THE 2006 Fireworks Thread - haha

bethany138 · Jul 3, 2006

Ok - Any info on Fireworks photography or any examples to post.

Such as - settings, ideas, tricks, etc.

Please! :hugs: :hug::

bethany138 · Jul 3, 2006

Ok! MAYBE NOT! lol.

EBphotography · Jul 3, 2006

Here is my master plan for fireworks photography tomorrow. Listed in steps.

Turn on camera, while on tripod.
Switch to Scene mode.
Select "Fireworks mode."

Thats my noob way, and I will definitley take some manual shots too, which will be wingin' it!

I doubt that helped, but maybe provided comic relief?

rmh159 · Jul 3, 2006

Ok... my two cents...

Put something else in the frame as a reference rather than just fireworks.
I see everyone post that a tri-pod is a must but I don't think a little blur will ruin the pics if you hand hold.
Use a slow shutter speed and try to get the initial rising trail in the exposure as well.
In post-processing... duplicate the original layer, blur, lighten and blend to Overlay (if anyone needs more detail on this I'll add it in... bit of a rush now).

If I had the time and resources I think I would look for a glass high-rise building and shoot the building as the fireworks reflect off of it. I'm not near buildings like that but if anyone can use that idea (assuming it's a good one) by all means.

Here's my fireworks shot...

bethany138 · Jul 3, 2006

Nice! Thanks for the info!

Unimaxium · Jul 3, 2006

I just read an article a few days ago about how to photograph fireworks. It's a good read:
http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-photograph-fireworks/

They had some fireworks in town last night and I got some nice results. I plan to get some more tomorrow night when they put on the big show

danalec99 · Jul 3, 2006

Another possibly helpful link > click

Peanuts · Jul 3, 2006

I have several fireworks shots that I do believe came out quite well (especially seeing as at this point, I did not understand too much about exposure). From what I remember, these were shot with TV ranging anywhere from 1/4s to 1/15s, generally with an aperture around 4.0. Since I didn't bring a tripod, I ended up laying down with my head propped up with a bag and just shot to my hearts content. Sorry that I can't be of much help.

ShootHoops · Jul 4, 2006

Those came out awesome Peanuts. I took my try at some fireworks tonight and I'm pretty p'd off now. All bad, blurry shots. Plus I'm itching like crazy thanks to the mosquitoes.

castrol · Jul 4, 2006

Where did you take them Finisher?

GrfxGuru · Jul 4, 2006

Here is my contribution to the fireworks and my first photo to the forums.

First attempt at fireworks and I'm pretty happy with it other than all the smoke. It is actually my current wallpaper hense the extra black around the photo.

Regards,
Peter Witham

Peanuts · Jul 4, 2006

Nice photo Peter!

castrol · Jul 4, 2006

Mine didn't come out as good as I had hoped. It was raining and I had to set my
tripod in the back of the truck with an umbrella over it. Not the most stable
place to put a tripod for photos.