Fireworks Help - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical HF for Pentax

11/22/2007 04:26:30 PM · #1

I am being paid as a roving photographer tomorrow (Saturday 3-8pm) and have been asked to make sure that I get photos of the fireworks as well. I have taken photos of fireworks before (about 2 years ago) that turned out ok but I cant remember what I did. I think I would have just had the camera set on timer as I didn't have a digital SLR at that time. I have had a look at the settings used by other photographers on DPC but am getting a huge range of settings: F7-F22 / ISO 50-200 / 1-13sec. Could I get some advice please as to what setting I should be concentrating on. I wont get any time to get any practice shots and need to get some really good ones on the night. Thanks for all the help that I know I am going to get :)

Pug-H

Pentax K10D

11/22/2007 05:12:36 PM · #2

this should help, (or add to the confusion {Â°Â¤Â°} )

a previous fireworks thread

11/22/2007 05:33:21 PM · #3

Thanks, had a quick look. Has a lot of good info. Will read more indepth later.

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

11/22/2007 06:24:21 PM · #4

I shoot fireworks on ISO 400, aperture at around F8, and shutter speed at around 3 secs.

Of course, you could take a tripod, stick your camera on bulb and just keep the shutter open with a piece of black card (or your hand) in front of the shutter for when the fireworks actually explode- the explosions just come out as white flashes, no colourful sparks so watch out for them.

If you want to be fancy you can zoom in and out on the lens when you're half way through an exposure too, gives them a weird effect.

Also, since you're shooting for an assignment try and include some of the crowd. I did this by using my lens on 17mm behind the crowd and making the frame so the bottom of the picture was heads and shoulders, this makes it look a little more interesting and proves that people were actually there. And if you can get in any landmarks then that would be even better. It's not just about the fireworks, it's the environment too.

11/22/2007 07:03:59 PM · #5

Thanks Tez, very helpful suggestions. Will work on getting the crowd in. I will post some results on this thread on Sunday to show the results.