How to shoot fireworks

[boBQuincy]

Taken with a Xsi:

File: _MG_1576.JPG
File size: 4,418KB
Camera Model: Canon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XSi
Firmware: Firmware Version 1.0.9
Date/Time: 2009:02:09 21:11:41
Shutter speed: 3 sec
Aperture: 16
Exposure mode: Manual
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Evaluative
Drive mode: Single frame shooting
Self-timer: 10 secs
ISO: 100
Lens: 24 to 105mm
Focal length: 24mm
AF mode: Manual focus
Image size: 4272 x 2848
Rotation: none
Image quality: Fine
White balance: Auto
Color space: AdobeRGB
Saturation: Normal
Contrast: Normal
Sharpness level: 3
Tone: Normal

Btw, some notes: none of the image settings mattered since I was using RAW; the exposure mode didn't matter since I was using Manual; and the 10 second timer was overruled by the infrared remote.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Well wouldn't it be ideal for one of the Pentax users to post the exif data for lazy people like myself! Lol, c'mon Ukat... save us from ourselves!

 

[wildeflowers]

Best method is to tripod it, get a decent depth of field using a small aperture (high f stop numbers) and leave the shutter open a decent amount of time. How long really just depends on how many fireworks you want in the shot, as you will only be getting exposure when the fireworks fire, not very much at all in the between times when it's dark.

 

[Bdawg]

Well this past weekend was my first ever try at shooting fireworks, Odly enough the fireworks came out clear and the castle a little blurry. I have a canon xsi with the stock lens so I am sure that didn't help but I tried to focus on the castle before it got dark and then flipped it over to manual focus.
All of theses were shot from in front of the Crystal Palace. I welcome any criticism and/or suggestions.

 

[Gdad]

Looks better than my first try at fireworks- that's for sure. Was this on a tripod? Did you use a remote trigger?

 

[Master Mason]

Well this past weekend was my first ever try at shooting fireworks, Odly enough the fireworks came out clear and the castle a little blurry. I have a canon xsi with the stock lens so I am sure that didn't help but I tried to focus on the castle before it got dark and then flipped it over to manual focus.
All of theses were shot from in front of the Crystal Palace. I welcome any criticism and/or suggestions.

Agree with Gdad that this was better than my first attempt as well.

However I disagree that the fireworks are clear and the castle blurry, they are equal, it is just more noticable on the castle, because the fireworks are brighter.

You said you focued on the castle and then switched to manual, it might have been better at that distance just to put it on manual and set to max distance, you were far enough away that max was going to be the focus point anyway. Then I would echo Gdads questions on tripod and remote shutter release.

But all in all, a very good first try.

 

[RBennett]

One question I have is, you didn't run a noise reducer through it did you? Sometimes when I try this you will lose a lot of detail and it can sometimes cause the overall picture to come out a little blurry or "soft". Overall though, GREAT color and composition!

 

[Gdad]

With the camera settings of 21mm at f8 I would say the blur almost surely has to be from vibration and not the focus point. I'm guessing bulb mode holding the button down on the camera- but just a guess.

 

[Bdawg]

With the camera settings of 21mm at f8 I would say the blur almost surely has to be from vibration and not the focus point. I'm guessing bulb mode holding the button down on the camera- but just a guess.

Bingo! I had it set to BULB mode, used a tripod and a homemade remote trigger.

Is there a better way to shoot them? This is my first DSLR but I try to read all I can and get out and put it to use.

One question I have is, you didn't run a noise reducer through it did you? Sometimes when I try this you will lose a lot of detail and it can sometimes cause the overall picture to come out a little blurry or "soft". Overall though, GREAT color and composition!

No I didn't use a noise reducer, should have I? I used a REAL basic program to adjust a little... maybe I should throw it in to Photoshop.. would that help? I didn't do that because the image was already blurry and didn't think much of anything would help that.

However I disagree that the fireworks are clear and the castle blurry, they are equal, it is just more noticable on the castle, because the fireworks are brighter.

You said you focued on the castle and then switched to manual, it might have been better at that distance just to put it on manual and set to max distance, you were far enough away that max was going to be the focus point anyway. Then I would echo Gdads questions on tripod and remote shutter release.

But all in all, a very good first try.

Now that you mention the fireworks being a little blurry I see what you mean! Hopefully next time I go I will have a better lens also.

I was also using "Auto Whitebalance" since I didn't know what to use. Any suggestions with this?

Thanks again everyone for the comments and suggestions!

 

[mom2rtk]

Can you tell us about your homemade shutter release? You can buy them on ebay for next to nothing.

 

[Gdad]

I was thinking the same thing on the home-made release...does it involve you actually touching the camera to take a photo?

Also- what kind of tripod do you use. A sturdy model will probably make a huge difference.

 

[Bdawg]

The shutter release that I made does not require me to touch the camera. I bought a $5.00 hands free headset for a cell phone (the one with the little button you push to talk) then I cut the wires that went to the earphone and popped out the microphone and snapped the cover back on and it works like a charm! When you press the button it opens the shutter and then when you release the button it closes. It was pretty neat using it for the first time!

Here is the instructions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Remote-shutter-trigger-for-Canon-Cameras/

Gdad - I see you are right here in Tampa, I live in Bradenton and work in Clearwater .... and I bet the tripos is a big part of the problem! I am using a CHEAP tripod. I didn't even think of that but I remember reading that if you use a flimsy tripod that when the shutter opens it will shake..... Time for a new tripod

 

[Gdad]

I bet the tripos is a big part of the problem! I am using a CHEAP tripod. I didn't even think of that but I remember reading that if you use a flimsy tripod that when the shutter opens it will shake..... Time for a new tripod

There was a good tripod thread on here a while back- maybe someone can find it and post a link. I personally use a Manfrotto 055X PRO with a 486RC2 Ballhead and am pretty happy with it. You can spend a LOT of money on a good tripod but I think after a couple hundred bucks there is a pretty significant diminished return on investment.

Gdad - I see you are right here in Tampa, I live in Bradenton and work in Clearwater ....

I just finished a project in Clearwater last year- the Station Square Condo on Cleveland St.

 

[Golf4food]

If a cheap tripod is the issue you can make it a little more stable by hooking your camera bag onto it so the extra weight of the bag helps hold it down and give a lower center of gravity.

I actually prefer shutter priority over bulb mode for fireworks unless I want to get specific shot of a longer blast. Set the camera to 100 ISO (or lowest setting whatever it may be on your camera), put the camera in Tv (Sv whatever yours calls it) and set that to two seconds, put the lens on manual focus to infinity, and use the remote shutter release. If your camera has a mirror lock function you could use that, too.

Then just push the button - two seconds is usually enough to get nice blasts and streams - all fireworks shooting is mostly good timing and a lot of luck unless you really, really know what is coming. (There was someone on the boards a few years ago who had the Wishes show completely memorized (from video previously taken) so they knew exactly when everything would happen based on the music and could plan their photos from that. I'm not quite that insane... yet. )

 

[MomtoEmIs&Ow]

Haven't made it though all these posts, but this is something that I would really like to master! THanks for the tips!!

 

[acejka]

Has anyone here ever been there for them? How bad was it?



We are being trasnfered to Orlando in a few weeks, we were thinking we should try to get a room at bay lay tower by wait list (we have dvc-wow what a time to have it now that we will be living there) so we can walk back to the room after fireworks and avoid the 375 hours of traffic that is rumored to be backed up afterwards.

We were thinking of going to the Magic Kingdom, and staking out a spot on the train platform very early on. We are people watchers, and don't mind just hanging out for an extended period of time if it ensures a great view, and its not like we'd be wasting vacation hours.

If anyone has a link to pictures of the 4th of July fireworks from the platform, please send it my way! I tried googling, but I must not be googling with the right terms. THanks!

 

[Wingman]

Has anyone here ever been there for them? How bad was it?



We are being trasnfered to Orlando in a few weeks, we were thinking we should try to get a room at bay lay tower by wait list (we have dvc-wow what a time to have it now that we will be living there) so we can walk back to the room after fireworks and avoid the 375 hours of traffic that is rumored to be backed up afterwards.

We were thinking of going to the Magic Kingdom, and staking out a spot on the train platform very early on. We are people watchers, and don't mind just hanging out for an extended period of time if it ensures a great view, and its not like we'd be wasting vacation hours.

If anyone has a link to pictures of the 4th of July fireworks from the platform, please send it my way! I tried googling, but I must not be googling with the right terms. THanks!

Good luck, I don't have any pictures to share as the one and only time we went on the 4th of July I was just happy to get out of there with my kids. I have never seen more people in my entire life, walking up Main Street was like being on a pack elevator, except it never ended.

We left as quickly as we got there and I am not typically like this, but I really feared that my daughters would get caught up in the wave of the crowd, so I carried both of them all the way out of the park and they were not 9 and 6.

Just my two cents, I will never go back there on the 4th of July.

 

[Greyhound22]

Good luck, I don't have any pictures to share as the one and only time we went on the 4th of July I was just happy to get out of there with my kids. I have never seen more people in my entire life, walking up Main Street was like being on a pack elevator, except it never ended.

We left as quickly as we got there and I am not typically like this, but I really feared that my daughters would get caught up in the wave of the crowd, so I carried both of them all the way out of the park and they were not 9 and 6.

Just my two cents, I will never go back there on the 4th of July.

Our first experience at WDW and I'll never do MK on the 4th again. I had a 6 and 8 year old and I was also a bit nervous for their safety. Just so many people that were tired, irritable and in a hurry to get out of there at closing. I don't think that your plan is that bad though. You might want to bring your video camera, you might be able to get on America's Funniest Home Video's with some of the things you might witness.

 

[gojoe]

We heard how bad MK would be on the 4th. In 2008 and 2009 they had the same fireworks on the 3rd. It wasn't as crowded. We went to HS on the 4th. It's the only time they have fireworks at HS. As for pictures I was too busy being in awe. If they were only on the 4th and wall to wall people they're not to be missed. So don't miss them.

 

[Louiepipbgeeco]

Going this year over that time frame. My plan of action--avoid the main parks on July 4th and the evening of the 3rd. We will either resort day, water park or DTD on the 4th . I want NO part of it. Too busy for my blood.