fireworks w/o remote release?

silversx80

I did a quick search, but couldn't find much, so I'm hoping this thread could help (if anyone can help) me, and others like me, to shoot better fireworks tonight and tomorrow. I hope I put this in the right forum.

I'm stuck without a cable release. Check that... I'm stuck with a cable release for first-gen E-system cameras, not knowing that at the time of purchase. Anyway, it won't work, so I have to shoot tonight without one. I'm looking for any tips so my lines are squiggly (as happened last night).

Here is what I've been able to gather so far:

- Sturdy tripod -- I just yesterday picked up a Manfrotto 190XB + Manfrotto ball head
- Made my own black cover -- a piece of cardboard covered with some black cloth.

Examples of two that worked and one that did not. The ones that do not seem to have a vertical-shake to the camera since vertical lines are not really disturbed.







Here is the most interesting part, fireworks are squiggly, yet light trails from cars are not :scratch. I have an idea why, but hoping someone can confirm it.

Slinky0390

The reason that the fireworks are squiggly is most likely because the light is emitted from a projectile that is not that aerodynamic so it deflects as its flying through the air or as it's hit by wind gusts. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, otherwise great shots!

GoofBckt

Regardless, I really like all these shots. I think they're fabulous and very interesting to the eye. I don't think perfection is always the best answer.

silversx80 wrote:

I did a quick search, but couldn't find much, so I'm hoping this thread could help (if anyone can help) me, and others like me, to shoot better fireworks tonight and tomorrow. I hope I put this in the right forum.

I'm stuck without a cable release. Check that... I'm stuck with a cable release for first-gen E-system cameras, not knowing that at the time of purchase. Anyway, it won't work, so I have to shoot tonight without one. I'm looking for any tips so my lines are squiggly (as happened last night).

Here is what I've been able to gather so far:

- Sturdy tripod -- I just yesterday picked up a Manfrotto 190XB + Manfrotto ball head
- Made my own black cover -- a piece of cardboard covered with some black cloth.

Examples of two that worked and one that did not. The ones that do not seem to have a vertical-shake to the camera since vertical lines are not really disturbed.







Here is the most interesting part, fireworks are squiggly, yet light trails from cars are not . I have an idea why, but hoping someone can confirm it.

silversx80

GoofBckt wrote:

Regardless, I really like all these shots. I think they're fabulous and very interesting to the eye. I don't think perfection is always the best answer.

Well, thank you very much

I did, however, manage to get some pretty clean lines on the fourth (my smugmug link below). I still used bulb release (w/o a remote release), sat quite a bit closer to the fireworks and only used the first extension of the legs on my tripod.