How to shoot fireworks

[pxlbarrel]

The people who are setting ISO at 1600 are probably hand holding the camera. The others on the lowest setting are using tripods. HTH!

I find that if I put my ISO at 1600, there's way too much noise in the dark areas. Even when I put it down to 800, there more noise than I would want. This is the first time I've used 200 and it's given me the best results so far.

 

[Shan-man]

I would be surprised if even a cheap digital would not go above F8.

Having said that, I really think trying to shoot fireworks with point and shoot is like "spittin into the wind" Even with my D70 I use a tripod and a remote shutter release because even my finger hitting the button alters the shot.

If you can't use a remote with your camera, use a timer. Mine has a 2 sec timer that works great to let me get my finger off of the camera and for it to settle down before the exposure. Timing is not too much of an issue for me since I prefer longer exposures than most here seem to suggest... I like the long trails and multiple bursts 8 secs affords me.

 

[Wingman]

We are driving. I'm not sure when we will be in some large cities and at what time (if the store would be open when we were there). I know we will be going back in a few years so if we aren't able to get good pictures this time then we can get them next time. Or so I hope.

We shall see. If we don't end up getting the lens then we'll see how the pictures turn out. Hopefully they won't be too bad if we don't get the lens.

Just remember when you zoom the aperture is going to change, so you shutter speed will as well. As the aperture number gets bigger, the lens lets less light in, so the shutter speed get slower and you pictures get blurrier due to motion and camera shake.

Take some samples while you are waiting and see if you can get an idea of what the results will be before the parade starts.

 

[tigger_03]

Just remember when you zoom the aperture is going to change, so you shutter speed will as well. As the aperture number gets bigger, the lens lets less light in, so the shutter speed get slower and you pictures get blurrier due to motion and camera shake.

Take some samples while you are waiting and see if you can get an idea of what the results will be before the parade starts.

Thank you.

I had planned to snap some pictures prior just to get a feel for it and see what settings work best. I also just found out that SpectroMagic will only be shown one night while we are there (we will be there for 7 days) due to a bridge being closed for refurbishment. I don't even know if we will be staying to see it. We had planned to leave earlier that day (our last day there) but right now we are deciding if we will stay to see it or not. They will instead be showing the Dreams Come True parade twice a day. We shall see if we can see it at the later time or not.

 

[mousetravel]

I can not get my camera to take fireworks pics. I set my camera to the correct setting, but when I try to snap the pic, the camera light just flashes like it's trying to snap, but can't. I'd like to get this figured out before upcoming trip.

 

[choirchic]

DH has a new Nikon D80 and we want to get some nice pics of the Fireworks in the parks...any tips?

 

[My2Girls66]

This should help
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1474329

 

[choirchic]

Thanks for that - I e-mailed it to my DH.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

So glad I found this thread before I went. Its answered all my questions bar one. I don't wanna take a big tripod over to the US but if the chance arises and I can find an area that's suitable I would want to use a tripod to catch some good firework images. I have a Canon 300 with a Canon Ultrasonic 28-135mm Lens.

So can anyone suggest a suitable table-top tripod.

cheers

 

[clairemolly]

Thanks for the tips.

Here are some "practice" shots.
It's not wishes but the local theme park has a nightly show. Great for practicing.

The technical details...
D70: Manual Mode, ISO Auto: OFF. ISO 200, F/9, shutter set to Bulb. wireless shutter release. The camera was resting on the roof of the car on a bean bag.

things in improve: better location.. the street lamps in the parking lot added unwanted lens flare. Had to negotiate the two trees in the foreground and the Eiffel Tower is a distraction.

all the pictures...here

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Great shots Clairemolly. Interesting that you used a beanbag, had always been curious about those but worried that on a semi-long exposure they would not provided the rock-solid positioning that you need. Given the shots you have posted I may consider a beanbag in preference to a tripod. Have you chosen a beanbag over a tripod for any specific reason?

 

[clairemolly]

Have you chosen a beanbag over a tripod for any specific reason?

Honestly, this was the first time I used the beanbag. I had read that it was a convenient option to a tripod. My wife (who posts under this ID) made me one yesterday in about 30 minutes w/ $5 worth of materials. I wasn't sure where I'd be when it was time for the fireworks to start: in the park, at the car, large crowd, or small crowd; so I didn't think the tripod was an option.

At Disney, I'm still considering a monopod or a gorilla pod.

 

[handicap18]

So glad I found this thread before I went. Its answered all my questions bar one. I don't wanna take a big tripod over to the US but if the chance arises and I can find an area that's suitable I would want to use a tripod to catch some good firework images. I have a Canon 300 with a Canon Ultrasonic 28-135mm Lens.

So can anyone suggest a suitable table-top tripod.

cheers

Gorillapod. They have a dSLR version. Easy to use and small enough to fit in a carry on bag and easily fit in a backpack if thats what you carry around the parks. Great to use on top of the trashcans around Disney.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Thanks Handicap18,

I ordered a slr gorillapod last night. Will get lots of use from it beyond simply shooting at Disney so its a good investment.

 

[Hibino]

Well had some fireworks in Brisbane on the weekend so I decided to get some practice in. First time I've ever shot fireworks. Got in there about 2 seconds before they started so I had a bad spot. Tell me what you guys think.

 

[Mic_n_Min]

Question for those of you who took your fireworks around Casey's Corner. What lens did you use? Trying to decide which lenses to bring with me next week. My favorite is my Tamron 28-75 2.8, just not sure if it is going to be wide enough.

Thanks for any advice/help you can offer!

 

[Shan-man]

Well had some fireworks in Brisbane on the weekend so I decided to get some practice in. First time I've ever shot fireworks. Got in there about 2 seconds before they started so I had a bad spot. Tell me what you guys think.

Oh, I really like them. Looks like you did a long exposure (4-8 secs?). I personally love the long trails and the extra exposure you get on the clouds. Rock-solid mount to, the foreground elements are nice and sharp. Very good, I'd say... thanks for sharing.

 

[Dr_Finkelstein]

Great shots Hibino

The long trails you have captured really make the pictures stand out and add a new dimension to them. Looking forward to trying to capture something as interesting at MK and Epcot next week. Got my Gorillapod support this weekend, endless hours of fun to be had simply wrapping the thing round poles and lamposts.

 

[Hibino]

Thanks guys. Can't wait to get to Disney and take some shots of the fireworks!

Exposures ranged from 2-8 seconds.

 

[handicap18]

Question for those of you who took your fireworks around Casey's Corner. What lens did you use? Trying to decide which lenses to bring with me next week. My favorite is my Tamron 28-75 2.8, just not sure if it is going to be wide enough.

Thanks for any advice/help you can offer!

Both times I set up in that area I used my standard zoom (18-70 or 18-135mm).

One year I set up at about 34mm and another year I set up around 25mm. Looking at both results I like the slightly tigher shots from around the 34mm range better:

34mm focal length:

26mm focal length:

Both were taken from the exact same trashcan spot. I'd guess there was some movement of the can a few feet. The first one is from June '06 and the 2nd one is from Dec '07.