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06/29/2004 10:06:50 PM · #26 |
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06/30/2004 01:35:37 AM · #27 |
Originally posted by aerogurl:
Only thing I am worried about is this cable release. I do not have one and there are None made for my camera (fuji s5000), I would run out and buy one tomorrow if I could. |
Do you have a tripod? If so, you'll be fine. Just hold really really still. Don't breathe! Haha! :) I am sure you will be fine at 3 to 5 seconds. I probably wouldn't use the timer because you could miss something. You'll get a lot in 5 seconds if you see the firework shooting up already!
Good luck!
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06/30/2004 01:42:24 AM · #28 |
Originally posted by aerogurl:
Only thing I am worried about is this cable release. I do not have one and there are None made for my camera (fuji s5000), I would run out and buy one tomorrow if I could. |
Check out this thread on making a cable release and head out to the arts and crafts store ... also, almost all of my shots were made with the camera just braced on a "monopod" I cobbled together from a mini-tripod with goosenecked legs and my grandfather's old cane.
Mono Cane
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06/30/2004 03:00:24 AM · #29 |
Thanks so much for the suggestion, but I would need to buy something like this pre-made. I don't even own a hammer or screwdriver. Lets just say, if you want your nails painted or advice on shoes then I'm the girl for the job... but making things just isnt up my alley :)
Cheers!
p.s. I do own a tripod :)
Message edited by author 2004-06-30 03:01:54.
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07/01/2004 04:39:25 AM · #30 |
As suggested before, use the smallest aperture you've got. Also, set manual focus to infinity. Just experiment. I'm most happy with exposures of 5-10 seconds. It all depends on the distance you're shooting from and the interval between explosions.
Now that we can upload again, here are some of my experiments in pyrophotography. They may appear a little overexposed as these were taken approx 100 feet away. Some may find the lighted pier on the bottom left distracting but I think it adds to the shot.
F/8
5 sec
F/8
5 sec
F/8
5 sec
F/8
30 sec |
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07/01/2004 12:36:09 PM · #31 |
Is f8 the smallest aperature you've got Bran-O-Rama? I love f8 for fireworks, but i can go as low as f4 on my preferred lens.
Great shots! That is pretty much exactly what I do (f8, for a few seconds (just enough to cover a few bursts 5-10sec is good). What ISO do you use? I have used 400 in the past with great results. Do you use 100 or 200? |
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07/01/2004 03:40:56 PM · #32 |
I believe Bran-o-rama meant the physically smallest aperture opening (the largest number). For the DSC-707, that could well be f/8. With a DSLR, you could go smaller, e.g. f/11 or f/16. I think f/11 will give good results, I would not go smaller. I'd certainly not go larger than f/8, you tend to get overexposure in the light trails, and washed-out color.
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07/01/2004 03:58:16 PM · #33 |
I took my first fireworks shots a few days ago. My tips based on that experience:
- get close, or or take a telephoto lens.
- find a spot that has some interesting, but not too brightly lit foreground element. A tree, or maybe even the heads of the crowd in front.
- have a small flashlight with you so you can see to change camera settings, lenses, etc.
- watch out for the more intense volley at the end. Stop down and/or reduce your shutter speed to avoid getting a big white blob.
This one was taken at ISO200, f/16, 5s:
//www.wickens.ca/sm/archives/2004/07/01.html |
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07/01/2004 04:12:42 PM · #34 |
Two shots from last year that are in my portfolio from my first attempt at photographing fireworks:
ISO 200, Æ’/11, 13 seconds
ISO 200, Æ’/11, 13 seconds
and my Newspaper challenge entry, same show, slightly different location, one year later:
ISO 400, Æ’/16, 8 seconds
All were taken with the Canon 24-70 and are basically full-frame images cropped to 8x10 aspect ratio.
I agree that having some other elements in the picture (besides just the burst of the firework) is good to show the scale of the display.
Message edited by author 2004-07-01 16:14:50. |
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07/01/2004 04:32:58 PM · #35 |
That's so true about having a good foreground element. I forgot about that, but I am remembering seeing photos of some cathedral and how awesome it looked backlit by fireworks.
I need to find something to stick in front of me, haha!
BTW: EddyG, your colors are amazing on those last shots you posted here... |
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07/01/2004 04:43:40 PM · #36 |
After experimenting with my camera and reading the manual more closely, I am gutted to announce my camera has only a 2 second shutter. I can get no more than this. Any suggestions? Will they still look good at 2 seconds?
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07/01/2004 05:00:31 PM · #37 |
Originally posted by aerogurl:
After experimenting with my camera and reading the manual more closely, I am gutted to announce my camera has only a 2 second shutter. I can get no more than this. Any suggestions? Will they still look good at 2 seconds? |
I think all of mine (previously posted) are at 1/2 second, f2.8, ISO 200 speed.
I think you only need the long exposure to span the period during with the flash occurs, and to allow a smaller aperture.
My camera won't let me set the aperture, and I just tried to develop good enough timing to trip the shutter during the burst ... if anything I think most of mine are a bit over-exposed and could use a shorter exposure time. |
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07/01/2004 05:13:30 PM · #38 |
EddyG.....
Quite good. Especially appreciate the ISO/aperature info. Very helpful. It also agrees with the published article from NYIP. Now I have 2 sources giving me similar information....w/ examples (that I like).
Good enough for me. Thanks.
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07/01/2004 05:39:21 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by aerogurl:
After experimenting with my camera and reading the manual more closely, I am gutted to announce my camera has only a 2 second shutter. I can get no more than this. Any suggestions? Will they still look good at 2 seconds? |
Try a wider aperature (like f2.8 or f4) and a faster ISO (400). If you want to try 200, try to use f2.8. Do some tests during some preshows this Friday & Saturday if you can, while getting ready for Sunday's bigger displays! :) |
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07/01/2004 09:32:46 PM · #40 |
Originally posted by mirdonamy:
Is f8 the smallest aperature you've got Bran-O-Rama? I love f8 for fireworks, but i can go as low as f4 on my preferred lens.
Great shots! That is pretty much exactly what I do (f8, for a few seconds (just enough to cover a few bursts 5-10sec is good). What ISO do you use? I have used 400 in the past with great results. Do you use 100 or 200? |
Sorry I didn't post the ISO here, I thought I had uploaded the specs on each photo but must've missed it while hurrying.
All of the photos were at ISO 100. I've only taken the camera out of 100 once or twice in the 4000 or so pictures I've shot with it. I have yet to experiment shooting fireworks at 200 or 400 but I am wary to do so because of the noise/grain. I'm lucky that I live nearby a hotel that has a fireworks show every friday evening. I'll most likely head back there tomorrow and experiment with different ISO. It's a shame I have to work on the 4th. :( |
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07/02/2004 12:47:45 AM · #41 |
Okay, I just got back from taking photos of Dodger Stadium's Fireworks Extravaganza. I didn't have enough time to get my cable release out (I got up to the roof of my apartment too late). So, all my pictures (though on a tripod) are squiggly. Anyhow, what I learned at 200 ISO is that f13 is best when you have nearby city lights (street lights, stadium lights, etc). I was able to go from 1'(second) to 5' without too much orange sky. 1' to 2' was best for keeping the sky black. If I went over 3' then it was best to go to f16 or f22. I tried a few at f27 and I had to hold the shutter for at least 5 seconds to get a good shot. However, the stadium's fireworks were a bit sporatic.
During the finale, I couldn't go more than 1' with f13 or the entire shot would be almost white. So, for the finale, close the aperature to f22 at least, if you can!
Good luck. I am going to try this again, with a shutter release cable, on Sunday!
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07/02/2004 06:52:27 AM · #42 |
For reference, all my fireworks shots have been without a cable release (but on a tripod, obviously!)
I used "M"anual mode, dialed in my desired aperture and shutter speed, and when I wanted the exposure to start, I'd gently depress the shutter button and let go. The tripod held the camera steady while the shutter was open for anywhere from 2 to 13 seconds. I'd look at the image review and tweak ISO, aperture and shutter speed until I was getting the pics like you see in my earlier post. |
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07/02/2004 07:07:52 AM · #43 |
here's a few of mine i shot last night from Canada Day:
//www.3dluvr.com/refracted/temp/fireworks1.jpg
//www.3dluvr.com/refracted/temp/fireworks2.jpg
//www.3dluvr.com/refracted/temp/fireworks3.jpg
Edit: these were taken at 100 iso, F8 and 5 seconds of exposure.
Message edited by author 2004-07-02 07:08:22.
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07/02/2004 07:08:19 AM · #44 |
Here are a few from last year with my E20. Most are around 5 - 11 seconds at F11. Tripod and cable release.
//www.deltonalakes.com/4th_of_july.htm
Tom |
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07/04/2004 05:55:10 PM · #45 |
| I've put up all of the fireworks shots from the recent local show in my proofs gallery so the guys from Wolverines Fireworks (who put it on) could see them. The proofs are "unprocessed" (just cropped to 8x10 aspect ratio), but if anybody else wants to take a look, you can click here. (If you click the "[slideshow]" button in the upper right corner, it will show you all the images without having to click anything. =]) |
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