Aggravated and need some reassurance.

[princesshannahsmom]

So, I have been shooting with my Canon DSLR for about 6 months now. I have mostly photographed nature, animals and people. I have been practicing with all of the settings and have viewed a few online "courses" on digital photography.

Well, July 4th is upcoming, so I have been focusing my learning on taking really great fireworks shots (great practice for the upcoming WDW trip). I have a good steady tripod and think I have mastered all the settings I should need.

Now, here is the dilemma. We ALWAYS watch the fireworks from the same place, on the boardwalk out over the beach where we live. I planned on getting there early, setting up in a good spot and lining up my shots (knowing where the fireworks go off). Well, DH sprung this on me today......we are going to view the fireworks from the boat. So, tell me, is it hopeless to think I am going to get decent fireworks from a darn rocking boat? If it matters we won't be in the gulf we will be in the bay (calmer) and its a 30 foot cuddy cabin boat.

 

[JKMJ441724]

Good luck. Post your shots for the rest of us once you've figured it out!

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Due to the motion of the boat on the water, you probably won't want to use the tripod and the recommended longer shutter speeds. You will probably need to use a faster shutter speed and just capture the explosions. You won't be able to get the flowing flower type images that you can when on solid ground. In other words, this will not be a practice session for WDW, but just the opposite.

 

[GrillMouster]

Make the best of it. Instead of trying to get perfect fireworks shots, just plan on getting shots of you guys having fun on the boat. When the fireworks start, get a few snapshots of you guys with the fireworks in the background (just to document where you were on this day), then put the camera down and enjoy the show.

 

[Marlton Mom]

You will have plenty of opportunities over a lifetime to take fireworks pix from land. Give them a shot on the boat but with the understanding that it probably won't work out the way you expect it to. Enjoy the boat this year and keep practicing for the next land based fireworks opportunity.

Happy 4th of July!

Marlton Mom

 

[mom2rtk]

Around here, some municipalities do their displays on other nights than the 4th. Some for example, will do them on the 3rd. Scope things out and see if you can find a practice session on the 3rd. Good luck and be sure to post back and let us know how it goes!

 

[tazlikesrobots]

I've been in a similar situation and managed to get a few fireworks shots while hand holding the camera. I'd basically set the ISO to 800 the shutter speed to 60, open the iris as far as it will go. Then I'd keep an eye through the viewfinder and squeeze the trigger when several simultaneous bursts occur. Not the best method, but at least I did get some worthy shots.

PS I must mention that I was very close to the fireworks show. This may not work if you are far from the show, but it is worth experimenting.....
___________
1st rule of photography - BREAK ALL THE RULES

 

[boBQuincy]

Try it anyway! It's free and the results may be interesting. Find a steady spot on which to rest the camera and take some photos at 2-3 seconds (f/11, ISO 100 to start), the rocking of the boat may provide some fun effects.

Try some at 1/15 second too so you have some that you know will be ok.

 

[alloyd1170]

Good luck! I tried that a few years ago in the same place-on a boat, in the bay in PCB. It was somewhat rough plus the added wakes of all the other gazillon people out in their boats watching the fireworks. Same thing back home-out on the lake, in the boat watching fireworks. Never have gotten a decent shot. Instead, I just shoot my kids' reactions and the sunset!