How do i shoot Fireworks?

Light the touch paper and stand well back :D


Good guide Keith :thumbs:
 
Here are some recent shots from me.

The EXIF data is intact on the images.

Firstly I'd decide and how long an exposure you want. This will effect how many fireworks appear in the shot, and how big their blooms are. Then get yourself set up in a place that offers a clear view with suitable framing. Needless to say a tripod and remote release are essential.
I'd then put the camera in manual mode with your chosen shutter speed, then take some test shots adjusting the aperture and ISO (though keep this as low as possible) until you get the shot without fireworks nicely exposed. Then you are ready to go!
 
There were a couple of good tutorials at "digital photography school" - in fact, they released a new one on fireworks last night.
 
Thanks for linking to my guide Keith, very much appreciated :thumbs: my new venture will be providing a few fireworks workshops in the future, they're currently being planned :)

My advise on settings would be set up your camera on a tripod, with the settings of approx f/8-11, ISO320-640 with exposure set to Bulb, this will allow you to be totally flexible with your exposure length depending on the intensity of the fireworks, it will also allow you to start and stop exposures precisely so that if your concentrating on what is going off in terms of fireworks you will be able to time your exposures for the optimum explosions

As an example is this image shot last year, as you can see the settings have allowed enough light to expose the surrounding area a little to pick out the castle as well as the huge range of colours in the fireworks


308/366 (673) (Explored) by mwhcvt, on Flickr

Basic settings were 9.6 second exposure in bulb, ISO500 and f/9

on a side note always a shame to see members directing people away from TP when there is more than enough talent and knowledge on this forum to answer almost any question that could be asked on virtually every subject that could come up relating to photography
 
What you will need -
Camera - batteries charged, memory cards empty
Tripod
Remote Control (should you have one)
Torch

Camera Settings
Camera Mode - Manual (Fireworks mode if your camera
does not have Manual control)
ISO - Lowest possible (100 or 200)
Shutter - 5 or 6 seconds
Aperture - f11- f16 maybe higher
White Balance - Tungsten/Incandescent or set for any artificial light in your scene
Flash - Set to off
Image Stabilisation/Vibration Reduction - Set to off

Get there early to find a location. Be aware that when the crowds arrive you may have trouble with people knocking your tripod, so find somewhere with space if possible. Make note of the wind direction, you don't want the smoke going into your face.

Including any interesting scenery such as buildings, bridges etc as they can add interest, and it is a good idea to set your exposure for the object before the start if it is floodlit to get that exposed correctly.
Try to be familiar with how to change your camera settings before the event as trying to change things in the dark can be stressful, which is why the torch can be useful.

Use the remote control setting on your camera or the Self Timer setting.
I focus on the 1st explosion, or any practise explosions, and then set the camera to manual focus so that focus is locked. Some say set the lens to infinity but I've had soft results even when the fireworks were quite a distance away. I normally leave a bit of space at the top of the frame for the higher explosions they tend to throw in, but then most of your fireworks will only cover a small part of your image, it's up to you to decide how you want to frame the explosions. If you zoom in or out, focus again, switching to auto focus, and then back to manual focus when focus is set. Check your exposure after the first few explosions using the aperture to let more or less light in if needed. If you are under exposing set a wider Aperture (lower f number). If you are over exposing set a smaller Aperture (higher f number).
If it is a timed display and you know it is coming to an end, maybe because it is set to music, then shut the aperture down 2-3 stops (higher f number), and maybe the shutter speed lower too, (faster shutter speed) as they tend to throw everything up into the air at the end and you may end up with a big white blob as too many explosions over expose.
Good luck.

Hope that helps.

Here's some fireworks pics I have posted here in the past.
 
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MWHCVT said:
on a side note always a shame to see members directing people away from TP
Click to expand...

Disagree - looking up articles/reviews etc from various sources allows a wider perspective and can often make things clear or allow a deeper understanding. If we never ventured anywhere or tried to elsewhere, we'd all still be deep inside caves in the dark too scared to go outside. :lol:
 
omens said:
Disagree - looking up articles/reviews etc from various sources allows a wider perspective and can often make things clear or allow a deeper understanding. If we never ventured anywhere or tried to elsewhere, we'd all still be deep inside caves in the dark too scared to go outside. :lol:
Click to expand...

Please don't selectively quote me, I got no issue with quality links being posted as you say one has to broaden your own horizon, but with links like the last one posted that I my opinion does a disservice to someone who is trying to learn as its my honest opinion that if you followed the instructions of the last link you'd end up with some frankly awful photos :(
 
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