How to shoot fireworks

[Master Mason]

IMO a monopod would not do what you need for long exposure shots such as fireworks, you will need a tripod for it.

The last time I watched wishes, it was pretty empty it was in Feb, you could have sat the camera on the ground and it wouldn't have gotten anyone in it. so it just depends on the day and where you want to try and take your shots from.

If your going for a cheap tripod, just make sure it will hold your camera and lens combo, plus a little, if your at the very end, it will move around on you.

And as a word of warning, if you start using a tripod very often you will quickly be wanting a decent one rather than a cheapy.

 

[aripantaloon]

And as a word of warning, if you start using a tripod very often you will quickly be wanting a decent one rather than a cheapy.

I actually do have a decent one. It's just too big to be a travel tripod. There's no way it would fit into a locker and I don't think I want to stuff it into my suitcase. I've had it for a few years and have used it for both my camcorder and dslr.

Thanks for the info. I'm glad to hear that will be tall enough. We're going in May and I think the day we "scheduled" Wishes is the Sunday of Mother's Day. That might be a tad crowded. I guess I could take the baby and stake out a good spot early while DH takes our other DD4 on some rides.

How hard is it to a) save a little space for an average man and small child and b) have said parties get to us in the crowd closer to show time?

 

[Groucho]

I shot Illuminations last trip one night with a monopod and another night with the tripod - definitely go for the tripod. I even had the monopod crammed in the railing at a slight diagonal so it was braced front and back, but it could still rotate and move slightly. Certainly much better than handheld, but still not the 100% sharp tripod-with-remote-shutter-release quality.

As for the height... there's no good answer because there's so many places to stand and so many variations in crowd levels and what time you arrive makes a big difference, too. I'd say, bring what you're comfortable with, get there whenever you're ready (if it's a high priority for you, get there really early - I usually don't bother getting there too early but was still able to find half-way decent spots, but I go in quiet times), and look for the best place for the equipment you have.

I would say that 48" seems awfully short, though. I'm slightly over 6' and my tripod puts my camera up to my eye, I can't imagine using a tripod that I need to stoop down two feet to see out of.

And staking out extra spots is pretty risky, IMHO. Plenty of people do it but it's really not fair to the people who plunk down the whole family to wait. If it's really crowded, the rest of the family will have a pretty difficult time muscling through the crowd and will no doubt annoy everyone along the way.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I just got back from WDW and took the Dynex DX-TRP60 with me for the first time. I liked how compact it was, yet it extended to a height of 60" and can hold up to 7.7 lbs. It even came with it's own carrying case with strap so it was easy to transport...fit right in the suitcase!

TC

 

[aripantaloon]

Tuffcookie - AWESOME photos!!! Can I ask where you stood? The tripod you have is very similar to the one that I already own. It just seemed too big to lug with me. We have 2 small kids (and all their *stuff*) that we will have with us, so adding a giant tripod isn't what I was hoping to do. I don't think it will fit in a locker and it definitely won't fit under my stroller for the day - nor do I feel that it's safe there.

I will look for one that can at least reach my eyes; or higher. If I'm stuck in the crowd, a short tripod won't do me any good.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I was pretty close in front of the castle, to the side. I know I was surrounded by a sea of people so I kept my hands permanently mounted on the camera and tripod in case someone bumped it. I did not find carrying the tripod around a bother at all. Go to my thread showing my other pictures taken at WDW last week. That tripod helped me get some good shots of the Finding Nemo the Musical show.

TC

 

[Super]

Nice photos

How does a shorter exposure look?

 

[handicap18]

For my fireworks shots I used a travel tripod that when full extended is only about 44". This is tall enough to juuust reach over the fences around the parks (AK & EPCOT).

For Wishes I didn't extend the legs. Instead I put it on top of a trashcan and it made it the perfect height.

When folded up it is only 14" long and fit perfectly with room to spare in my backpack. and it was only like $25.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000165P5S

 

[aripantaloon]

Now I'm thinking of just taking my existing tripod to spare the expense, but I'm not sure of how big the lockers are in which I can store it for the day. It's about 24 inches long. Anyone know if it will fit into lockers at each park?

It is definitely tall enough when extended to go over some people's heads to get photos. I can put it on a trash can as well. I just don't want to have to lug it as it won't fit in the stroller basket (and I don't want it stolen). My DH is NOT happy with my "need" to take it. He's just no into photos and wants me to just enjoy the fireworks with the kids. I get that; I do. I will enjoy them with the kids. But then we can all enjoy them over and over again at home - which I know we ALL will like.

Why can't anything be easy?

 

[Master Mason]

My DH is NOT happy with my "need" to take it.

I just don't get this honestly. If you wanted to carry a pink flamingo around the park, why should he care? It's something you like, that should be enough.

 

[Gdad]

TC

Sweet!

 

[aripantaloon]

I just don't get this honestly. If you wanted to carry a pink flamingo around the park, why should he care? It's something you like, that should be enough.

Thanks! See, this is what I told him, in so many words. I said that nothing that I'm bringing, photography wise, was going to inconvenience him in any way. Camera goes in the bag (I bought a lowepro compudaypack as a combo camera bag and diaper bag) and the tripod will go in a locker. The bag will be on or under (if it fits) the stroller when we are walking as a group - camera in my hands, of course. While in line for a ride as a family, I can carry the backpack. If it's a ride the baby can't ride, the non-rider adult will have the stroller, so no need to worry about actually carrying the backpack. Maybe bringing a tripod is a little elaborate, but if it fits in my suitcase and it can go in a locker, what's the big deal?

He's also not keen on my bringing the video camera. If it fits in the backpack, it's coming. I can't recreate my DD's first reaction to the castle or other firsts. We take so little video of the family as it is.

Sorry to ramble, but it does irritate me when he complains about my photography "interfering" in his fun. I remind him that he spends more time complaining that I asked him to stop walking to pose for a photo than it would take for me to actually take the darn photo! He doesn't complain when looking at the pictures, that's for sure! I take pictures. You would think he would get that after being together for almost 12 years!

 

[Gdad]

I just don't get this honestly. If you wanted to carry a pink flamingo around the park, why should he care? It's something you like, that should be enough.

Right.

I dont know the exact size of the lockers but they are fairly high and fairly deep- my full size tripod fits in them without having to remove the ballhead.

 

[aripantaloon]

Right.

I dont know the exact size of the lockers but they are fairly high and fairly deep- my full size tripod fits in them without having to remove the ballhead.

Thank you! Both for the locker info and the support.

 

[Tuffcookie]

OP, Didn't your tripod come with a carrying case with strap? Wouldn't it fit nicely on the handle bars of the stroller?

TC

 

[aripantaloon]

OP, Didn't your tripod come with a carrying case with strap? Wouldn't it fit nicely on the handle bars of the stroller?

TC

Unfortunately, it did not. It's a sunpak from Best Buy that I got as a Christmas gift a few years ago. I'm fine with stowing it in a locker. Less to have to worry about while walking around. Plus, it's less that my DH can gripe about.

 

[Master Mason]

Right.

I dont know the exact size of the lockers but they are fairly high and fairly deep- my full size tripod fits in them without having to remove the ballhead.

I don't know the size either, but my tripod fit in the large size with the ball head attached. In the small size I had to remove the ball head. For it to fit, but mine just screws on and off so it was easy.

I also bought a wide Mickey camera strap that I have attached on one end to the ball head, and the other end will conect to the center bar so I can carry it over my back if needed.

Also something I learned at WDW last time is when you turn your key back in at one park, keep the reciepts, when you get to the next park on the same day you just need to pay the $5 Key deposit to get a locker at the new park, instead of the full fee again.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

what speed would you use for photographing fireworks.

 

[DizneyNutz]

what speed would you use for photographing fireworks.

I believe about 5 seconds is a good standard, but if your camera has bulb capability, then that all changes. If you have bulb capability, then put your camera on a tripod and use a remote shutter release. then try to time the burst with your shutter release holding it open as long as you want. Without bulb setting you can set your timer and still release with a remote, but you really have to be accurate with your timing. The below photos were taken using the bulb setting with a remote release.

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

thank you. I am hoping to get a remote before our trip. I know we have a timer , but you can't predict when the burst will happen.