How to shoot fireworks

[Groucho]

Yep, NostalgicDad and I have a few overlaps in our DL photo collections.

I've also never been given a hard time about a tripod, even when carrying it fully extended over my shoulder (though I only do that when it's not too crowded so no danger of hitting anyone).

Another thing to note about DL fireworks vs WDW, the DL ones surround you more than the usual Wishes fireworks, so you have fireworks going off all around you at various points. Plus there's many projections on the castle (not unlike WDW, though DL's smaller castle means that you have to be closer to see them well), and there are flaming pinwheels, bursts of flame behind the castle, etc... basically, there's a lot to see! Some things will show best from close-up, some will be best from farther back - there's no "ideal" location IMHO.

 

[NostalgicDad]

Some things will show best from close-up, some will be best from farther back - there's no "ideal" location IMHO.

I think this is the best advice yet.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Bumping for review. Hoping I can get a few keepers tonight and tomorrow night.

 

[bob100]

I tried last night but the fireworks lasted only 10 minutes and I didn't set-up properly so I only got a few good shots, a light pole got in the way !
next time I'll the time-lapse feature and plan ahead for location !

here's one -

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Do any of you know if there's any possibility of Nikon coming out with a 17-55 (or similar) F2.8 lens w/ VR? Just wondering...
The reason I ask is because I was taking photos of Fireworks tonight while on a boat and I ended up having to use my 70-300VR lens and bump the ISO to 1600, because the 18-135 kit lens wasn't happening even w/ tripod. (The boat moves & bobs.)
A friend who had the Canon 17-55(Or around there)L 2.8 w/ IS also had his ISO at 1600. His photos came out a lot nicer.
Now I get it. I finally found the one thing that I definitely need VR for - taking pictures on a moving boat. We're going out again today and I am seriously thinking about grabbing a new lens since I've been wanting one anyway. I just saw the 16-85VR. I know they have the 18-200VR, 24-120VR and 18-55VR. But the aperture starts at F3.5-5.6 on those. I don't even know if I can get these locally. I may be stuck having to get a 3rd party Sigma or Tamron 2.8 but not sure it'll make much difference w/out VR. I've been wanting one for sure, but for my purposes tomorrow will it make a difference? They don't have any kind of VR.
Otherwise I have the trusty 50mm/1.8 and 85mm/1.8. My friend said he thought I should have brought one of those 2. Then when he found out I brought the VR lens, he said definitely use the VR. I didn't believe him until I tried it w/ the kit lens and nothing was in focus. Then I swapped to VR.
Any help or ideas would be most welcome. Thanks!

 

[handicap18]

Well, your issue above everything else is the boat and it moves. Handheld shots of fireworks at a high ISO and very wide aperture leads to lots of noise. You'll get decent shots, but not like those from land with 3-10 second shutter speeds.

Last year in Disney I used my Sigma 30mm f/1.8 on my D50 with ISO 1600 and f/1.8 and was getting around 1/30th shutter speed. This gave me some ok pic's.

As for VR lenses in what your looking for, if Nikon did have one it would be upward of $2000. The Nikkor 17-55 f/2.8 is $1200 without VR. None of the 3rd party lenses in that range have the equilivent of VR.

With what you have, you may want to use the 50mm f/1.8 wide open at 50mm with ISO1600. Thats probably the best bet for being on a boat, though even with that you may get some blurry photos from the movement of the boat. Your shutter speed wont be very fast. Just try to time the bursts when you think they are at their peak.

 

[YesDear]

I agree with previous poster. In taking fireworks, light is not your challenge as much as movement. When I shoot fireworks, I use a tripod and a cable or wireless release to reduce motion from the camera. Movement is movement.

I have always felt that fireworks is something that take timing and practice to get good timing.

I have seen hand held fireworks shots before that are good but the photographer would tell you it was luck not skill.

 

[Gdad]

I doubt you will see that lens any time soon- they are not puting it on their new 24-70 FX equivalent.

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

Thanks for the input. I went out and bought the 18-200VR. I'm pretty happy w/ the photos that I took. I was able to get the shutter down to 1/10 at ISO 1600. Believe it or not I took about 700 photos. I'll post a couple of photos later, I haven't slept yet. The pics were definitely not the same quality as being able to use a longer shutter speed and low ISO, but still pretty decent. I'm sure I could fix the noise if I knew PP. If I had 2 cameras I would've tried the 50mm 1.8, but even w/ the VR there were a few shots in which the boat moved (or I moved) and you could see some motion blur, so I was really concerned about that. The ridiculous thing is that we were so far out tonight I could've used my 70-300VR as most of my shots were shot at 70mm. Oh well, live and learn. BTW, my copy of the 18-200VR has absolutely no lens creep whatsoever.

 

[seashoreCM]

For some fireworks you would use a long or short shutter speed depending on what you want the firework traces to look like in the finished picture.

For some fireworks you would wait until the burst is complete and use as short a shutter speed as you can.

Be careful about using too large an aperture, you could end up with washed out color.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[Groucho]

Don't fight the boat, go with it. Last year, I posted some shots I took from a boat of fireworks, done just like land shots - tripod, remote shutter release, etc - and they turned out pretty neat and some here seemed to like them.

I did it again this year a couple weeks ago and will probably be posting some once I get around to processing them - I think I got some really neat ones this year. There's no way you'll get same kind of shots that you'd get on dry land - so turn the the disadvantage into an advantage.

 

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

I have Kodak Easy Share Digital Camera. I know its not high quality nor professional grade but all I have at the moment. Is it possible to shoot decent photos of Disney's Fireworks with this type of camera and if so, how do I go about it?

Would like to get even just a few good ones for DGS photo album.
Trying to learn to take better images and am learning as I go along. Checking into some digital classes offered locally which I think will help me as well.

Any tips will be appreciated.

 

[StitchBelle]

I also have a Kodak Easy Share Digital Camera. I was able to get a few good fireworks shots when I was at WDW in 2005. (For some reason I didn't get any during my trip in April of this year).

I can't remember which setting I used on the dial, it was either the night setting or the Auto setting. I watched the fireworks on the camera screen and pressed the button whenever a nice shot appeared.

Hope that helps!

 

[ukcatfan]

Pretty much any camera will take decent fireworks shots as long as it is done correctly. No. 1 rule is to always use a tripod! Then if your camera has manual controls, be sure to use at least a two second exposure. I would leave the aperture around f/5.6 and the ISO low. If possible, use a remote shutter or a two second delay to prevent blur from pressing the shutter button.

 

[utkscvol1]

I have an easyshare z710 and took some fireworks pics this weekend. Some turned out good some not so good. On the turn dial if you turn it to scn there is actually a fireworks mode. I found that the actual picture was taken slower than the button being pushed.

 

[Tiggerlovinggrandma]

Thanks for the tips. We have a special city celebration coming up soon where they will have fireworks and it will allow me to get in some much needed practice before our Disney trip in January. I tried shooting some shots on the 4th but they didn't turn out too well. Mostly because it was way too smokey. Even I didn't stand a chance on getting good photos that night. No breeze so there
was a haze everywhere. It became so bad people left the end of it because you could no longer see the fireworks.
Such a shame.

Anyway if I can just get a few good shots of Disney's I will be happy. Something to mark my DGS 1st trip to Mickey Land.

 

[PegIra]

Hi,

We will be at WDW from August 31st until September 6th. I want to try and get some really good fireworks pictures. I have a Sony DSC H-5. I really like it, but know very little on how to change settings. I have some good fireworks I took, last Christmas, but truthfully don't remember what I did. I know I didn't change aperture, and shutter speeds or things like that, because I didn't know how. I am busy studying the manual, but thought some personal advise would be really great. I love taking pictures and usually take around 850 each trip. I also especially enjoy taking pictures of flowers.

Any help you all could give me would really be appreciated.

I am so glad I found this thread on the disboards.

Thanks again,,

Peg

 

[Chikabowa]

So I was just thinking tonight about the fireworks photos I plan on taking while at WDW in October. I wanted to find out where everyone's favorite location is for shooting? Since I've only been there once before, I'm not totally familiar with the best locations and was hoping to rely on those of you who make it there a little more often.

On at least a couple of the nights we're there, I plan on scouting my location and setting up camp early to keep my spot safe! For the record, I'll be shooting with a nikon D3 (on tripod) with a 14-24 f2.8 (unless someone suggests something different) on my camera, so I'll have some wide-angle action going on!

Oh... and if you can... post a photo. I can't get tired of looking at fireworks over the castle (or in epcot either!!).

 

[pxlbarrel]

Was in DL last night and got some fireworks shots... somebody's head is in the way... <sigh>

Was going to use a remote trigger to minimize camera shake but it was way too crowded to let go of the camera lest somebody knock the tripod down. As it was, I had to readjust a few times during the show because of people kicking the legs.

Here are just 2 of the shots ... (I need my desktop to do most of my photoshopping since I'm not entirely sure about light/dark on my laptop screen. I set the camera at f10, 4 second shutter, iso 200 and I'm using an 17-40 mm lens. A few of my shots are tilted badly - the advice to keep an eye on the horizon is very good advice.

 

[msr709]

I tried to buy a remote but no go, I bought a new Sony Cybershot W Series 130 thinking that they would have one and zilch! I guess I'll have to do the timer thing. Anyone have any advice about using the timer, what to listen for and what location is best at MK and EPCOT?? Wish me luck!