Fireworks and flash lit portraits

Phil V

Phil V

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I've got a planned shoot with a firework display as a background, and I've never done this.

So I'm guessing a longish exposure for the fireworks, but if I'm focussing on the couple do I need a small aperture to make the most of the fireworks or will they be ok slightly OOF? I'm struggling to find suitable examples. But I've got some great ideas for other bits of the shoot.
 
Hmmm, im doing a fire walk tonight and have the same(ish) dilema, just spent the last hour reading up on flash - determined to get mine to work as my mind sees the image :bonk:

I did some fireworks on my hols but without the flash, combine the two and my head hurts!
 
phil8139 said:
Hmmm, im doing a fire walk tonight and have the same(ish) dilema, just spent the last hour reading up on flash
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Manual flash (ettl takes too long to recycle) and don't. Try to get a bunch of shots - pick a spot and stick to it, you'll not really get any light from the fire.

It looks easier than it is and I wouldn't volunteer to do it again.
 
haha cheers, wish I read that last night. Got some ok shots but cant believe they were selling pics, I think they were pics... they were like the deleted ones I took as the flash took too long to recycle ;)

Will get some up later.
 
hmmm, did this at a wedding last year Phil, can't recall what settings I used though, other that I seem to recall it was rear curtain flash. The pics are HERE, just small ones, the fireworks were quite sharp at normal size, but will check settings later and let you know. One thing I do recall was being thankful for the white dress as the hardest part is getting the focus on subjects right as it was pitch black with just a little ambient coming from a spot light behind us that was lighting a tree.
 
Yv said:
hmmm, did this at a wedding last year Phil, can't recall what settings I used though, other that I seem to recall it was rear curtain flash. The pics are HERE, just small ones, the fireworks were quite sharp at normal size, but will check settings later and let you know. One thing I do recall was being thankful for the white dress as the hardest part is getting the focus on subjects right as it was pitch black with just a little ambient coming from a spot light behind us that was lighting a tree.
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Thanks Yv, (They're great shots on the post :thumbs:)my other worry is focussing on the couple, there's no white dress and I'm considering a torch:(
Fortunately, I've googled some images from the display last year and I've shot in the location I'd want the couple for that background.

I've no idea how many local togs I'm going to upset by turning up at their favourite spot for firework photography with a couple and some light stands though:gag:

I've also read that warming the flash can improve things as colour wise fireworks are warmer than we see them? Any thoughts?
 
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I would definitely suggest a torch and possibly an assistant to hold it if you can rope someone in [or I suppose, camera on a tripod, leaving you a hand free]. I did some portraits after a wedding breakfast last week, and the grounds were gorgeous but totally unlit and it was hellishly dark. Even with the torch a few went in the bin, but without it it would have been a total non-starter. Just about to drag myself from bed [laptop and F1 gp has been the order of my sunday morning so far] so will check some settings on other puter
 
Yv said:
Ok not a definitive guide but a starting point. They were shot at between 1/10 & 1/30 sec, ISO800, F5 & 5.6

Oh and good luck with the regulars :nuts:
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Thanks Yv it seems I worried needlessly about the aperture.

And the locals are a bit of a concern - I'll just have to put on my best charm offensive.

I'll need an assistant for the night because my Mrs is away on camp with Beavers (nowhere near as exciting as it sounds to my drunk mates).
 
OK, assuming this is an annual fireworks display, around the normal time of year, perhaps start googling for other local displays that are earlier and use that as a test run? Take the drunken mates as models & torch holders :lol:

Oh, should also have said, they were shot on a D300 with a siggie 10-20, so dof increased marginally on the crop sensor over the same on FX, but at those distances, you should be ok with a 'normal' aperture. I was about 8-10 yrds from the couple, who in turn were I guess around 40-50 yrds from where the fireworks were being launched and lord knows how many yrds above they were exploding. In fact that is actually the biggest problem, its having no idea where or when the explosion will be exactly, hence I used the 10-20 to get as wide as possible.
 
I'm aiming for the 10-20 on crop too. I have seen pictures from previous years and if it wasn't against my morals and forum rules I could mock up one of my recent shoots with photo's from this display I've seen on Flickr.
 
What about a composite? That way you can take your pick from a selection of good fireworks shots (long/short exposures etc.) and drop them behind your couple. No DOF issues either, and you eliminate the kind of timing problems that you might otherwise get.
 
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