Fireworks help

S

SAVA9E

Suspended / Banned
Messages
504
Name
Paul
Edit My Images
Yes
Tomorrow night is the end of the Worcester festival and it all ends with fireworks over the cathedral.

I have a Canon 450D

Lenses i could use are as follows

Canon efs 17-85mm
Canon efs 18-55mm
Canon ef 50mm
Tamron af 28-200mm

Cable remote
Tripod
ND filter 2-4-8

Now ive been told to stick between F8-F16 and use bulb mode starting just before the firework goes off and releasing just after it finishes.

So any help appreciated and the results posted tomorrow night.
 
Go wide angle, the 17-85 at 17mm or the 18-55 at 18. Get some forground in for afew or most shots as it adds visual cues to the scene, a shot of just a firework on its own is bland. See if you can get up high somwhere. Capture 2-6 fireworks per shot so shutter speed of 5-10 secs. Also if you are too close you'l end up with a lot of smoke around you so work out wind direction beforehand.
 
Hi,

I'd use a widish focal length, get a nice composition with interesting buildings, or skyline rather than just the fireworks in the sky.

I'm sure someone will help with iso/shutter speed , but it all depends on the amount of ambient light still around or light coming from buildings.

But i'd certainly recommend an old trick using black card to get 'multiple shots' in one shot rather than just one or two fireworks going off. A sky full of fireworks always looks more impressive. Work out how long you need the shutter open to get a good exposure. Let's say its 20seconds. Then I'd set the camera to bulb mode and when one firework goes off, open the shutter and start counting seconds. When the firework disappears, hold a piece of black card over the lens blocking any light, and stop counting. When another firework you like goes off, remove the card, and continue counting until the firework dies. Repeat a few times and when you reach '20' then you can close the shutter. As you've only exposed for 20 seconds without the card in place the exposure should be about right but more exciting than just on or two fireworks in the sky.

I think like most things, the idea is to experiment - it'll come good in the end! Maybe look on Flickr for exit settings on shots you like?

Hope this helps,

Mark.
 
wavefront said:
But i'd certainly recommend an old trick using black card to get 'multiple shots' in one shot rather than just one or two fireworks going off. A sky full of fireworks always looks more impressive. Work out how long you need the shutter open to get a good exposure. Let's say its 20seconds. Then I'd set the camera to bulb mode and when one firework goes off, open the shutter and start counting seconds. When the firework disappears, hold a piece of black card over the lens blocking any light, and stop counting. When another firework you like goes off, remove the card, and continue counting until the firework dies. Repeat a few times and when you reach '20' then you can close the shutter. As you've only exposed for 20 seconds without the card in place the exposure should be about right but more exciting than just on or two fireworks in the sky.

Hope this helps,

Mark.
Click to expand...

Agree the black card is useful to capture a few fireworks, below is 4 firework explosions I wiggled the black card over the bonfire area so not to blow it out, exifs on the border Clicky Linky to thread for more info, and dont try get to many as it gets messy, Notice the high VP I chose to get the feel of the whole scene, I dont bother counting the secs, more concentrate on watching the fireworks and enjoying them myself, and making sure I dont knock the camera LOL also do lots of single shots just in case your extended shot doesnt work LOL


Redbank Scouts Bonfire and Fireworks Display Duxbury Park Chorley Lancashire by Just Daves Photos, on Flickr

Dave
 
Last edited:
Thats a good idea, i like that.

Fireworks will be let off over the river severn and cathedral as below.

DSC06588.jpg
 
Just changed the link in my post it was the wrong thread

Id try get an even wider VP as you could get great reflections with more water, and the fireworks will probably be a lot higher than the framing you have at the moment, and looking more flat on to the churches and the spire will be straighter

woow leaning tower of Worcester :lol:
 
Last edited:
Might be better from this angle though as the bridge will be packed.

b76d7597.jpg
 
Last edited:
Just Dave said:
Just done a quick search of flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/rbilsland/sets/72157624844291316/with/4943573898/ those look like the same VP you have I can see better shots with more water say across on the other bank

and more but these also could have fab reflection http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajk/sets/72157622089981417/ but least you now have an idea where the FW are going to be approx
Click to expand...
Looks like a good place in the first link, the second link i would need a good zoom lens to get them from fort royal hill.

You circled shot would not have much interest in the foreground, just a carpark.
 
SAVA9E said:
Looks like a good place in the first link, the second link i would need a good zoom lens to get them from fort royal hill.

You circled shot would not have much interest in the foreground, just a carpark.
Click to expand...

I meant so your overlooking the water front from the banking or bridge, with no carpark just the water, you wouldnt need a zoom lens, Im not familiar with the town but heres a google map of where I meant by the lamp, get there early to secure your place Clicky linky or maybe down the path on the right side of the banking if theres no trees in the way
 
Path on right is where they will be firing the fireworks from so a no go, i will try the bridge but it gets packed.
 
Thinking stood in the middle of this field, the cathedral will be lit up and the tree tops from the fireworks.

ed885f49.jpg


Try and get this close but with a bit more sky

1322cb64.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top