Fireworks tips?

MitchellMitchell Registered Users Posts: 3,503 Major grins
edited June 27, 2005 in Technique
With the fourth rapidly approaching. I would appreciate any and all tips on how to best shoot fireworks. Examples with exif info would be most helpful.

Now get out there and be patriotic by posting some useful tips for all of us!
Mitch
http://clearwaterphotography.smugmug.com/

Comments

  • Eric&SusanEric&Susan Registered Users Posts: 1,280 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2005
    Mitchell wrote:
    With the fourth rapidly approaching. I would appreciate any and all tips on how to best shoot fireworks. Examples with exif info would be most helpful.

    Now get out there and be patriotic by posting some useful tips for all of us!
    I was just thinking about this today, great postclap.gif . I too would be interested in some tips and suggestions.

    Thanks,

    Eric
    "My dad taught me everything I know, unfortunately he didn't teach me everything he knows" Dale Earnhardt Jr

    It's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.

    http://photosbyeric.smugmug.com
  • Eric&SusanEric&Susan Registered Users Posts: 1,280 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2005
    I just did a quick search and came up with this:


    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=1806&highlight=fireworks

    Looks like a lot of good info with some links (didn't check those out).

    Eric
    "My dad taught me everything I know, unfortunately he didn't teach me everything he knows" Dale Earnhardt Jr

    It's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.

    http://photosbyeric.smugmug.com
  • GREAPERGREAPER Registered Users Posts: 3,113 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2005
    Eric&Susan wrote:
    I just did a quick search and came up with this:


    http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=1806&highlight=fireworks

    Looks like a lot of good info with some links (didn't check those out).

    Eric

    Here is a gallery of my shots from last year. Exif is available for all of the shots via the "details" link under the photo.

    Good luck, It's fun
    http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/

  • jthomasjthomas Registered Users Posts: 454 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2005
    Here are some nice fireworks shots with EXIF data displayed.
  • Eric&SusanEric&Susan Registered Users Posts: 1,280 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2005
    Brian---I seen at least one of those fireworks shots around here before, they are all simply outstandingclap.gif

    Eric
    "My dad taught me everything I know, unfortunately he didn't teach me everything he knows" Dale Earnhardt Jr

    It's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.

    http://photosbyeric.smugmug.com
  • tmlphototmlphoto Registered Users Posts: 1,444 Major grins
    edited June 26, 2005
    GREAPER wrote:
    Here is a gallery of my shots from last year. Exif is available for all of the shots via the "details" link under the photo.

    Good luck, It's fun
    Brian, I can't find your fireworks gallery. I remember from last year that they were fantastic. Please post the link.
    Thomas :D

    TML Photography
    tmlphoto.com
  • Mike LaneMike Lane Registered Users Posts: 7,106 Major grins
    edited June 27, 2005
    Fortunately for me the Tacoma Rainers have fireworks every now and then so I get to go practice my techniques before the real show on the 4th. So reading around on the web at NY photo, the smithsonian and others, I settled on shooting with mirror lockup enabled, started at ISO 100 at F/11.

    Stupid me, I forgot to switch it to manual focus...GAH!!! I figured out what was taking so damned long half way through the show. Then I was flustered and the mirror lock up was getting me all turned around. Did I just lock the mirror up or did it just take a shot. Damn! I missed a great one. Once I settled back down again the show was over pretty much.

    I did get the chance to realize that f/11 was too slow. My 20D calls for something more around the f/6.3 to f/4 range. As the displays get more intense I could probably back it down to f/8 or f/11. I'm not going to do mirror lock up again. I'm thinking that the camera shake from mlu isn't going to be all that noticeable in this situation anyhow. I have the good version of the wired remote for the canon. That'll allow me to compose the shot once and then just sit back and watch the show while I fire the shutter when necessary.

    So the last show was a big disaster for me. Live and learn. Fortunately for me the Tacoma Rainers have not one but TWO more fireworks shows before the 4th of July (one on the 1st and one on the 3rd for all you pacific north-westerners out there). If anyone is in the area and wants to shoot, let me know and we'll meet up.

    Here is the one and only semi-reasonable shot I got the whole night.

    26054589-L.jpg
    Date Taken: 2005-06-24 22:37:36 Date Modified: 2005-06-24 23:27:23 Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 20D Size: 2208x3312 Bytes: 1802718 Aperture: f/7.1 ISO: 100 Focal Length: 17mm Exposure Time: 5s (5/1) Flash: Flash did not fire, compulsory flash mode Exposure Program: Manual Exposure Bias: 0 ColorSpace: sRGB

    Hope this helps!

    EDIT: Now that I think about it, I'll probably make sure the lights at the bottom aren't in the shot next time.
    Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance.

    http://photos.mikelanestudios.com/
  • Mike LaneMike Lane Registered Users Posts: 7,106 Major grins
    edited June 27, 2005
    Okay, one more post. I just remembered that I did some shots last year with the camera I had then the Olympus C-750. I submitted them to the dcresource fireworks shootout (they're doing that again this year btw http://www.dcresource.com/specials/Fireworks2005/index.shtml)

    Anyhow, here are two that I got from then. I'll have to go into the archives to figure out the exif (but I think that generally they are f/5.6 and 5 or 6 sec shots).

    (I know, they're crooked as all get out, I thought that no photoshopping meant no nothing at all so I submitted them right from the camera)

    lane1-pp.JPG

    lane2-pp.JPG
    Y'all don't want to hear me, you just want to dance.

    http://photos.mikelanestudios.com/
  • Eric&SusanEric&Susan Registered Users Posts: 1,280 Major grins
    edited June 27, 2005
    tmlphoto wrote:
    Brian, I can't find your fireworks gallery. I remember from last year that they were fantastic. Please post the link.
    I hope Brian doesn't mind but I found these in his SM link

    http://dehmphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/155915/1/5791195

    If that's what your looking for.

    Eric
    "My dad taught me everything I know, unfortunately he didn't teach me everything he knows" Dale Earnhardt Jr

    It's better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for who you're not.

    http://photosbyeric.smugmug.com
  • John MuellerJohn Mueller Registered Users Posts: 2,555 Major grins
    edited June 27, 2005
    Good post.
    Hope to see lots of shots cause Ill be in bed when it all startsne_nau.gificon10.gif
    My Smuggy

    Cincinnati Smug Leader
Sign In or Register to comment.