6 replies to this topic

[Cbenner]

Hi there.  I'm new to these forums, other that introducing myself in the "say hello" area.  I'm also new to cameras that you cannot make a phone call from.  I have a Nikon D3300 with the stock 18-55 lens it comes with.  I also just bought and am waiting delivery of a 55-300 telephoto.

 

My question is, what tips can you offer me on taking fireworks photos?  I'm heading to Walt Disney World late next week and I plan to see several shows at the different parks.  Any good tips on settings to try?  I will be using a tripod and a remote... assuming I can find a spot to set up.

 

Thanks in advance for helping out a newbie.

[deano]

Good luck with your trip to Disney world.  I'm not one to help with fireworks photos but someone will chime in with expert advice.

[Merco_61]

Shooting fireworks isn't difficult, getting them as you visualized before the shot is the hard part. Start by setting everything up beforehand and try to set a focal length you think you will like. Do everything manually. Aperture, shutter, focus and ISO. ISO – as low as possible, aperture – f/8-11 and shutter usually somewhere between 2 and 10 seconds. After the first shot, check your histogram and look for a curve that is bunched as far right as possible on the x-axis without going past the end. Adjust for the next exposure using the shutterspeed.

It is usually easier to set up the tripod behind your blanket as you can then keep your head down and get a better field of view for the lens. Try not to be downwind from the launching site as the smoke will reduce contrast as it comes drifting.

[Nikonite]

How's this to get you started? Of course your lighting conditions will be different. Oh . . ... Thanks for visiting DW and thereby Florida. You are paying my state taxes and I appreciate it! You can't go wrong with either EPCOT or the Magic Kingdom's fireworks. The edge goes to the Magic Kingdom's. There's just something about having the castle and Tinkerbell with the fireworks that's hard to beat! Just so you know the picture is not DW related. It's the Stratosphere in Las Vegas. 

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[Merco_61]

If you transpose ISO 800, 1/4s and f/5 to a lower ISO, you get ISO 200, 1s and f/5. This is the same exposure as ISO 200, 2 s and ISO 7.1. With the lower ISO, the dynamic range of the sensor is even greater. I shouldn't have said ISO as low as possible, rather ISO – the lowest numerical value your camera has. Extended ISO usually gives strange colours or lower DR than base ISO.

[Nikonite]

Yes this is but one shot of many where I tried your exact calculations. Some I've got complete stop action and some I've got the fireworks with long tails. The one I posted was right about in the middle. Just giving the OP a place to start.  

[TBonz]

Like Peter said in the Balloon thread, I haven't really shot fireworks since the film days, but I have to say I got some great shots of the fireworks over Washington DC back in the day!  His recommendations are pretty much right on as far as I recall.  I think I used ISO 400 film at anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds and probably f11 or f16.  I needed the DOF as long as I could for the view I had...They shoot them from the grounds of the Washington Monument and I was in a position where I could also capture the Capital and Lincoln Memorial in the shot...I found one of the shots that I'd printed so will try and get it scanned in and posted here this week...As I recall, it is my least favorite but I gave the best ones away as a gift to some friends when I visited them in London.  They had visited me in the DC area several years before and were disappointed they didn't get to see the fireworks...