This is a subject I have never really tried and thought what more of an appropriate time to do this than now? Since the 4th of July is next week (Friday), why don't we give tips on photographing Fireworks in this topic "Shooting Fireworks". Then follow-up with everybodies results in a second topic entitled -"Celebration in the Sky".
I just thought it might be a great opportunity for those of us who do not normally shoot nocturnal shots. Challenge others who are looking for motivation to get out and shoot. And last but not least, allow us as a group of friends,.. to share our experiences, learn from each other and enjoy this journey we call life.
What doya think...?
Please send some tips or express your thoughts on this subject:
Thanks,
Harold
Posted by Liz Masoner on June 28, 2008 at 12:50 PM
Believe it or not, I actually have a couple of tutorials on shooting fireworks posted on the site I write (http://photography.about.com). There are some sample images with the articles as well.
One thing I've found in shooting fireworks is that it is not nearly as exact a science as people seem to fear it is. It is actually fairly forgiving on exposure (except during finales with tons of smoke and light in the air at once).
~Liz
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 28, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Hey Harold nice topic. I've really enjoyed shooting fireworks the last couple years, adds a bit of interest to the fireworks display
I'm going to miss most this year I believe, heading out to Colorado for a week or so and will be traveling on the 4th. This is a shot from last year
XT, F16, 14 second exposure(bulb), ISO 200, 17-40@40mm, Tripod, shutter remote
Digital is the boon for fireworks shots! Try something and see what happens right away. Make changes accordingly! And like the flag shot above, it is even better to have something else in the image to go with the fireworks. Composites would work here, also! And if you want some interest effects, hand hold some shots and you get the "squiggles"!!!!! Some are pretty neat. The bursts are so fast, that the handheld shots are still sharp and your camera shake adds the rest. Did some of those while taking folks out on their yacht. Had no other choice but to go for hand held. The exposure was found by playing around until what I saw looked interesting and still sharp. There on my website.
Some folks like to take closeups in bulb mode, put the cap back on, then zoom out and take the cap back off for a few rounds. Makes an interesting composition. Also, try zooming in or out during the exploding burst and see what you can get (have to have good steady hands to do that without jostling the camera on the tripod - you are using a tripod aren't you?!!! - or maybe a monopd to help at least steady the up-down axis).
The main thing is to experiment and take alot of shots and figure out what to change on the camera. With digital, you have a wonderful chance of fine tuning your exposure within minutes of the start. Expect many shots that are blah. But with the great ones you get, who is ever going to know about your blah ones (click delete!!)
Thomas, beautiful shot of the flag with fireworks in background. Is that a particular show you go to on a regular basis or did you happen upon that location while shooting fire works????
No matter, it is really inspiring....
Liz and Troup, great info!!. I really like the your specific examples and creative suggestions.
If you are reading this topic and have some other ideas or techniques please post them. We would love to here from you...
Harold
Posted by Scott Reeves on June 30, 2008 at 10:10 PM
Nothing new here, but bulb mode is the key, plus the other interesting suggestions above.
So, I thought with the Fourth of July coming up this week, I’d do a quick post on how to shoot Fireworks (well, how to photograph fireworks, anyway). So today I’m posting the technique, directly from page 175 in my book. Thanks to Mark for the comment (saying nice things like that is a surefire way to get my attention, by the way), and for inspiring this post today. Here we go:
This is another one that throws a lot of people (one of my best friends, who didn’t get a single crisp fireworks shot on the Fourth of July, made me including this tip just for him, and the thousands of other digital shooter that share his pain).
For starters, you’ll need to shoot fireworks with your camera on a tripod, because you’re going to need a slow enough shutter speed to capture the falling light trails, which is what you’re really after.
Also, this is where using a cable release really pays off, because you’ll need to see the rocket’s trajectory to know when to push the shutter button—if you’re looking in the viewfinder instead, it will be more of a hit or miss proposition.
Next, use a zoom lens (ideally a 200mm or more) so you can get in tight and capture just the fireworks themselves. If you want fireworks and the background (like fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World), then use a wider lens.
Now, I recommend shooting in full Manual mode, because you just set two settings and you’re good to go:
Set the Shutter Speed to 4 seconds
Set the Aperture to f/11. Fire a test shot and look at the LCD monitor on the back of your camera to see if you like the results. If it overexposes, lower the shutter speed to 3 seconds, then take another shot and check the results again.
TIP: If your camera has “Bulb” mode (where the shutter stays open as long as you hold down the shutter release button down), this works great–hold the shutter button down when the rocket bursts, then release when the light trails start to fade. (By the way; most Canon and Nikon digital SLRs have bulb mode). The rest is timing—because now you’ve got the exposure and sharpness covered
Harold - thanks. Mine above was 4.1 secs at f/11 ISO 100. Wide angle 12mm. Don's points are important - tripod, cable release; shoot, examine, recompose if necessary. I tend to like to get several burst in one frame, which is why I like bulb mode. I can release the cable (close the shutter) as soon as I think I have enough bursts in a frame, but without too much double exposure or blown highlights.
Since the 4th of July fireworks here in Cary were put on by mother nature (lightning) rather than the city I have posted a shot from last year on Roanoke Island. My theory on shooting them is right along with Dons. Its nice to be set up and have your cable release in hand so you can still watch and enjoy while still shooting the entire time. F/11, 100 iso, and Bulb mode is really the only way to go in my opinion.
Discussion
9 repliesI just thought it might be a great opportunity for those of us who do not normally shoot nocturnal shots. Challenge others who are looking for motivation to get out and shoot. And last but not least, allow us as a group of friends,.. to share our experiences, learn from each other and enjoy this journey we call life.
What doya think...?
Please send some tips or express your thoughts on this subject:
Thanks,
Harold
http://photography.about.com/od/photographybyoccasion/tp/FireworksPhotographyLessons.htm
One thing I've found in shooting fireworks is that it is not nearly as exact a science as people seem to fear it is. It is actually fairly forgiving on exposure (except during finales with tons of smoke and light in the air at once).
~Liz
I'm going to miss most this year I believe, heading out to Colorado for a week or so and will be traveling on the 4th. This is a shot from last year
XT, F16, 14 second exposure(bulb), ISO 200, 17-40@40mm, Tripod, shutter remote
Some folks like to take closeups in bulb mode, put the cap back on, then zoom out and take the cap back off for a few rounds. Makes an interesting composition. Also, try zooming in or out during the exploding burst and see what you can get (have to have good steady hands to do that without jostling the camera on the tripod - you are using a tripod aren't you?!!! - or maybe a monopd to help at least steady the up-down axis).
The main thing is to experiment and take alot of shots and figure out what to change on the camera. With digital, you have a wonderful chance of fine tuning your exposure within minutes of the start. Expect many shots that are blah. But with the great ones you get, who is ever going to know about your blah ones (click delete!!)
Troup Nightingale
Thomas, beautiful shot of the flag with fireworks in background. Is that a particular show you go to on a regular basis or did you happen upon that location while shooting fire works????
No matter, it is really inspiring....
Liz and Troup, great info!!. I really like the your specific examples and creative suggestions.
If you are reading this topic and have some other ideas or techniques please post them. We would love to here from you...
Harold
How to Shoot Fireworks
So, I thought with the Fourth of July coming up this week, I’d do a quick post on how to shoot Fireworks (well, how to photograph fireworks, anyway). So today I’m posting the technique, directly from page 175 in my book. Thanks to Mark for the comment (saying nice things like that is a surefire way to get my attention, by the way), and for inspiring this post today. Here we go:
This is another one that throws a lot of people (one of my best friends, who didn’t get a single crisp fireworks shot on the Fourth of July, made me including this tip just for him, and the thousands of other digital shooter that share his pain).
For starters, you’ll need to shoot fireworks with your camera on a tripod, because you’re going to need a slow enough shutter speed to capture the falling light trails, which is what you’re really after.
Also, this is where using a cable release really pays off, because you’ll need to see the rocket’s trajectory to know when to push the shutter button—if you’re looking in the viewfinder instead, it will be more of a hit or miss proposition.
Next, use a zoom lens (ideally a 200mm or more) so you can get in tight and capture just the fireworks themselves. If you want fireworks and the background (like fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World), then use a wider lens.
Now, I recommend shooting in full Manual mode, because you just set two settings and you’re good to go:
Set the Shutter Speed to 4 seconds
Set the Aperture to f/11. Fire a test shot and look at the LCD monitor on the back of your camera to see if you like the results. If it overexposes, lower the shutter speed to 3 seconds, then take another shot and check the results again.
TIP: If your camera has “Bulb” mode (where the shutter stays open as long as you hold down the shutter release button down), this works great–hold the shutter button down when the rocket bursts, then release when the light trails start to fade. (By the way; most Canon and Nikon digital SLRs have bulb mode). The rest is timing—because now you’ve got the exposure and sharpness covered