Fireworks - what makes a good shot?

[lvcrtrs]

I'd like to know what makes a good Fireworks photo. You shoot a bazillion shots cause you really don't know what you are getting. I think the sharp stand still shots can be neat but then I think some with the streaks are nice too.

Someone CC'd me once and told me to go look at good photos. Well, obvious question...how do I know what a good photo is if what I thought was ok wasn't?

Please feel free to post some of yours so I understand what you might say.

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[PhotoXopher]

I like bright vivid colors with motion, shots that take me back to that moment. I personally think fireworks are best at long exposures and not 'frozen', you only get half the picture that way so to speak.

[03civicdx]

some of yours are good but alot of them have WAY too much going on in the pic too many explosions and smoke ect.. like 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10

Heres 2 of mine i try to only get 1 or 2 explosions in the frame







See how its less distracting when there isn't as much going on in the frame?

[03civicdx]

I like bright vivid colors with motion, shots that take me back to that moment. I personally think fireworks are best at long exposures and not 'frozen', you only get half the picture that way so to speak.

yes loner exposures and IOS at 100 and i have my f stop at 16 heres the exif of mine...

2-3 sec exposures seemed to work best for me. used 5sec for the one with 2 in the frame.

1st pic..
# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 3/1 second = 3 second
# Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 10/1 = F10
# ISO Speed Ratings = 100
# Original Date/Time = 2009:07:04 20:40:45
# Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = -2147483648/1
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/0 second
# Aperture Value (APEX) = 434176/65536
Aperture = F9.93
# Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
# Focal Length = 24/1 mm = 24 mm
# Image Width = 800 pixels
# Image Height = 506 pixels

2nd pic..
# Exposure Time (1 / Shutter Speed) = 5/1 second = 5 second
# Lens F-Number/F-Stop = 13/1 = F13
# ISO Speed Ratings = 100
# Original Date/Time = 2009:07:04 20:28:16
# Shutter Speed Value (APEX) = -2147483648/1
Shutter Speed (Exposure Time) = 1/0 second
# Aperture Value (APEX) = 483328/65536
Aperture = F12.88
# Flash = Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode
# Focal Length = 18/1 mm = 18 mm
# Image Width = 1024 pixels
# Image Height = 914 pixels

hope this helps

[lvcrtrs]

Thank you, I keep printing off info so I can reference next time I get an opportunity to work with the subject. Appreciate your time. Sherry

[03civicdx]

No problem... you should get a exif reader so you can just check the settings on the pics you like