How to shoot fireworks

[ILIKEWDW]

Wow!!! mrudman, your pictures are AWESOME!!!

I must tell I am the worst photograph ever, and that is why I am happy with my camera but my pictures are not as good as yours, but that is because of me, hahahaha

Hmmmm.... I just don´t know how to add pictures to my post

Can somebody tell me how to do it?

 

[figment41]

Thanks your pics are great

Anymore opinions out there

How are these cameras in poorly lit rooms??

 

[hbsprite]

A lot of the new Canon Powershot models have a fireworks "scene mode." I've gotten great results using this setting.

 

[mopee3]

Gonna see if this works.. haven't ever tried posting an album before..

All these pics were taken on intelligent auto mode.. I am definitely no camera expert, so love this feature of this camera.. makes it a total point&shoot type camera..

http://s577.photobucket.com/albums/ss220/mrudman41873/?albumview=grid

So where were you standing when these were taken and did you use the 10x optic zoom?

What no Tinkerbell shots?

Moe

 

[mrudman]

So where were you standing when these were taken and did you use the 10x optic zoom?

What no Tinkerbell shots?

Moe

We were standing directly in front of the castle.. maybe 100 ft from it? (no clue, i'm horrible with distances, lol!)... and those were with no zoom as far as I can remember.

Sorry, no Tink, This was my dd's 1st times at WDW, so at the time she was flying, I was making sure they were seeing her,

 

[mrudman]

Thanks your pics are great

Anymore opinions out there

How are these cameras in poorly lit rooms??

I've been very impressed with how it does in all lighting situations.. with the IA mode, it'll adjust the ISO to determine what it needs to be to get the best picture.

 

[Caskbill]

Since this is not DVC related, moving this thread from the DVC-Mousecellaneous board over to the photography board.

 

[ukcatfan]

The keys to getting good fireworks shots are a tripod (tabletop one on a trashcan will even work), manual mode, a good spot, and if possible a camera that allows the use of a remote shutter release.

 

[Groucho]

Well...I was there an hour and a half before the fireworks and set up the tripod at that time, so it wasn't like people around didn't know what my intentions were. It was packed, wall to wall people and if I moved, I'm sure I would've been blocking someone else's view -- so I didn't want to do that... You know, Karma and all that...I actually had a throw down on the ground to kind of help define my area, but it didn't matter. As soon as the fireworks was going to start this guy moved in. I looked down and he was standing on my throw. I honestly don't know what more I could have done to mark my territory. As I said, I didn't want to start a war...So I sucked it up...
RDCT is the best fireworks show ever. But unfortunately, I heard to save money on fireworks and personnel, they've cut a good 3 minutes of the show...
Next time I'll have to sick my DH on anyone who moves in like that!

Heh, I can see your frustration if you had your spot marked out. That DL at fireworks time can be a zoo! I remember trying to get through the crowd, and they have one-way paths set up between ropes and cast members with flashlights yelling at you to keep moving! It's a total madhouse!

I didn't hear about them shortening the show but I can believe it - that's a shame.

 

[GrillMouster]

"Great Digital Fireworks Camera"? I've never tried photographing Digital Fireworks, only Analog Fireworks.

Seriously, just about any digital camera will take good snapshots of fireworks. The keys are: turning off the flash, using a low ISO setting, wide focal length, long exposure (a few seconds), and stabilizing the camera. Since you originally posted this thread on the DVC forum I'm going to assume that you just want a camera that will do this for you in some "auto" mode.

Most point-and-shoot camers do have a "fireworks" mode, but you'll still need to stabilize the camera, because the tiniest amount of movement (even breathing) can result in blurry pictures. The fireworks are too bright and far away for your tiny flash to affect them, so save your batteries and turn off the flash. Additionally, if you can't avoid getting the backs of people's heads in the picture, it's better that those heads be in sillouette rather than illuminated by your flash.

 

[tjl1388]

The keys to getting good fireworks shots are a tripod (tabletop one on a trashcan will even work), manual mode, a good spot, and if possible a camera that allows the use of a remote shutter release.

+1000000

It is almost never the camera. The camera can help but the number one enemy is movement. The more you minimize movement, the better. All of my "keeper" fireworks shots are shot with a remote release on a tripod. Even the simple nudge you give the camera when pressing the shutter release will blur the picture.

Example...this is on a tripod with a wireless remote.....and a little fairy dust.

 

[Cdnmom2001]

Thanks for the responses off to follow the links

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Well I'm really trying to get used to my camera (Nikon Coolpix P80) and I've been REALLY impressed with it lately to the point of obsession. With the trip comming up I keep hearing "don't take your vacation through a lense" and I will try really hard not to and still get some good shots. When I mentioned I was looking at tripods my wife gave me the "please don't be that guy" look . So, I get to thinking, I REALLY want some good firework pictures but I REALLY want to enjoy the show, so here's what I came up with in theory.

The gorillapod looks like it would be perfect. I'm thinking if I strap it to a poll or something and take a few test shots, I can then set it to take a pic every 30 sec with maybe a 2 sec shutter speed and forget about it so I can enjoy the show. What do you think?

I know there is no way that I'm the only person who has ever done this and I see all you guys as the photo gods! Any input would be really appriciated!

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Well I'm really trying to get used to my camera (Nikon Coolpix P80) and I've been REALLY impressed with it lately to the point of obsession. With the trip comming up I keep hearing "don't take your vacation through a lense" and I will try really hard not to and still get some good shots. When I mentioned I was looking at tripods my wife gave me the "please don't be that guy" look . So, I get to thinking, I REALLY want some good firework pictures but I REALLY want to enjoy the show, so here's what I came up with in theory.

The gorillapod looks like it would be perfect. I'm thinking if I strap it to a poll or something and take a few test shots, I can then set it to take a pic every 30 sec with maybe a 2 sec shutter speed and forget about it so I can enjoy the show. What do you think?

I know there is no way that I'm the only person who has ever done this and I see all you guys as the photo gods! Any input would be really appriciated!

Well, I am no where near to a "photo god" but that sounds like a pretty good idea, although you might end up with a few empty or blurry shots. The gorillapod is a pretty neat contraption, especially since you can wrap it around poles. Here is another idea: If you decided to watch Wishes twice, you could enjoy it the first time, then take pictures the second time. You would also have the advantage of knowing when a lot of really amazing fireworks are coming up. Have a great trip!

 

[Code]

I did this with great success last year...

Though I'm not sure how well your idea of shooting on an interval timer would work.. getting decent fireworks shots does take a bit of timing.

I set everything up before the show and used a shutter release cable so I could watch and enjoy the show but still click the shutter when I knew the timing was right.

I used one of the poles on the corner of the bridge between Main Street and the hub.. I didn't see very many good poles with unobstructed views and I wanted straight on so we lined up early for the spot.

Unfortunately I'm not sure there is any way to strap a camera to a light pole and not look like "that guy"

Here are a few of the shots I got that night...

 

[NateNLogansDad]

All I can say is WOW! Very nice shots! I'd love to to the remote shutter but it doesn't look like my camera has the option. Chances are I'll have either a 3 or 5 yr old on my sholders at the time also, which was making me think of the 30 sec intervals. If I can get a few decent (lucky) shots out of it I'll be extremely happy! As for the empty ones, I'm not real worried about that, I'm taking between 15-20 Gigs worth of SD cards and a laptop to copy/delete as we choose. Any other ideas would be phenomenal!

 

[jrc-elpaso]

Does your camera have a "fireworks" setting? My Sony DSC-H7 does and it takes a lot of the headaches out of trying to figure out the shutter time. My DH and I are going to WDW in September for our anniversary and I'm looking forward to the fireworks. I put the camera on a tripod and set up the shot ahead of time and then just hit the shutter every 15 to 20 seconds. I've gotten some really nice shots at 4th of July displays. Usually take some cropping to make them better - and I do delete a lot of them.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Yes, as a matter of fact it does! I've been playing with the manual settings so much I forgot about the scenes mode Thanks for the reminder With me, there's no such thing as a "basic" peice of advice!

 

[Code]

If you're comfortable with manual settings, that's what I'd stick with. Since you won't be controlling the shutter, you probably want longer exposures for a higher chance of getting something.. 10 seconds perhaps? Start at 10 sec, f/16 (ISO 100) and adjust the aperture until the castle is properly exposed then you're good to go. Don't forget to switch to manual focus and lock it on the castle so it's not trying to redo AF every shot.

 

[Lynn5700]

WOW those pics are great! We are getting the Gorillapod. I love how you took a picture to show how it would look set up!