Help with photographing fireworks??

[jacksmom]

I have tried taking pictures of the fireworks with my digital camera! They didn't turn out very well though! So, I was thinking of trying my very oooold, but good manual 35mm camera? I need help though deciding what lens opening,shutter speeds, and film speeds I need for a good night time photo??? Can anyone help?? Also just got a new Sony hc42 camcorder! Anyone have any tips on using that for night time??? THANKS!!

 

[dturner]

I have taken lots of pictures of fireworks in my lifetime:

I use a 35mm; I've never used a digital camera for fireworks.

biggest lens I have - telephoto;

You have to mount your camera on a tripod to be able to get the best pictures of fireworks;

Use the "b" setting on your 35MM for the shutter speed and hold it down for a couple of seconds per picture. You really need to do this on a tripod because any shake will result in a blurred picture.

I have also taken pictures of the fireworks at MK - but it was years ago (1980's) and I got out onto the ledge of the Contemporary with my tripod and camera, set it up and once the fireworks started I pushed down the button on the camera and held it (you have to do that when you use "b") for at least 5-10 seconds before releasing the button.

The pictures came out beautiful but it's a pain to get good fireworks pictures.

Good luck and I hope I didn't confuse you.

Edited to add: I used 400 speed film at the time but have had luck with 200 speed also.

 

[jacksmom]

dturner, Thanks for your help! Any idea about f -stop and shutter speed?? I need a "how to" book I quess!!

 

[AbbysFamily]

I have yet to try this for digital, but I have a good set of 35mm as well... I'd definately look into getting a book on photography (library or otherwiser). You ask about f-stop and shutter speed. F-stop is a no brainer, if it has you set it, then wide open. As for shutter speed, the suggestion of B (bulb) is the shutter speed. Usually shutter speed is measured in fractions of a second (1/100, 1/1000, etc).... You need SECONDS for fireworks shots. Thus a tripod is a MUST, and a remote trigger (I have one on which plugs in and gives you a couple inches of "wire" to the act of pressing the release doesn't shake the camera) is a plus too.

Other than a book, check out http://www.photo.net They have alot of good information, especially in the "learn" section!

 

[uva185]

I have taken some excellent pictures of fireworks with a cheap point and shoot digi-cam. It has a setting for fireworks, just click the button right before the firework explodes and it will capture the entire explosion perfectly!

 

[Janet2k]

For digital cameras, I just turn the flash off. Since I don't bring a tripod on vacation, I usually find a stable surface to place my camera on while it's taking pictures of the fireworks (so as to not blur the photos).

 

[MommaluvsDis]

I took a great couple of photos of Illuminations with my digital. I put my shutter on the slowest setting, turned the flash off and they turned out great!

 

[sharkbait-hoohaha]

Here's a link to a website I've used in the past.
Scroll down to the bottom and there are links to 3 different articles on how to
take pics of fireworks.
Hope this helps!

http://www.nyip.com/tips/current/firewksintro.php