Fireworks Advice please

Snapdragon

Snapdragon

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Tracey
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Right, going to Blackpool next weekend for the international fireworks. I've had some success with fireworks but would like to improve, so been researching and I have the following sussed:

  • Tripod
  • Auto shutter release
  • shoot in manual
  • Bulb mode, Aperture around f8 and ISO 100

I shall be using my kit lens (I have 55-250 and nifty fifty too, but kit lens was suggested as best) and I shall be shooting from the lower promenade beyond North Pier.

A couple of other things were suggested:

1. setting focus to manual and infinity - don't think I can do this with my kit lens can I?
2. White Balance - down to personal taste apparently, daylight giving a warmer glow and tungsten a cooler one.
3. Shooting in RAW - can someone tell me the benefits to this please. Do I need to convert the images in some way, do I need specific software? I normally only use Picasa to edit my photos.

Anything else anyone can think of appreciated greatly :thumbs:
 
1. Should be able to, little switch on lens to manual and twist till the '8' symbol is lined up. Try shooting a few distant street lights to check beforehand.
2. Your choice, the light will keep changing. If shooting Raw it's doesn't really matter.
3. Raw files are the raw data from the camera sensor containing more detailed picture information than the jpeg you'd get otherwise. This makes it very usefull for getting more detail out of shadows and highlights when it comes to editing. Also the white balance has not been applied so you can change it afterwards as many times as you want without degrading the image. I'm not familiar with Picassa but you will need Raw processing software, which comes with your camera or you may be able to download from the Canon website.
 
1. There will be an option to turn off auto focus then your have to find the focus point and leave it there.
1a. Its likely not marked on a modern auto focus lens, but on Nikons its usually all the way to the left then right a bit. Really scientific! Don't know about cannon.
2. Shoot raw you'll have a better chance of rescuing a photo that goes awry.
3. Picasa can cope with raw and its basic tools are better than what the camera will do.

Additionally some insights I read not long ago before I tried my first fireworks last weekend:
Try and get some interest in the shot not just pictures of the explosions. Whilst these are cool a little bit of setting adds immensely to the photo.
Shameless plug
 
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It's not marked on my kit lens (18-55mm mk1), but it is on all my others. Manual focus to max distance then turn it back a little is the most likely point. Although I'd probably focus a little closer than '8'. Fortunatly at f.8+ you should have some leeway.
 
Aw no how annoying!

I've had 3 experiences with fireworks and the first two times I set my shutter speed to around 1/60th (on shutter speed priority) and ISO 400 and ended up with some really nice photos.

Yet the last time I pretty much used the same method that you mentioned in OP and was not impressed, I dont know what might of gone wrong, maybe I was holding the shutter down for too long or too little but the fireworks all seemed a little dark and fading out?
 
Snapdragon said:
Absolutely gutted, travelled all the way over from Hull and it was cancelled!
Click to expand...


Soz to hear it dint happen, also no ones mentioned a cable release :thumbs: I would use ISO 100, F11, soon as you see the firework go up open the shutter, just as its finishing exploding close the shutter, I also use a black card to cover the lens between volleys, so I can get 3 or 4 volleys of FW in shot


Redbank Scouts Bonfire and Fireworks Display Duxbury Park Chorley Lancashire by Just Daves Photos, on Flickr
 
Forgot to to say theres a switch on the left side of your lens to switch to manual focus, usually the bonfire will be burning so you can use manual focus or if its in a city there should be ambient light to make sure youve got good focus, take a shot and check, go early, get a nice spot, this is for next time obviously :thumbs:
 
Thanks, I do have a cable release. I'm not sure if I'd book to go again just for the fireworks, too risky, I never even considered it might be cancelled, but with the wind blowing off the sea I can see there was no choice. We still had a fantastic weekend cos we love Blackpool anyway.

I did still use my camera and got some decent dusk shots of the pleasure beach and some light trails using the trams, will post later.

Thanks again for all your tips and advice, I'm sure they'll come in useful on Bonfire Night, although our city council decided not to have a display last year as it was too expensive!!
 
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