Fireworks pics

[princessap]

Just wondering what setting and lens people are using to capture wishes?

 

[mom2rtk]

Actually the lens choice isn't that critical. What is critical is to stabilize your camera, either by putting it on something like a trash can, or by bringing a tripod.

Then you'll want to do the following:

1) Use a low ISO (100 or 200)

2) Use a small aperture (11 or so is good)

3) Use a long shutter speed (4-7 seconds is good)

4) If your lens has IS, turn it off.

5) Use a remote shutter release, or a time delay shutter, to avoid camera movement.

Then time to the bursts and have fun!

 

[photo_chick]

mom2rtk summed it up nicely. I'll just add that some photographers like to use a neutral density filter when getting fireworks as well. It will let you make the shutter speed even longer.

 

[mom2rtk]

mom2rtk summed it up nicely. I'll just add that some photographers like to use a neutral density filter when getting fireworks as well. It will let you make the shutter speed even longer.

Thanks phootochick.

And I'll just add. Don't forget to bring that nice little bracket that attaches your camera TO the tripod.

Sounds simple, right?

Don't ask how I know this. You know, other than common sense.

 

[wiigirl]

Thanks phootochick.

And I'll just add. Don't forget to bring that nice little bracket that attaches your camera TO the tripod.

Sounds simple, right?

Don't ask how I know this. You know, other than common sense.

LOL...happened to me a few times.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

mom2rtk summed it up nicely. I'll just add that some photographers like to use a neutral density filter when getting fireworks as well. It will let you make the shutter speed even longer.

Some of the shots I have seen with the ND filter have been spectacular. The downside is you may only get a few shots per show because of the length of the open shutter. Before attempting the ND, you may want to watch the fireworks show at least once so you can get the timing so you can obtain the best effects.

 

[mom2rtk]

Some of the shots I have seen with the ND filter have been spectacular. The downside is you may only get a few shots per show because of the length of the open shutter. Before attempting the ND, you may want to watch the fireworks show at least once so you can get the timing so you can obtain the best effects.

I thought about buying a ND filter for this past trip. So glad I didn't now. I've hear ND filters don't work very well without a tripod bracket......

 

[havoc315]

Actually the lens choice isn't that critical. What is critical is to stabilize your camera, either by putting it on something like a trash can, or by bringing a tripod.

Then you'll want to do the following:

1) Use a low ISO (100 or 200)

2) Use a small aperture (11 or so is good)

3) Use a long shutter speed (4-7 seconds is good)

4) If your lens has IS, turn it off.

5) Use a remote shutter release, or a time delay shutter, to avoid camera movement.

Then time to the bursts and have fun!

*This*

A perfect, simple how-to, on how to get fireworks shots that will make people lust after your photos.

The only thing I can add --- is remember that you're basically shooting blind. Since you are talking about approximately a 7 second shutter release -- You're anticipating what the next 7 seconds will bring. So I'd simply keep snapping the shutter ever 7 seconds (or whatever shutter speed you use).
Walk away at the end of the night with 50+ shots.... And if you followed these instructions, a handful of those 50 shots will be magnificent.

 

[boBQuincy]

Some of the shots I have seen with the ND filter have been spectacular. The downside is you may only get a few shots per show because of the length of the open shutter. Before attempting the ND, you may want to watch the fireworks show at least once so you can get the timing so you can obtain the best effects.

Another good reason to use a ND filter is to avoid a loss of sharpness from diffraction. This is mostly on smaller sensors but it can be noticeable on 1" sensors at f/8 or above, micro 4/3 at f/11, and APS-C at f/16.
The loss is not noticeable at any aperture when we forget the tripod clamp. Or the remote release, not that I would know anything about forgetting that.

 

[DSLRuser]

Actually the lens choice isn't that critical. What is critical is to stabilize your camera, either by putting it on something like a trash can, or by bringing a tripod.

Then you'll want to do the following:

1) Use a low ISO (100 or 200)

2) Use a small aperture (11 or so is good)

3) Use a long shutter speed (4-7 seconds is good)

4) If your lens has IS, turn it off.

5) Use a remote shutter release, or a time delay shutter, to avoid camera movement.

Then time to the bursts and have fun!

What he said.

 

[DSLRuser]

Some of the shots I have seen with the ND filter have been spectacular. The downside is you may only get a few shots per show because of the length of the open shutter. Before attempting the ND, you may want to watch the fireworks show at least once so you can get the timing so you can obtain the best effects.

I pretty much have my setting down. After I get framed up, and fire one or two test shots, i turn on my interval timeer on my D7000. Every 5 seconds, I take a 5 second exposure for the entire length of the show. that way I get to watch the show with my eyes, and let the camera do its thing.

I get some keepers, and some throw aways, but it works well.

 

[mom2rtk]

Or the remote release, not that I would know anything about forgetting that.

LOL, I had TWO of those along. Not that it helped. The bad part is that I had the dumb thing in my backpack all week. I just left it in the room by accident when I repacked it that morning.

I usually just leave the bracket on my camera when I'm at Disney to avoid this sort of thing. But I got a Black Rapid strap last year so that wasn't possible.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Actually the lens choice isn't that critical. What is critical is to stabilize your camera, either by putting it on something like a trash can, or by bringing a tripod.

Then you'll want to do the following:

1) Use a low ISO (100 or 200)

2) Use a small aperture (11 or so is good)

3) Use a long shutter speed (4-7 seconds is good)

4) If your lens has IS, turn it off.

5) Use a remote shutter release, or a time delay shutter, to avoid camera movement.

Then time to the bursts and have fun!

Should add where/how to focus to the list and it could be a sticky!

 

[mom2rtk]

Should add where/how to focus to the list and it could be a sticky!

Ahhhh! I kept feeling like I had missed something. I usually either focus to infinity, or focus on the castle, then switch to manual focus so the camera won't waste time searching for focus with each shot.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Ahhhh! I kept feeling like I had missed something. I usually either focus to infinity, or focus on the castle, then switch to manual focus so the camera won't waste time searching for focus with each shot.

I manually focus to infinity and then slightly bring it back. Because of the large depth of field, the fireworks (which are mostly way behind the castle) and the castle will both be in focus.

 

[wbeem]

Just wondering what setting and lens people are using to capture wishes?

Tom Bricker does great fireworks photos. He has an eBook on his site showing how he gets those shots. I've tried shooting some of my own and they're OK, but nothing like Tom's work. He's phenomenal at fireworks, so I'd suggest you learn from one of the best.

 

[mikegood2]

Great post and responses. Hopefully I'll be able to get photos of Wishes this summer. My last trip we ended up switching nights for the parade and fireworks when we were at thE MK, so unfortunately I didn't have my DSLR and tripod with me.

We are going mid June, so the crowds level will be high. Any suggestions of where to shoot from? Advice on best way to position a tripod and at the same time keep them out of the way of others?

Sent from my iPad mini using DISBoards

 

[BBQMonster]

One thing I did last year that helped a lot was to watch a video of Wishes on YouTube several times before our trip. Kind of helped me get an idea of what was going to happen at certain parts of the show.
BBQMonster

 

[photo_chick]

Thanks phootochick.

And I'll just add. Don't forget to bring that nice little bracket that attaches your camera TO the tripod.

Sounds simple, right?

Don't ask how I know this. You know, other than common sense.

I learned this lesson myself one time. It also doesn't matter what settings you use when you forget the memory card.

 

[Pixel Dust]

But I got a Black Rapid strap last year so that wasn't possible.

I use a black rapid strap but keep my Manfrotto tripod mount attached at the same time with and adapter. I can't forget it, since it's always attached.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/734696-REG/Black_Rapid_RFH_1E0_FastenR_T1_for_Manfrotto_200PL_14.html

It's basically a beefier screw, that replaces the screw on the tripod mount (bracket).