How to shoot fireworks

[meliahz]

Subscribing . . . I've been researching this and would like to get all the tips I can before our December trip!!!

 

[Groucho]

I got my fireworks shots from this year online now... I took around 90 and ended up with 14 "keepers". I did make a mistake and set the camera for ISO 400 - this caused some of the trails to get blown out more than they should have been. ISO 200 would have been a better choice.

One thing that's both good and bad about shooting "regular" fireworks (ie, just fireworks, not fireworks and a foreground object like the castle at a Disney park) is that it's tough to tell exactly what the white balance should be. It's easy to end up with a brownish sky and without knowing exactly what color the fireworks were, you have no frame of reference to get correct colors.

The good part of this is that you're more free to tweak colors with little regard to reality, which is what I did with several of these - saturation cranked way up, etc.

They started with some short ones...

...some basic standard fireworks...

This one is pretty cool in high resolution, you can see lots of individual fireworks and their trails...

Here's the launching area... there were several guys running around from one firework to another, lighting them off. One firework exploded on the ground but it didn't seem to slow them down at all, so apparently no one was hurt.

My next fireworks photos should be taken in Disneyland, I'm looking forward to those.

 

[bostran1]

Well this thread has totally convinced me to get a tripod ASAP. Unfortunately, we had rain up in Boston on the 4th so I was a little leary of taking my camera out for practice (actually I just watched them on TV!). But, I have a feeling a tripod and remote shutter release will be in my future unless I can survive on the timer!

 

[jfulcer]

What about video taken with my S2?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh3aoa8btps

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE9DoeGR0RE

I didn't take any that turned out really well - forgot the tripod. I did take these couple with my DD's 'star glasses' she was watching the fireworks through:

(one of the few that did turn out)

 

[TriMom]

My turn -

I took pictures tonight at a friend's house. I have decided that professional fireworks are much easier to to shoot; you can predict where the fireworks will go off. It was a random guess tonight. The last shot is my absolute favorite picture that I took tonight.

 

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

"Community Days" is held every year over the the week of July 4th, just outside Reading PA's city limits. The carnival closes Saturday night with a spectular fireworks display. Here are some from last night's show, using Kodak C340 on fireworks mode without zooming. We were seated on the ground and I propped my elbows on my knees for stability. I may have had some focus issues from new chainlink fencing and a man in a chair holding up a cell phone taking pictures in front of me. I have cropped the originals.

This one I zoomed out 3x:

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Very nice, all. Here are some from our local bonfires on the beach.

This one was kind of strange - the only one that came out like this.

 

[Vicki1971]

You guys have posted fantastic photos, I've really enjoyed having a look through.

Personally I love firework displays but hadn't experienced anything until I went to MK last year. WOW!

Here's a shot from Reflections of Earth April 2007

I love this shot. We didn't have a great view, but the fact the trees are outlined makes it special. You don't get trees like that here in York in the UK . Plus my daughter took the photo, so its extra special.

 

[Dcanoli]

Okay, guys...some quick fireworks questions...

I'm purchasing an SLR this week--it comes w/an 18-55mm kit lens....

Is there a main lens you use for fireworks? Tele? WA? Prime?

...and tripod? trashcan? Gorilla?

Best spots? Suggestions? ISO setting?

 

[ukcatfan]

Okay, guys...some quick fireworks questions...

I'm purchasing an SLR this week--it comes w/an 18-55mm kit lens....

Is there a main lens you use for fireworks? Tele? WA? Prime?

...and tripod? trashcan? Gorilla?

Best spots? Suggestions? ISO setting?

You mainly want the sharpest lens you have that fits the correct focal length for where you are set up and what effect you are trying to get. Personally, I would not be likely to zoom much during the show, so a prime would probably be best as long as the focal length is alright. The speed of the lens(larger aperture) does not matter b/c you are going to be using ~f/16 or smaller anyway. As for tripod, you are going to be better off with a regular one b/c you will not be limited to places you can set up, but the other options are easier to transport. I cannot get myself to go near a WDW trashcan by the end of the day when the fireworks are scheduled. It may be WDW, but it is still a transh can.

Kevin

 

[Groucho]

All depends on how close you can get - but generally, you'll probably want to go fairly wide, so that's the lens you'd use. I shot some with a 16mm fisheye but most with my 18-55mm lens. I used a 28-75mm for 4th of July fireworks last week and it was sometimes a little bit narrow, though generally it worked fine and we were really close to the launch site.

I like using a real tripod. You'll also want to get (or build one, if you don't mind soldering and are getting a Pentax or Canon) a remote shutter release. If you're using a trashcan, you'd still want some sort of a tripod, and the mini ones are rarely very stable with a DSLR attached.

 

[Dcanoli]

Okay, so you guys are telling me that the 18-55mm should be fine....

Since I'll be a newbie to this, I don't really know what my "focal length" will be. I'm hoping to be somewhere on Main Street, but it gets so darn crowded there....

Where have you guys shot before? Any other suggestions? I guess, come to think of it, the only time I will be at MK for fireworks will be for MNSSHP and Hallowishes....so, it will be a little bit more crowded than usual....

...but I will still have Fantasmic to shoot....

ANYWAY....I am definitely getting the 18-55mm, I just wanted to know if I should get any other lens while Pentax has its rebates going on....so, it looks like I may be set on that right now....

...and both of you suggest a "real" tripod for definite fireworks shooting and a shutter release.....are you using the remote shutter release because of the amount of time the shutter will be open?

What settings do you normally use and what are you best suggestions for tripod/shutter release (i.e., W/M, Target, Internet stores, etc.)?

I know it's a lot of questions, but this trip, I am really trying to get the shots....

 

[ukcatfan]

Where have you guys shot before? Any other suggestions? I guess, come to think of it, the only time I will be at MK for fireworks will be for MNSSHP and Hallowishes....so, it will be a little bit more crowded than usual....

I really like the observation deck at the CR, but you need to be a few minutes early to be sure to have a spot on the left of the monorail or your shots might be partially blocked. The outside stairs are not bad either. My favorite is the top of the tower, but you have to eat at CG to get up there now. Inside the park, a good place is right at the hub or back on the deck of the train station, but it is a very hard spot to get and you might need to grab it a couple of hours before. That is not worth wasting my time in the parks IMO.

...and both of you suggest a "real" tripod for definite fireworks shooting and a shutter release.....are you using the remote shutter release because of the amount of time the shutter will be open?

Yes.

What settings do you normally use and what are you best suggestions for tripod/shutter release (i.e., W/M, Target, Internet stores, etc.)?

With just the kit lens, you do not need a very fancy tripod, but you might want to buy looking towards the future. I do not do much tripod work, so I have a cheap one. Groucho can offer better advice here. Also, I believe he has a link on how to make a shutter release for less than $10. If you want to buy one, remember that the ones designed for Canon Rebels also work. There are generic brands out there for cheaper.

Kevin

 

[Dcanoli]

I really like the observation deck at the CR, but you need to be a few minutes early to be sure to have a spot on the left of the monorail or your shots might be partially blocked. The outside stairs are not bad either. My favorite is the top of the tower, but you have to eat at CG to get up there now. Inside the park, a good place is right at the hub or back on the deck of the train station, but it is a very hard spot to get and you might need to grab it a couple of hours before. That is not worth wasting my time in the parks IMO.

Kevin,

Thanks for the tips....I've been resort hopping at the CR twice lately, but I always forget to go and look for the Observation Deck. I have no idea where it is...plus, we will be in the MK and won't be able to go to CR that day....BUT hey! A thought comes to me...maybe on our DAY OFF from the parks....Hmmm.....Have to work on that one....

As far as the train station, ITA w/you....I won't waste my time or my kids'/family's time sitting at the train depot.....I guess I'll just try and make do with what I can find on my own.....CR on my day off from the Parks might be the best scenario, unless I can sneak another Orlando trip in w/one of my husband's business trips.....

Now...what settings do you and Groucho normally do? I will probably end up donig some major photo. research about settings before I go and maybe even a class or two, but I thought I'd start by getting your quick recommendations....

 

[handicap18]

For settings I like:

Manual
Shutter speed: between 2 and 6 seconds. 5 works pretty good for me.
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 100-200

Other options: You can use BULB and release the shutter, then count to yourself as your watching and close it yourself once they've been going off, usually no more than 10 seconds

The spot I liked and used last trip was right near the information board near Casey's Corner. I set my travel tripod ontop of the trashcan and was good to go.

 

[We-Luv-Disney]

I have notes posted under my photos in my wishes gallery, including shutter speeds, aperture, lens used and location. here is the link http://www.pbase.com/catson/gallery/wishes_fireworks_spectacular

 

[Dcanoli]

I have notes posted under my photos in my wishes gallery, including shutter speeds, aperture, lens used and location. here is the link http://www.pbase.com/catson/gallery/wishes_fireworks_spectacular

Exactly what I was looking for. Do you keep this up? Because I bookmarked it, and I will probably refer back to it closer to our trip.

Thanks!

 

[Dcanoli]

For settings I like:

Manual
Shutter speed: between 2 and 6 seconds. 5 works pretty good for me.
Aperture: f/10
ISO: 100-200

Other options: You can use BULB and release the shutter, then count to yourself as your watching and close it yourself once they've been going off, usually no more than 10 seconds

The spot I liked and used last trip was right near the information board near Casey's Corner. I set my travel tripod ontop of the trashcan and was good to go.

Thanks for the tips...I see people like a variety of spot around the hub, so to speak, for great fireworks shots.

Thanks! I don't know why I was thinking much higher ISOs....I guess I've seen a lot of people posting high ISOs for the inside (i.e., dark) rides....

 

[handicap18]

Thanks for the tips...I see people like a variety of spot around the hub, so to speak, for great fireworks shots.

Thanks! I don't know why I was thinking much higher ISOs....I guess I've seen a lot of people posting high ISOs for the inside (i.e., dark) rides....

You would use a higher ISO if you were taking the shots handheld instead of on a tripod. The lower ISO will yield better noise and in the end a crisper looking picture. You still can use a higher ISO, but why bother if your going to use a tripod.

 

[Groucho]

All the photos in my gallery have the settings listed below them, and there's a ton of firework ones; you're welcome to browse through there to get some specifics. You can even search for "fireworks" and you'll find some of them - I'm still re-processing my photos from the last trip, and only those are properly keyworded, along with some local fireworks photos I've taken recently.

Here's an example:

16mm (Zenitar fisheye lens), ISO 200, 3-second exposure. Because it's a fully manual lens, it didn't report the F-stop, but it was probably F8, that's what I did most of my night shooting with as it's a pretty safe number where most lenses are at their sharpest.

I just noticed that that particular shot has a bogus shutter speed listed on my site - but it's right in the exif. If you're using Firefox, grab the "fxif" add-on (Google to find it); if you're using Internet Explorer (shudder), there's a stand-alone program that has an IE plug-in, I believe it's Opanda Exif. Either of these will let you right-click a photo on a web page and go into Properties to see exif data, if it's there.

Anyway, back on topic...

If you want to try the Contemporary, you can get good views of the Magic Kingdom from the fire escapes. However, they lock you out if you let the door close, so you can either have a sympathetic family member ready to open the door for you, or maybe jam something in to keep the door from latching. This shot was taken the morning of New Year's Day and someone had jammed a noisemaker in to keep the door open. Otherwise, you need to walk down many flights to ground level.

You could probably get some pretty nice fireworks shots from there. I also liked some that I took from the beach at the Polynesian, with them reflected in the water.

As for Fantasmic... that's tough, as it's dark and far away. I didn't really even bother last trip; if I did try today, I'd probably use the 50mm F1.4 and either have small details or crop the photo. Ideally, you'll have a long and fast lens (like a 150 or 200mm F2.8), but those can get expensive quickly, and I don't have anything like that. (Yet. )