Fireworks

[Asha]

There is a firework display on tuesday evening in the local bay.
Although far from new to photography, I am somewhat new to capturing firework displays.
Tripod and remote shutter release are already packed with the D80 body....a little unsure which lens as I will be set back a bit from the action.
Wide angle is unlikely to work as there is a lot of lighting on the promenade which will impose into the final image.
I was thinking possibly a telephoto....55-200mm .
Do I stop down to say F/22 ?? and if so what sort of exposure time do i give.
I did read somewhere a long time ago about leaving the shuuter open and using black card in between the actual explosions of the fireworks.
As you can tell, it really is an area that I am not up to speed with so any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[*Babs]

I took this set on Guy Fawkes' night after I'd had my camera only 6 weeks.

Tripod and shutter release cable, and my 50mm lens (best in low light, I figured). With varying exposures of around 3/4 seconds and around f/10.

It was pretty much trial and error for me, but it worked (I think!)

 

[Asha]

Some good shots...I've left you a comment on my favourite.
Thanks for your help

 

[*Babs]

Thank you That wasn't the reason I posted, but it's always nice.

Just have a bit of a play around and check your results every frame 'til you're comfortable with the shots you're taking. It wasn't as bad as I feared before I went in all actuality.

 

[Asha]

It's taken a while to get around to uploading them but here are a few of the results of my first attempt at firework display photography....These are exactly as the photos were taken with no pp.
Personally I am reasonably pleased with them although I did take far too many that were simply overexposed....something I will be more aware of next time.

Any tips on what to do or not do next time would be appreciated

 

[hypnotic]

Everthing looks fine to me.

Obviously not getting everything in shot is a bit of a problem but not one that can be fixed easily when it is dark.

 

[Asha]

That was the difficult part...working out where the explosions were going to be as each display differed in size.
Making adjustments to focal length and camera position was a little frustrating as no sooner would I adjust and that particular display was finished .
Perhaps I was trying a little too hard capture all the display!

 

[latercomer2]

Personally I think they look great, gettong everything framed correctly must be nigh on impossible unless you know where they are going to go off and when.

 

[Mike Jackson]

The only way I've managed to get everything in frame with fireworks is to use my 10-20 and crop afterwards.

 

[jennifer]

I shoot on bulb with a cable on a tripod that's loose. f11, ISO 100. I've tried the blackcard and for me it was easier to not. I did have some success but i use my free hand for changing focus both ways. Even though I'm on a tripod, it is against my body and I rock it up onto two or sometimes one of the pods to help with composition. Each year I try a new technique. And don't forget earplugs. Happy shooting.

 

[Asha]

Thank you all for your comments...Seems that I have done pretty much ok for a first attempt...can't wait for the next opportunity!