Coloneldebugger, your timing on those shots you posted was incredible!
Great photos!
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!
Shooting a fireworks show is a great way to get some pretty unique shots that don't necessarily focus on the fireworks, per se. So be on the lookout for those opportunities.
Here are a few examples:
A part of Illuminations where are basically just flames everywhere...
Lake Of Fire by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr
A moment of darkness during Wishes. The smoke actually helps to make a lighter background; therefore showcasing the cool silhouette of Cinderella's Castle.....
Running Out Of Wishes by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr
A crazy exposure that made for a nice surprise....
Wishes!!!!! by Scott Smith (SRisonS), on Flickr
Much appreciated, but shooting in burst mode helps a little there.
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
Some lenses focus past infinity at their furthest point. You can focus on something far away before the show begins and then switch to manual focus. Whether this is ideal depends on what else is in the frame and how close you are to it (such as the castle, for example).I've discovered a small challenge with the 18-105 .... It has no markers on the manual focus ring. Do you not set the focus to infinity?
Whether this is ideal depends on what else is in the frame and how close you are to it (such as the castle, for example).
You won't want to use autofocus because you'll likely miss some bursts waiting for the camera to decide it has achieved proper focus.
SSB
Darn trees.
(Don't sit in the smoking area in front of the plaza, and don't use the France end of the bridge in front of Chefs )
Amazing! Beautiful pictures!