Fireworks

[gavunsmith]

Hi everyone.

I need some advice on the best way to capture fireworks. If any one can guide me in the right direction that would be great. I have a anon 400d if that helps.

Thanks

 

[mangtarn]

I hope you mean Canon 400D.
anyway you are going to need a tripod and a remote control. Set up the composition before hand, and set the camera on bulb mode. shoot wide open and focus on infinity unless you are ridiculously close to the fireworks (just a joke) Take a few test shots to determine the correct exposure (varies on the scene) and you are going to want to press the shutter throughout the duration of the firework. go search up some images on google and you'll know what i mean.
i still recommend reading some articles on firework photography or search for other threads on this forum.

good luck.

 

[WesternGuy]

Check this one out...New York Institute of Photography - Fireworks Photos | Fireworks Pics | 4th of July Pictures | NYIP - lots of good stuff there and here as well - How to Photograph Fireworks Displays.


Cheers,

WesternGuy

 

[tirediron]

Fireworks are the easiest thing in the world. As mentioned a tripod and remote release are required. Set your camera to manual focus and manual exposure. Prefocus the lens to infinity, set your aperture to f8, your ISO to ~400, and your shutter-speed to 3 seconds NOT bulb (to start). Again, as mentioned above, compose the scene before hand and try and include some of the surrounding scene if possible. Fireworks always look stronger if there's more to the image than just the bloom.

Watch the first couple and look carefully at the launch sight; you can usually see a faint trail of reddish sparks as they launch each munition. Generally, try and activate your shutter just before they reach apogee. Check your work on the camera's LCD and adjust your shutter speed to get the optimum bloom. Longer shutter speeds mean longer, more curved trails.

 

[mangtarn]

Prefocus the lens to infinity, set your aperture to f8, your ISO to ~400, and your shutter-speed to 3 seconds NOT bulb (to start).

please explain the 3 second part. from my understanding you set it to bulb so you can keep the shutter open throughout the duration of the munition so you get the full trails and stuff.

 

[tirediron]

You can do that, however the common result is to get much longer trails (with the resultant blown centres) than if you use the shutter to expose for a pre-set time.

 

[giulionic]

I love to shoot at fireworks and I agree with tirediron: focus to infinity, f/8-11, ISO 200-500 and adjust the time, but try to stay under 4sec, expecially when it's windy