What settings for Fireworks

[p17blo]

Does anyone have any fool proof setting for capturing stunning fireworks pics at the parks?

I have a Canon 60D with a range of lenses including:
50mm f1.8
10-22mm Canon
18-270mm Tamron
Stock Canon lens (I think 18mm-55mm, but I never use it)

I plan to have my tripod with me, but I am not sure if I will be 'allowed' to set it up, if not I plan to find something sturdy (bin, wall, etc) to purch on, but rather than trial and error a load, what settings (and which lens) would you use?

TIA

 

[photo_chick]

There are a couple of threads on fireworks that give pretty good ideas on what to do. The settings really depend on how you want to capture them. And yes, you can set up a tripod (leave it in a locker until you need it). But you'll have to grab your space early.

I tried to find a link, there was a really good thread, but me and the search aren't getting along.

 

[2Tiggies]

Was it this one?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2922349

Somewhere in the above thread someone also posted links to more Fireworks threads

The DIS search tool is hit and miss at best. Google works better!

There is also this one, which is what I went through first before posting questions on here and there is a lot of helpful info in here.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1237506

 

[DoleWhipDVC]

While on the photography board main page, click on "welcome to the photography board" thread. When it opens click on, "how to shoot fireworks" You'll find some really good info there to get you going. I've used the advice to great success. Bring your tripod, you certainly won't be the only one there with one. Setting up isn't bad unless you try to shoot from the castle hub - it gets a bit crazy there. Get your focus on the castle BEFORE the show and lock it. If possible, see the show once before shooting it so you know what to expect. Shoot with bulb exposure and vary your exposure times for different burst/trail effects. Try setting up a bit down mainstreet or from the bridge going toward Hall of presidents. You might even want to try shooting from the back of the castle for a different view. Good luck

 

[bob100]

Does anyone have any fool proof setting for capturing stunning fireworks pics at the parks?

I have a Canon 60D with a range of lenses including:
50mm f1.8
10-22mm Canon
18-270mm Tamron
Stock Canon lens (I think 18mm-55mm, but I never use it)

I plan to have my tripod with me, but I am not sure if I will be 'allowed' to set it up, if not I plan to find something sturdy (bin, wall, etc) to purch on, but rather than trial and error a load, what settings (and which lens) would you use?

TIA

depending on the venue I'd use the wide angle 10-22, remote shutter release, MLU, Av f8, ISO 100 (and of course the tripod)

 

[p17blo]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am working my way through it all making notes for my next trip. I've seen wishes a load of times, I am not sure I would know exactly when things are coming - I would love to capture the white 'fan' that goes off (I think twice). Are there any 'triggers' i can look/listen for?

 

[2Tiggies]

Thanks for all the feedback. I am working my way through it all making notes for my next trip. I've seen wishes a load of times, I am not sure I would know exactly when things are coming - I would love to capture the white 'fan' that goes off (I think twice). Are there any 'triggers' i can look/listen for?

I was wondering if memorizing the relevant parts of the shows with cues from the music/narration would help. We've also seen the shows countless times, but only now that I've decided to attempt some fireworks shots, has it seemed relevant to take note of when the good ones are triggered. There's always good ol' Youtube ....

 

[Experiment_626]

I would love to capture the white 'fan' that goes off (I think twice). Are there any 'triggers' I can look/listen for?

Yes, that's a great effect. One thing you can do is find Wishes videos on YouTube and watch them repeatedly — since the show is timed to the music, each visual comes at the same point in each show. You can note the music cues or just the timing from the beginning of the show to have a very good idea of when to fire the shutter. If you want to be methodical about it, write down the times of particular bursts that you particularly want to shoot (or a second or three prior to that moment). Then, if you have a smart phone or a stopwatch, start it running when the show begins and use it to help you time your shots. If you really want to go all out, that is … I use my iPhone to time long exposures I make on the bulb setting as well. Beats counting to 60 or more in my head ...

SSB

 

[pgowder]

For longer exposures, use your lowest ISO, a very small aperture and and ND filter.

This past weekend I used a Tiffen Variable ND filter for the first time. For the first part of Wishes I used about 2-3 stops. For later scenes I increased it to 6-7 stops. I was able to finally get the finale of Wishes without overexposing! Turns out I actually needed to expose longer to get more light on the Castle.

Here is one shot:

Wishes - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World by Paul Gowder, on Flickr

 

[2Tiggies]

For longer exposures, use your lowest ISO, a very small aperture and and ND filter.

This past weekend I used a Tiffen Variable ND filter for the first time. For the first part of Wishes I used about 2-3 stops. For later scenes I increased it to 6-7 stops. I was able to finally get the finale of Wishes without overexposing! Turns out I actually needed to expose longer to get more light on the Castle.

Here is one shot:

Wishes - Magic Kingdom - Walt Disney World by Paul Gowder, on Flickr

That is an amazing photo!
I've seen reference made to use of ND filters a number of times and I'm seriously thinking of getting one - especially after seeing this.

I was hoping someone would bump this thread so I could ask another question (I've asked so many already and didn't want to do it myself ) How do you take your initial exposure reading? And if you want a super long exposure (say you did 20 seconds) is that where the ND filter comes in? I was trying to work this out logically over the weekend and I take it, according to the camera's logic, ones you hit the smallest aperture, that's the point where (the camera will say) that there is only so far you can adjust your shutter speed. And because you won't meter your exposure during the bursts, its going to tell you that you are over exposing I'm just trying to figure out at what point you have to take matters into your own hands (that is, not listen to the camera's recommendations) and how you apply common sense to your settings/timings .... Does my question make sense? I don't have all the jargon and certainly don't have any experience with this so you may need to ask me to explain myself.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

This past weekend I used a Tiffen Variable ND filter for the first time.

Oh man! I've got to stop reading this board. My wallet hurts! My saving grace here is that I don't have any lenses that will take a 77mm filter.

Amazing photo.

 

[2Tiggies]

Oh man! I've got to stop reading this board. My wallet hurts! My saving grace here is that I don't have any lenses that will take a 77mm filter.

Whatever you do, don't go reading Tom Bricker's reviews. 10 minutes reading cost me a fortune Oh, and that isn't counting the stuff I have yet to get!

 

[pgowder]

Whatever you do, don't go reading Tom Bricker's reviews. 10 minutes reading cost me a fortune Oh, and that isn't counting the stuff I have yet to get!

Oh so true! Especially now! His latest upgrade was a very nice one!

 

[pgowder]

Oh man! I've got to stop reading this board. My wallet hurts! My saving grace here is that I don't have any lenses that will take a 77mm filter.

Amazing photo.

Thanks!

 

[pgowder]

That is an amazing photo!
I've seen reference made to use of ND filters a number of times and I'm seriously thinking of getting one - especially after seeing this.

I was hoping someone would bump this thread so I could ask another question (I've asked so many already and didn't want to do it myself ) How do you take your initial exposure reading? And if you want a super long exposure (say you did 20 seconds) is that where the ND filter comes in? I was trying to work this out logically over the weekend and I take it, according to the camera's logic, ones you hit the smallest aperture, that's the point where (the camera will say) that there is only so far you can adjust your shutter speed. And because you won't meter your exposure during the bursts, its going to tell you that you are over exposing I'm just trying to figure out at what point you have to take matters into your own hands (that is, not listen to the camera's recommendations) and how you apply common sense to your settings/timings .... Does my question make sense? I don't have all the jargon and certainly don't have any experience with this so you may need to ask me to explain myself.

Everything is manual for fireworks, no metering! You set your shutter speed to bulb mode. And everything is a guess from there. Start with ISO 200, F11 and start trying different exposure times. After you have shot Wishes a few times you get the hang of it. Toward the end the sequences get longer and brighter, so you have to stop down.

If you can find a local fireworks show to practice with. This time of year should be able to find one. Check your local baseball team schedules, they love doing fireworks shows.

We are working to build a list of shows here:
http://www.fireworksphotographyfieldguide.com/fireworks-show-locations/

We have a few entered and will have more entered soon. I've found some tourist locations close to me that have weekly shows this summer. That's a great place to practice before you get to Main Street USA!

 

[2Tiggies]

Thank you so much for that. I got to thinking too much last weekend!

So it's a bit of trial and error then. That's really the main point of my question so you've answered that. I suppose there is no better way to learn than to get out there and just do it

 

[pgowder]

Thank you so much for that. I got to thinking too much last weekend!

So it's a bit of trial and error then. That's really the main point of my question so you've answered that. I suppose there is no better way to learn than to get out there and just do it

Yes! The more you do it, the better you'll get.

Here is my first time shooting Wishes - this is the same sequence as I posted above.


Wishes by Paul Gowder, on Flickr

 

[2Tiggies]

Everything is manual for fireworks, no metering! You set your shutter speed to bulb mode.

You know when you read or hear something over and over ... and over .. and it registers ... and then it suddenly just hits home? I just looked at that quoted line you wrote again and it all sunk in properly You'll have to excuse me! It's been a looooong (and not such a great) day!

I actually decided to get out of those semi auto modes I've been using (never used full auto - long story) on Sunday and spent the better part of the day with my camera and except in situations where I really don't have time to set it myself, it only took a few hours for me to become a convert! I can totally see now why manual is said to be so much nicer. I had such a good time playing around and getting a feel of it. If you'd told me to go all manual a week ago I might have just been too intimidated at the thought of it. Not sure why I felt it was such a big fuss

 

[pgowder]

You know when you read or hear something over and over ... and over .. and it registers ... and then it suddenly just hits home? I just looked at that quoted line you wrote again and it all sunk in properly You'll have to excuse me! It's been a looooong (and not such a great) day!

I actually decided to get out of those semi auto modes I've been using (never used full auto - long story) on Sunday and spent the better part of the day with my camera and except in situations where I really don't have time to set it myself, it only took a few hours for me to become a convert! I can totally see now why manual is said to be so much nicer. I had such a good time playing around and getting a feel of it. If you'd told me to go all manual a week ago I might have just been too intimidated at the thought of it. Not sure why I felt it was such a big fuss

For walking around the parks, I'm almost always in aperture priority mode. I'm usually shooting tons of shots of the family and need to shoot quick. That lets me get the DoF I want and still shoot quick.

But when I setup on the tripod for a special photo, I'm usually going to manual or bracketing.

 

[2Tiggies]

For walking around the parks, I'm almost always in aperture priority mode. I'm usually shooting tons of shots of the family and need to shoot quick. That lets me get the DoF I want and still shoot quick.

But when I setup on the tripod for a special photo, I'm usually going to manual or bracketing.

Aperture priority has been my default setting too - also because I am really taking mostly vacation shots of my daughter. But I've been inspired to do something a bit different and if I don't try, I'm never going to learn

Programmed auto has also been a walk-around cheat's quick fix for me. I will still use them, but I think when I have the time to compose properly, as opposed to seizing the moment on camera, I am definitely going to have some fun with manual. I have nothing to lose, probably lots I will learn and worst case scenario, I can always take a second shot on a 'safe' mode

The bracketing - I have the theory of that (as in, lifted the info from the user manual) but I need to find my way around it and really understand it. Taken the day off on Monday and it had better not be pouring with rain because it's MY day - just me and my camera