amazing image but very very large. If your education or skill level is a D80 the D800 may be too much camera for you. At least a more than reasonable learning curve to take advantage of what the camera really offers.

I love to see people move up in equipment but want you to feel comfortable. If you have a strong photography background and the D80 is just the DSLR you use, then go for the D800. You will love it! I have just gotten its' big sister and love mine. I am considering selling two other cameras and getting the D800 as my second camera.

 

[wbeem]

1. Do you try and get your shots as early on in the show as possible to avoid smoke becoming an issue? Or is that not really a factor?

I shoot the whole show. Sometimes smoke makes a mess, and sometimes it makes a nice atmosphere. You won't know until you shoot it.

2. My Nikkor 18-105 lens is my walkabout lens. Would something like my 50mm f1.8 prime be better or should I stick with my all purpose lens for fireworks shots?

You don't shoot fireworks wide open, so either lens can work if it gives you the composition you want.

 

[2Tiggies]

Thank you so much Cafeen, YesDear and WBeem for taking the time to reply to all those questions

I'm really looking forward to trying some fireworks shots this year. I have never even attempted them as I had no clue where to start. If any of the pics come out okay I will share them. I will make a note of any further questions I think of so I can stagger them over the next three months and not ask them all at once