First Time Shooting Fireworks

Th0r4z1n3 · Jul 6, 2016

We really didn't plan on going to the fireworks, we were just out & about, so I didn't really plan ahead too well; we were really close to where they were being set off, no tripod (all hand held), and I only had my prime lens with me so I couldn't "zoom out" to get everything in frame. To top it off this was my first time shooting at night in manual mode, and my first time trying to shoot fireworks, so I was just adjusting things as I went. Any feedback is completely welcomed.

spiralout462 · Jul 6, 2016

I think shooting fireworks exploding is rather simple. The best shots in my opinion have some foreground interests. Also try longer exposures so you can get many bursts in one frame.

By no means am I an expert in the subject. Just my opinions.

A little bit of water.adds.a lot of context.

See this thread.... Fireworks, 101

Th0r4z1n3 · Jul 6, 2016

Ideally I would have liked to have kept the shutter open longer, but I didn't have a tripod with me, and had to settle on a speed that I could keep steady. We were also maybe 300 yards away from where they setting them off at (I could see the guy walking around with the flair to light them), and had the added "fun" of chasing the little smoke trail up with the camera, and guessing where they were going to explode at just to get them in frame. I was literally laying flat on my back with my chin dug into my chest just to get what I did in frame lol.

I very rarely plan any "shoots" ahead of time, I usually just grab my camera, wait for something to grab my attention, and work with what I have. I usually have a backpack with other lenses and stuff in it just in case, but I was too lazy to walk back to the car to get it. Next year I think I'll try to get a bit farther away, and bring a tripod with me.

In my head (before hand) I was picturing these huge explosions against a pitch black background. I would have liked the fireworks to have been more vibrant against the background, but I got shots that I found "interesting" anyway. Next time I'll have a better idea of what to expect.