Tips for photographing fireworks- Need help quick!

Red Bull · July 2, 2005

I will be going to a fireworks show at my school and just thought of bringing the 20D. I've never photographed fireworks before. What are some tips on it? I'm guessing I should manual focus. What about shutter speed? Is it just kind of a guess and shoot? Thanks for any help... I will be leaving in about 30 minutes so I need some help fast please! Thank you!

EDIT: Oops. I just realized this should probably be in the "how-to" forum.

2nd EDIT: Don't need advice quiclky anymore.

Andy · July 2, 2005

Red Bull wrote:

I will be going to a fireworks show at my school and just thought of bringing the 20D. I've never photographed fireworks before. What are some tips on it? I'm guessing I should manual focus. What about shutter speed? Is it just kind of a guess and shoot? Thanks for any help... I will be leaving in about 30 minutes so I need some help fast please! Thank you!

EDIT: Oops. I just realized this should probably be in the "how-to" forum.

http://www.nyip.com/tips/current/firewksintro.php

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=14000&highlight=fireworks

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

http://www.digicamhelp.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks/how-to-photograph-fireworks.htm

http://www.calphoto.com/firework.htm

http://www.garryblack.com/fireworks.htm

Mike Lane · July 2, 2005

I'm not sure I can offer any more than the links that Andy posted. I've read all of those and I still had some troubles my first go around (there is a minor league ball team here that has had fireworks 2 times in the past 2 days and more tomorrow!).

So here's what I can say based upon my experience in the last two days.

1) For God's sake don't use mirror lock up.

2) Make sure to get there a bit early, find the pyros and make friends and pass out business cards (if you can of course). These guys are very proud of their work and often want pictures of their show. If you're the only real photographer pointing a lens at the show that they know about, guess what, they're going to want to buy some shots from you. Oh and they'll know the best place to set up your camera probably.

3) Try to find somewhere to practice before the 4th. Since the 4th is on Monday, I've found there are a ton of big shows on the 3rd around here. I bet there are where you are too.

4) Don't spend time analyzing your shot on the display other than in a mode that will blink when pixels are blown out. Try to minimize those blinking parts and you'll be good to go.

5) Get a good muscle memory of exactly what you need to do to adjust your shutter speed and aperture.

6) Set up your camera long before the show and focus on something at infinity (the sky if it's light enough still, some far away buildings whatever) then switch off your autofocus. Plug in your remote cable release (you have one right? If not your only recourse is the timer -- best of luck timing shots with that.) and set your mode to manual and for the first part of the show use 5 seconds at f-6.3 to f-8. I'd maybe lean a little towards the faster side to check for the blinking pixels and then stop it down if you see them. Listen for the shell to be launched and if you're close enough watch it go up and at the appropriate time release the shutter. You'll probably get a few bursts, that's what you want.

7) Towards the end of the show step down the aperture to f/11 or f/16 (be biased toward the lower end of the scale) and drop your shutter speed to 1 or 2 seconds. You'll think that you can't get anything but trust me, if you keep f/6.3 and 5 seconds, you'll get a big white blob, and no one likes a big white blob.

8) Do yourself a favor and try to watch some of the show outside of the viewfinder. Fireworks rule.

wxwax · July 3, 2005

Werd, Mike. You don't get many chances to practice, and it's hard. Mine last year had no color, all white and blobby. Exposures too long. Good advice.

Red Bull · July 3, 2005

Thank you very much for the advice, even if I did read it after the show! I think I got some OK shots. Nothing spectacular. Unfortunately I didn't have a remote shutter release, and I didn't use the timer mode so I just went ahead and tried pressing the shutter button carefully.

I also don't have business cards or anything, seeing as I'm only 16.

For most of the show I just messed around with using different apertures and shutter speed combinations. I learned a lot from it.

I'm sure there will be more opportunities. Come next year I will probably be more reade with some better equipment like a remote release, a better lens, and a better tripod.

Thanks again for the tips. I will keep them in mind when I shoot another fireworks show.

Mike Lane · July 3, 2005

Red Bull wrote:

I also don't have business cards or anything, seeing as I'm only 16. For most of the show I just messed around with using different apertures and shutter speed combinations. I learned a lot from it.

I'm assuming you have the capability to sell your shots? Why not let people know that fact? I've found that people really do like photography especially when they have something to do with the subject. Don't sell yourself short with the whole age thing. A picture's a picture no matter the age of the eye behind the viewfinder.

Red Bull wrote:

I'm sure there will be more opportunities. Come next year I will probably be more reade with some better equipment like a remote release, a better lens, and a better tripod.

You'll have years and years and years full of opportunities

Red Bull wrote:

Thanks again for the tips. I will keep them in mind when I shoot another fireworks show.

No problemo...

Chase · July 5, 2005

Red Bull wrote:

Thank you very much for the advice, even if I did read it after the show! I think I got some OK shots. Nothing spectacular. Unfortunately I didn't have a remote shutter release, and I didn't use the timer mode so I just went ahead and tried pressing the shutter button carefully.

I also don't have business cards or anything, seeing as I'm only 16. For most of the show I just messed around with using different apertures and shutter speed combinations. I learned a lot from it.

I'm sure there will be more opportunities. Come next year I will probably be more reade with some better equipment like a remote release, a better lens, and a better tripod.

Thanks again for the tips. I will keep them in mind when I shoot another fireworks show.

I am 17 and i got a whole box of 1000 business cards for 35 bucks. They easily paid for themselves.

Just go to Kinkos or copymax or something and ask to get your own design set up. It couldnt be any easier.

Tips for photographing fireworks- Need help quick!

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