MM - I bought my tripod and release to try my nightime/fireworks shots. Only problem the release did not fit my camera. And I specifically went to the camera store I purchase my camera from for this reason. Didnt have time to shop around or take anything back so I will try using timer function to get a few 'good' pictures this trip and be ready next time. Thanks again for the advice.
I'm sorry to hear of your equipment trouble but the good news is that the tripod is the most important factor and the cable release deficiency has a number of work arounds.
You could use the camera timer OR you could also experiment with depressing the shutter button. The problem with manually depressing the shutter button on the camera is that, depending on your camera, you may have to HOLD the Button Down for the length of your exposure.
I had a situation like this last 4th of July at home for shooting the town fireworks. I was using my Nikon D90 and my Nikon D60, both on Tripods, and they both used an identical model of remote release, so I had to manually depress and hold the shutter button on one while working the release on another. It was the most insanely busy shoot I've ever attempted and in the end the pictures on the manually depressed and held camera turned out just as good as the ones using the remote release.
Just be gentle when depressing and holding so as not to introduce camera shake and you'll do great!!
Here's another tip I just remembered.
When the fireworks being shot off are those real bright white ones I tend to not keep the shutter open as long because they tend to blow out (over expose) the shot. This is the sort of thing you'll have to experiment with and it will depend on your camera and it's exposure settings to see how it works out for you.
The other conundrum is that the longer you leave the shutter open the longer the fireworks 'trails' will be but then you risk losing the color of the firework. A lot of us use post production software like Photoshop or other programs to boost the color back up in our shots.
So take a bunch of shots and try different things and see what you get!
Keep in mind that the first couple of times you shoot fire works it can be a real learning process, one in which you are getting a feel for your camera and the settings and what you get if you do "that" sort of a thing. Don't get frustrated as it will get easier with time and experience. Shooting fireworks is such a fun thing to do so have a....
BLAST! doing it and try not to worry.
Despite all this you are going to get a couple of shots that will knock your socks off!
Good luck and for God's sake TAKE a nap!
You are worse than one of those kids that bounce around off the walls when they first get to Disney and then collapse from exhaustion on day 3!
Good Luck and have fun (and restful naps!)
~MM
without worrying about health issues.
