How to shoot fireworks

[gojoe]

You'll miss one heck of a show.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Several years ago, we watched the fireworks from the area of the Poly. From where we watched, we saw three shows simultaneously. It was fantastic. I don't know if they allow that anymore. We did not go in the parks and were back to our lodging (FW) early. July 5th was on a Monday like this year. We got up early and went to EPCOT. Because everyone else stayed out late, we had EPCOT to ourselves until mid-afternoon. It was a ghost town. That was phenomenal. Just a hint!

 

[Commando2319]

Does anyone have a special "sweet" spot in the Magic Kingdom where they love to take photos of the parades and/or fireworks?

 

[Jamian]

My favorite spot for Wishes! is right by the Roy and Minnie bench. It's slightly higher than the street so you have less chance of having a bunch of big fat heads blocking the castle. Here is the view:



As you can see, you can crop out the heads if you want and still have the whole castle in the frame. I left them in just because I felt it added context to the scene IMO. I also like that you get the Emporium and Confectionary in the frame since they leave those lights on for the show.

Cheers

 

[vanessagarcia1]

Wow this is beautiful place and picture both . Awesome photography no words for me to appreciate your work and idea . I think you made some kind of editing in this picture because effect looks different .

 

[Docarino]

My favorite spot for Wishes! is right by the Roy and Minnie bench. It's slightly higher than the street so you have less chance of having a bunch of big fat heads blocking the castle. Here is the view

This is a great shot! I've seen your flickr photostream- your pictures are beautiful. Are you in front of the Minnie statue? How early do you stake out this spot? Thanks!

 

[Jamian]

This is a great shot! I've seen your flickr photostream- your pictures are beautiful. Are you in front of the Minnie statue? How early do you stake out this spot? Thanks!

Surprisingly, I was able to show up only about a half an hour prior to the start of the show. My tripod was right up against the bench that the statues are sitting on.

 

[cpbjgc]

These were taken on the sidewalk that goes around the hub just by the walkway to Tomorrowland. We got there about 20 minutes before show time, set up my tripod by a garbage can (no one immediately in front) and bought the kids popcorn! Great location and you can see Tink wave as she flies by above you!

I love watching in the Hub area - the show just seems more impressive to me than from further back down Maint Street. Plus, by the time I put away the camera and tripod, Main Street is cleared out enough that there is no line up for ice cream!

Still looking for that parade spot!

 

[jeffb]

My favorite spot for Wishes! is right by the Roy and Minnie bench. It's slightly higher than the street so you have less chance of having a bunch of big fat heads blocking the castle. Here is the view:


As you can see, you can crop out the heads if you want and still have the whole castle in the frame. I left them in just because I felt it added context to the scene IMO. I also like that you get the Emporium and Confectionary in the frame since they leave those lights on for the show.

Cheers

Beautiful shot Jamian. I also like that spot and prefer shots that have the crowds when it comes to fireworks. Another good spot imho is on Main Street about 20 - 30 feet back from the hub - you can very nice wide shots from this point and the buildings are not visible so they wont cover up any of the firework light streams.

 

[Golf4food]

Surprisingly, I was able to show up only about a half an hour prior to the start of the show. My tripod was right up against the bench that the statues are sitting on.

Sweet. Might try that for Saturday and stick around for the 2nd Spectromagic - or move up MS for the Spectro to find a spot with the castle in view - maybe the bridge to Liberty Square. Who knows. Trying to find new places I haven't shot Wishes/Spectro from before.


Another location for a completely different view of Wishes is Frontierland on the boardwalk across from Harper's Mill:

The exposure is not good and I needed a wider angle lens - was shooting with a 35mm that day. If I setup there again I'll use my 18-55 or a wider prime. You can also get fireworks and boat reflections on the water:

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Here are some pics I took last night with my Kx and 18-55mm Kit lens (widest lens I currently have). They arent quite up to par with the shows Disney puts on, but it was a lot of fun! It was also my first attempt at taking fireworks photos. Biggest thing I learnt was don't stand so close, it really limited my options. But what do you do we were at a party and my buddies house is right at the end of the dead end street where they all set up.

30 kids, 10 seconds and a whole lot of sparklers!

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Fabulous pictures!

 

[RBennett]

Great shots!! The clarity, sharpness, and colors are incredible!!!

 

[hjd0411]

They are really good! I like the sparkler one!
I wish we did more fireworks in Australia - no neighbourhood fireworks allowed any more (due to fire restrictions). There are occasional "event" fireworks, but not as much as you guys do over here!!!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Thank you everyone for all the cind words, I have learned so much from disboards!

 

[disneyboy2003]

Cool pictures! You got the fireworks all nice and sharp.

Here's an idea for next time. When you have sparklers, see if you can get folks to write words with sparklers. Like get 4 people together, and each person writes one letter L-O-V-E, while you take the photo.

Or, have your kids draw a picture with the sparklers, like draw a flower or something.

Just a couple ideas. Great job!

 

[Golf4food]

They came out great.

Pentax power!

 

[Evad]

Wow very nice!!! Great job!

 

[Cruella 66]

I bought a NikonD3000 tonight and I am learning how to use it. I would LOVE to take some beautiful fireworks pictures when we're there in June. Can anyone help me? Thanks!

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

Awww shucks guys... your making a boy blush! Thanks again!