Author | Thread |
|
04/19/2014 11:28:45 AM · #1 |
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos?pid=6003985224163804338&oid=101254283767804839237
I am kinda excited.. my hubby is a professional Pryo and we had the first fireworks of the season at our local baseball stadium..
Next to it we are having a HUGE Ferris wheel being installed for our entertainment permanently.. the city and ball park have put a lot of money into this thing.. so last night as I was awaiting the fireworks because I wanted to take a pictures of it and practice my night shooting, I took a picture of this Ferris wheel.. I was so engrossed into taking pictures and to figure out what settings I needed to be in because I was shooting manual mode, manual focus.. I forgot about the firework pictures LOL
You ever feel like a kid waiting for Christmas? This is kinda how I was when I took the picture. I have been taking the steps of stages of where they are at from ground bottom up.. to see this is amazing..and usually I take pics during the day.. but to try to take at night.. it was amazing and fun!
Either I am getting old, or my entertainment needs to change to be excited about something so little and taking pictures at night is a totally new photography animal to learn. I never really took pictures at night so this is something totally out of the normal realm for me
Message edited by author 2014-04-19 11:34:49. |
|
|
04/19/2014 11:48:48 AM · #2 |
I am so jealous about your ferris wheel! Have fun with that for sure.
I find fireworks pretty easy when there's about 20 minutes of them, like on Canada Day (4th of July for you muricans). The first few allow you to adjust your aperture and maybe the focus (infinity is usually ok though it seems). But at a ball game where there's I guess one flurry of works and that's it, the pressure's on to have it set up right at the get go!
To me, using the bulb setting is the most important thing for fireworks. My only ribbon was a firework as it happens: . |
|
|
04/19/2014 01:08:48 PM · #3 |
VERY cool. As for what gets you excited... just wait until you realize you've just spent 3 hours taking pictures of the exact same thing. And loved it. |
|
|
04/19/2014 01:27:35 PM · #4 |
Deeby, I never learned the settings to the fireworks yet, but the show lasts only 15 minutes and its never dead air space...
I can't wait till it gets its seats and lights on it.. I think it will be soo pretty..
LOL Tanguera, that is so funny you said that.. I spent about 1 1/2 hour just learning to take the Ferris wheel pic, first it was set on auto, then I had on manual... then manual focus, then I think I changed the ISO like 6 times and the F stop I had at 8 then 11... that is what I found so entertaining.. out of 100 photos only like 2 really turned out ? Is this normal? |
|
|
04/19/2014 02:14:22 PM · #5 |
Once you have some fireworks photos this tutorial on creating a Fireworks Finalé should come in handy. Here is one I made last year ...

Message edited by author 2014-04-19 14:14:49. |
|
|
04/19/2014 09:14:21 PM · #6 |
when its up and running, it will be sweet getting fireworks as the Ferris wheel is spinning.
it might be a lot easier if you can get a remote shutter release and set the camera to bulb mode that way you can control the shutter speed duration faster than having to keep changing it on the camera.
A lot of these settings depending on the amount of ambient light you are shooting in for the fire works. I try to get the camera to auto focus on a subject in some what close proximity to where you expect the fireworks to go off. then set the lens in manual focus and make sure you still have a focus confirmation beep or something that the nikons do.
Set aperture to about 5.6, ISO 400, and in bulb mode you control the shutter speed. fire off a few test shots to see if the foreground/background is sufficiently illuminated, but not too much.
Once the fireworks start you really need to be on your toes with the timing. you will see the trail of sparks going up, give it a few seconds then hold the shutter open and wait until the firework goes to full "bloom" then release the shutter. preview the image and adjust the aperture and ISO to increase or decrease brightness. it might take about 10 tries to get the hang of it, but once you do, you will be a pro at it in no time
here is a link to some of my best firework shots over the years.
My Fireworks
James |
|
|
04/20/2014 08:27:21 AM · #7 |
that is an awesome picture General very cool!!! I have saved that tutorial for the next time my hubby shoots the fireworks!
Thanks James for the settings I have put it down in my little notebook I have for settings LOL It is amazing how fast that little notebook collection is growing so I can remember settings on certain things :-)
I can not wait to take it .. I jsut brought a remote on Ebay for 15$ and I have not used it yet. So I will be happy to try it with that.. I am looking into getting a new tripod though..I have a really old one and it takes more time to set it up than it does my camera. Very very cumberson |
|
|
04/20/2014 08:30:19 AM · #8 |
General will that tutorial work about putting together all my pictures together for the pictures I took with the eclipse? I have been trying to find a way to combine pictures like that too, but not sure if it would look like the one with the eclipse |
|
|
04/20/2014 10:12:21 AM · #9 |
pretty much straight out of the camera. a good tripod is very important.
i may have used an nd filter too, the amusement park was very bright..
Message edited by author 2014-04-20 10:13:35. |
|
|
04/20/2014 11:11:02 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by jgirl57: General will that tutorial work about putting together all my pictures together for the pictures I took with the eclipse? I have been trying to find a way to combine pictures like that too, but not sure if it would look like the one with the eclipse |
I think so ... should be the same anytime you want to combine bright subjects on a black background. |
|
|
04/20/2014 03:57:00 PM · #11 |
That's a cool picture too Mike..
I am still learning about filters LOL Never would have thought to use one at night..
The tripod I need to get a new one.. mine is very old |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/09/2025 02:34:25 AM EDT.