I stuck between f/11 and f/14 - between 2.5 and 8 second exposure - ISO was at 100.
Wanted: Tips for fireworks photography.
(43 posts) (20 voices)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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Regulator 75,
Nice pictures.
Your exposure setting are where I started but pretty soon modified them down to the above. The Frence don't do massive displays (virtually every large town has them on Bastile Day), they are quite compact displays but extremely stylish - IME less is definitely more in this case. At this display, an 8 second exposure would have so many fireworks going off it would be a jumble.
A few more examples from that shoot - all polite criticism welcome:
Posted 2 years ago # -
Don't forget you can overlay 2 images (if taken RAW ) on top of each other . You can take 2 of 4-8 second exposures and then combine them in your Nikon to see twice the amount of fireworks .
This works out better than one long shot as you don't know what type of firework is coming up while shooting . If anything real bright is fired In the middle of your 15 second long exposure, it can ruin the whole shot . So 2 of 7-8 seconds exposure overlayed is a safer bet- you can eliminate the burnt-out-highlight one . When you go home , just combine some of them in camera - endless choices if you haven't moved/zoomed - and see how they look .
Posted 2 years ago # -
Interesting idea Paperman. I'll try it next time.
Posted 2 years ago # -
http://sonofvinland.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2tb1vf
Don't forget your tripod. Lower your ISO as low as you can, shutter 112/10 second, aperture F/9.0, oh yeah a wireless shutter release would help a lot as well...hope u enjoy my shot.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Hey JGiraud, you said you were looking for a good quality wide angle for your camera and I don't know if you've found one yet but I strongly suggest if you're on a budget the Tokina 12-24 ATX Pro. Just pick one up and hold it and you'll know what I mean and it: This explains exactly how I feel about it:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/digital-wide-zooms/comparison.htm
Posted 2 years ago # -
That gets the award for furthest off-topic posting. It could only be further off-topic if it wasn't even about photography.
Some form of tourettes syndrome perhaps?
Posted 2 years ago # -
My school friend is a specialist in Tourette syndrome. He was the smartest guy in my year by a long shot his marks were always on average about 5-10% above the second placer and rest of my year which had about 400 people(Yeah, large school) I did beat him once in one subject, science! highlight of my years in school! its really great to hear the passion he has for helping these kids. And its good to know that big brain of his is being put to good use to make a difference in this world.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Did this turn into Nikon MD...? and thanks but i only by Nikon lens...The 12-24mm looks like what i need...
Posted 2 years ago # -
Some very nice still fireworks photos. One thought I always have though is how does your eye actually see them. An example is a shot of moving water. Long exposures give an artistic but drawn out cotton candy image that looks very phony to me as one who does a lot of water images. Fireworks though we sure are not as clear how they looked as it happened. Did you try higher ISO and not like it?? Nice photos though and I am glad we got a chance to see them!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Thanks Davey,
I had the opportunity to shorten the exposure and still use low ISO because I used F8 and bulb simply holding the shutter open until I'd seen enough happen. I do believe that the images I posted represent how I remember the firework too. I understand what you are saying about the water shots, but I think these are quite representative of my memory of the display.
The link to Ken Rockwells site above was the most usefull information and entirely what I based my settings on as it made perfect sense.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I actually shot wide open and often do with fireworks to pretty good effect. This is probably my best fireworks shot (from Osaka Japan 2008)
f/4.5
70mm
5 seconds
iso 100
Posted 2 years ago # -
from osaka this year
this was taken with a phottix wireless trigger. bulb setting on a d700 with 70-200 VRII. 180mm f/16 3.3sec ISO200
very sharp on the crop. would look great on a big poster ad.
as you obviously realised. you really need to worry about getting a good spot to shoot from! people make it almost impossible at a big event (like in osaka)
and the smoke makes it hard to. you need to get the shots off before the smoke.
you photos look really nice.
Posted 2 years ago # -
From Disney World this summer. One place the movable screen on the D5000 came in handy. I was hand holding it over the peoples heads in front of me.
Exposure 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture f/4.2
Focal Length 32 mm
ISO Speed 640
Exposure Bias +2/3 EVPosted 2 years ago # -
kyoshinikon said:
I think the universal consensus is get a tripod, no vr, long manual exposure and no af. Also Bring a lens hood and possibly a black deflector. Stray light will screw up your shots...I agree with "no VR" in the following situation:
you're on a surface which has a lot of traffic. For instance, I was on the JFK bridge for the Macys 4th of July in NYC some years ago, and the traffic was very heavy with all the people, subway, and nearby cop motorcyles...the VR ensures no shakes. Even with hyper-sturdy tripods, you can get some shake, and it's notable slower than 1/8 sec.Posted 2 years ago # -
Some great shots here, but honestly, fireworks are the BEST in Japan, no comparisons at all!
Posted 2 years ago # -
Oh my God what a ow same pics!!
Really enjoyed this thread!!
Posted 1 year ago # -
I would like to add my 2cents and suggest something completely different. Everyone seems to harp about slow shuttertimes & tripods.
Following picture was taken handheld at ISO1600, 1/500s, f/2.0 (using the 35mm 1.8g lens and a D90) :
(in Tanabe, Wakayama, Japan)
I am no firework expert, but usually the closer to the action you are the less useful tripods and long shutter times become ... and the more detail you'll get. So my tip is to get as close as possible and forget about all those "how to shoot firework guides". If getting close is not an option then forget about all i said and bring your tripod.
Posted 1 year ago #
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