4th Fireworks Exposure suggestions.

Robbo521 · Jul 4, 2013

just a few i got tonight.

Braineack · Jul 5, 2013

I was a little further away than I realized and didnt have my longer lens, but I got some shots of the Capital fireworks:

5sec, iso 100, f/11

3sec, iso 100, f/11

6sec, iso 100, f/16

3sec, iso 100, f/14

5sec, iso 100, f/16

PropilotBW · Jul 5, 2013

Braineack said:
I was a little further away than I realized and didnt have my longer lens, but I got some shots of the Capital fireworks:

5sec, iso 100, f/11

3sec, iso 100, f/11

6sec, iso 100, f/16

6sec, iso 100, f/16

3sec, iso 100, f/14

5sec, iso 100, f/16

Those are some nice shots, I would have loved to be in DC for the 4th. Or in NYC!. I'm still waiting on Saturday for the postponed fireworks shows in Atlanta.

gwhiz · Jul 5, 2013

Just wanted to share one from last night to keep all related info on one post.
I had the camera set on f/11 and controlled shutter with a WU-1a. ISO was set at 250 (probably should have gone with 100 though). Since this was my first time trying fireworks I was happy with the results. This thread helped a ton.

Low_Sky · Jul 5, 2013

I took my new found knowledge from this thread and tried to shoot some fireworks last night. I'm very much a beginner, so any C&C is welcome. I kind of ghetto-rigged this since I don't have all the right equipment yet. I used my new Canon t3i with the 18-55mm kit lens, supported with a Joby Gorillapod that I had from my P&S camera. Since I don't have a cable release, I used very long exposure times, and controlled the light going to the sensor with a piece of cardboard spray painted matte black to minimize camera shake and only get the bursts I wanted recorded. Here are two of my favorites from the night.

IMG_0417 by Low_Sky, on Flickr
I know there's not a lot to look at here, but I like the colors.

IMG_0428 by Low_Sky, on Flickr

paigew · Jul 5, 2013

After lugging my camera gear, tripod, two kids under 4, and our food over a mile to the fireworks display I ended up only taking a handful of shots. It was SOOOOO crowded, I couldn't even set up my tripod

But I just couldn't not take pics of the fireworks so I braced myself and tried a few handheld shots. My first time shooting fireworks, this one was my best

1/20; f5.6; iso 100

Fireworks! by paige_w, on Flickr

gwhiz · Jul 5, 2013

Low_Sky said:
Since I don't have a cable release, I used very long exposure times, and controlled the light going to the sensor with a piece of cardboard spray painted matte black to minimize camera shake and only get the bursts I wanted recorded.

What a clever idea, nice job.

BillInTexas · Jul 5, 2013

paigew said:
After lugging my camera gear, tripod, two kids under 4, and our food over a mile to the fireworks display I ended up only taking a handful of shots. It was SOOOOO crowded, I couldn't even set up my tripod But I just couldn't not take pics of the fireworks so I braced myself and tried a few handheld shots. My first time shooting fireworks, this one was my best

1/20; f5.6; iso 100

Fireworks! by paige_w, on Flickr

You might want to try continuous mode sometime when you can't use your tripod. I started shooting when the shell went up and kept the shutter release depressed through the explosion. There will be some blurry ones but, there will be a fair number of them that are reasonably sharp as well. I was able to get up to 1/6 second using that method.