Shooting fireworks - 2 part question

[WillowBelle]

We're going back for Labor Day weekend. It's a very, very short trip as a surprise to my DD who is turning 12. We are only spending 1 day in EP and 1 day in the MK.

I know how to shoot fireworks but thought of changing things up and didn't know if my idea would work.

Firstly, has anyone shot Wishes with a fisheye? If so, where did you stand so that the bursts weren't teeny-tiny? Right in the hub, or closer?

Secondly, has anyone used a monopod to shoot fireworks? I'd thought about taking that inside rather than lugging my tripod along with. It's so dang heavy. Even if we put it in a locker during the day, the night we're going is an EMH night, so going back to the locker after the fireworks with the masses of people leaving seems less than appealing to me, thus I'd be carrying the tripod for the remainder of the night .

Thanks for the help/advice

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

If you are looking for the fireworks trails, I don't think a monopod will work as well as a tripod. That's not to say you may not get a good shot or two, but trying to hold a monopod steady for 2-3 seconds seems impossible to me. If the budget can stand it, how about either a gorillapod or a travel tripod. My travel tripod weighs less than three pounds, less than 14" when closed and is carried attached to my backpack. The DW carries the gorillapod (slrzoom) on her bag. I hang my bag on the tripod to further stabilize it, so it is a very stable platform. Just a suggestion.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/799992-REG/Cullmann_CU_53583_MAGIC_TRIPOD_SYSTEM_w_CB.html

 

[boBQuincy]

I tried long exposures (2 seconds) with a monopod and they worked pretty well, to my surprise. I expected lots of vibration but the combination of a mirrorless camera and IS seems to be ok for this kind of use. Only a few of the images had noticeable blur, next time I will try 4-6 seconds.

Here are some examples:

 

[Experiment_626]

Yeah, I don't think a monopod will work nearly as well as a tripod. YMMV, but I wouldn't do it, for what it's worth.

I believe Tom Bricker has done some fireworks shots in the park with his fisheye. I think it works well when they fire the perimeter fireworks, which unfortunately doesn't happen that often. I haven't tried it yet, but I'd guess being on one side or the other of Partners would be a good vantage point with such a lens. I don't think I'd want to get any closer. It might make an interesting shot to have the statue in the immediate foreground, in fact, and (presuming you set up at the right time), you wouldn't have anyone standing right in front of you (other than Walt and Mickey, of course). Might be tricky, though. I wouldn't be comfortable setting up right in front of Partners until just before the show begins, because there are always other guests who want to get a shot of their family members there.

Maybe someone who has tried it would have more specific information and experience.

SSB

 

[1Grumpy9]

I have a quick question about using the remote shutter and fireworks...how long do you normally hold down your remote when getting fireworks shots? I was holding mine between 2 and 5 seconds.

What is the norm?

 

[Experiment_626]

I have a quick question about using the remote shutter and fireworks...how long do you normally hold down your remote when getting fireworks shots? I was holding mine between 2 and 5 seconds.

What is the norm?

It depends — at Disney I would go six to 10 seconds in most cases, other than the finale, prior to using my ND filter. Using the filter, I'd go anywhere from 20 seconds to about a minute and a half. One thing to note is whether the bursts are spread out in different areas of the sky. If they are, as during Wishes, you can usually keep the shutter open longer. If they aren't, as in lots of local celebratory displays, you'll have to close it sooner because multiple bursts in the same spot have a cumulative effect.

SSB

 

[1Grumpy9]

It depends — at Disney I would go six to 10 seconds in most cases, other than the finale, prior to using my ND filter. Using the filter, I'd go anywhere from 20 seconds to about a minute and a half. One thing to note is whether the bursts are spread out in different areas of the sky. If they are, as during Wishes, you can usually keep the shutter open longer. If they aren't, as in lots of local celebratory displays, you'll have to close it sooner because multiple bursts in the same spot have a cumulative effect.

SSB

Thanks for the information!!! I am thinking Disney is going to be the next time I get to work on Fireworks shots since there aren't many opportunities here in Harrisburg to photograph fireworks (other than holidays)

 

[WillowBelle]

Thank you all for the input!

boBQ - thanks for sharing your pics. After looking at them I might just give the monopod a shot. I have tons of tripod-taken pictures already. I kind of liked your first picture, with the low fireworks and people in the foreground. Looked almost like a picture during a war with bombs exploding (don't think you can get much further from the magic with that vision, huh ?).

I don't have a ND filter, although I might get one prior to going, so a 20 second exposure is completely off the grid of possibilities at this point.

Maybe I'll scratch the fisheye idea all together and just go with my walk-around lens so that I can setup wherever, whenever. I do have a shutter release I'll be using, so that's less fingers on the body while trying to hold the monopod steady.

 

[Lzika]

I live in Orlando and love shooting at night in the parks -so I almost always carry my tripod with me. I have a carbon fiber Manfrotto that weighs 3 or 4 lbs. I put it in a locker during the day, get it out for the night.

 

[Experiment_626]

I don't have a ND filter, although I might get one prior to going, so a 20 second exposure is completely off the grid of possibilities at this point.

Maybe I'll scratch the fisheye idea all together

A "normal" screw-on ND filter wouldn't work with any fisheye I've ever seen anyway, though I suspect it may be possible to use a (large) square filter with a special mounting holder.

SSB

 

[mom2rtk]

I haven't shot with a fisheye, but did try my UWA from up near the castle and was not happy with the results. Burst were in fact way too small. Just as everyone here said they would be!

 

[WillowBelle]

I haven't shot with a fisheye, but did try my UWA from up near the castle and was not happy with the results. Burst were in fact way too small. Just as everyone here said they would be!

That's what I thought would be the result.

Thinking of switching from my fisheye idea to my carry around lens - that I've always taken fireworks pics with before.

My tripod weighs about 8lbs, and REALLY REALLY don't want to lug it with me. I'm sure in the end I will. My last 5 trips, DH has not been with me and I've drug everything along. This time he will, so maybe he'll carry it for me - although I hate to ask. He's definitely not the Disney fanatic in the house, I'd hate to add so much weight to him and make his trip be less than enjoyable in any way......after all, I want him to come back with us!