OT - Fireworks Tips Needed

I have never tried photographing fireworks before and instead of going out and wasting an entire July 4th and having to wait a year before applying my self-learned knowledge from this year, I was wondering if someone can provide me a few tips so I can make this year a success.

Hoping for tips such as:
Best lens to use?
Best Camera settings (I know this depends on what I am gong for, but basics)?
Tripod mandatory?

Any other thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Kurt

PROTIP: There is an end you hold and an end you light. They are not the same end.

I'm going to have to agree with Todd on this.

I actually read this article last year, but never got around to shooting them. The article just has a few basic tips. I think I'm going to get off the couch and try to shoot them this year.

Thanks Todd!! That might have been a disaster without that advice...once again, you saved the day!!

and thank you Charles....

Hey Kurt! I took some a few years ago at Fiddler's Green (or whatever they're calling it now). Tripod -yes. Bulb setting on camera. Cable/remote shutter release. Position yourself away from artificial light sources (i.e. street lights, car headlights etc). ISO 100. F stop in the 8 - 16 range. I used a wide angle zoom (19-35mm). Manual focus set to infinity. A piece of cardboard painted black...the reason is if you want layered shots, while the bulb exposure is cranking away place the cardboard in front of the lens between explosions. Take it away when you see another round going up...works like a charm Also, take a small flashlight so you can see what the heck you're doing. I think that's everything...good luck, it's fun! Here's some I took...scroll down a bit in the gallery:
http://www.pbase.com/wildestdreams/night_moves

Awesome tips Pamela! I will give them a try...thank you!

Pam's advice is right on. I used the same methods in this photo of the show in Castle Rock (as viewed from above on Echo Ridge on my apartment deck at the time). Bulb setting + the black cardboard is key to help you expose for a variety of bursts (watch for where they go off and let the cardboard loose only if they blow in several different locations in your frame). Three or four large bursts will be enough for one exposure, otherwise you're likely to overexpose the image.

One helpful thing to add is: if you can manage it, try not to be downwind of the show. If all the powder/smoke that accumulates heads your way it will make your photos blurrier toward the "grand finale." Also, if you get the chance, reflections are cool too as many shows are done along lakes or other bodies of water.

All that said, here's a snapshot I took at a Rockies game last year with the 1.3 mp camera on my cell phone. Guess it also just helps to be at the right place at the right time.

The other tips are great. I like a little foreground in my shots-such as an entire skyline or if you know exactly where they will be shot, even a single definitive building top etc. Expose the foreground/skyline right BEFORE any fireworks are shot and get a comp/exposure you like with no fireworks (usually the rockies turning the lights off in the stadium is a good queue that the show is about to start). You can blend this FG exposure in if needed to the fireworks shots. The fireworks at the beginning of the show will stand out more since there is no lingering smoke in the air. Most people assume the finale will be the best, but there is usually so much smoke in the air that you don't get that stark black backdrop. Here's a pano shot in Seattle this past spring (Fireworks are on far right and I'm sure compression will kill this in this size-oh well) Have fun and a happy 4th to all

Thom Hogan has nice short series of tips.

1. Buy point and shoot camera.
2. Put camera on tripod.
3. Set camera to "fireworks" mode.
4. Shoot.

At least, that's what I'm going to be doing. I'll just be hanging with the family at the Thornton fireworks display, so just snapshot shooting for me.

Thanks for the tips everyone!