Castle Fireworks Shot

[graeme1299]

What do you think? Handheld, H2.

 

[carolina_yankee]

Nicely done for a handheld. I love the castle colors. What was the shutter speed?

Dirk

 

[LilyLake]

I like it! What settings did you use? I have a new H5 to learn about.

 

[ukcatfan]

What do you think? Handheld, H2.

If you want complete honesty and are looking to learn from our reviews (which it sounds like you do), then I have some comments. If not, just ignore my post because it is a pretty shot.

I am a believer of using a tripod for all fireworks shots. You just cannot keep the shutter open long enough to do the shot any justice when handheld. It is also a little blurred at this size, so it is likely that it appears even more so at a larger size. It looks like the EXIF data has been removed, so we cannot see what settings you used. I am not familiar with your camera, but it probably goes up to f/8 or so in aperture settings. I would say try your lowest ISO, f/8, and about a 2 second shutter. You might have to adjust from that once you get a few test shots. If it is overexposed, then make the shutter a little faster. If underexposed, then try adjusting the aperture or ISO up until you get what you. You can also increase the shutter length, but having it open too long can sometimes make the shot too busy. You can likely use your camera's most open aperture if you had to considering that it is a p&s and the subject is pretty far away. The long shutter allows the fireworks time to fall through the sky, so try to keep it set that way.

For the composition, I believe that you should have backed up a bit or used a wider focal length and not filled the frame so much. You might also consider a different angle so that the castle and fireworks do not have to be centered in the frame. I personally like shots with the fireworks on the left and the castle on the right. It could also use some straightening and then a crop. The castle is leaning a little to the left. That is where having more empty frame to work with would allow for this.

I hope this helps and was in no way meant to be mean.

Kevin

 

[2x_dis_dad]

I shot this one handheld. I know I should have used a tripod but I think it came out well.

Exif...
1/4sec @ F3.5
ISO 200
28mm

Digital Rebel XT

 

[2angelsinheaven]

These were taken with a tripod on fireworks mode. Which is f 5.6, 2 second shutter speed, ISO 100. So I agree those setting should work. I think your shot is nice, love the deep colors of the castle. Fireworks/night shots are hard I took a ton and only got a few I liked.

 

[JR6ooo4]

What do you think? Handheld, H2.

Nice! very little smoke, which is good, in my mind.
I love the colored castle and the all white fireworks...

thanks for sharing,
Mikeeee

 

[graeme1299]

Thanks for all the comments folks. The exif data was f3.6, 1/6 sec, ISO 320. The shot was taken from the circle in front of the castle as this was the best spot for my DS7 to watch the parade and fireworks. I was in the parks all day so I didn't have my tripod. The pic below is from Parris Island on the 4th of July with a tripod. It was f7.0, 2" shutter, ISO 100.

 

[KimAshton]

Wow the castle ones are beautiful.

 

[JR6ooo4]

Ooooooooh, Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhh...

Nice!


Mikeeee

 

[Groucho]

Non-Disney fireworks are generally much easier because you don't have a static object in the picture (like a castle) so camera shake isn't as noticable.

The picture is OK but you can see that the castle is a little blurry and "soft" - 1/6th is awfully long to handhold, so you'd need some kind of support. Since you're using a PnS, a small pocket tripod could make a world of difference, as could a Gorillapod. There are many places where you can set up such things.

The steadying influence of a tripod, plus a slightly longer shutter time, would brighten and sharpen up the castle dramatically, and I think you'd be really pleased with the results.

 

[DebºoºS]

What do you think? Handheld, H2.

Nice shot Castle colors are beautiful. The fireworks look crackly.
It's sooo hard to get a good shot of the fireworks handheld.
That's always been part of my ultimate wdw dream day.

A Kodachrome day with perfect park pics topped off by awesome handheld castle fireworks shots