settings for fireworks

[vespa-lad]

I need some advice, I will be taking pictures of fireworks etc tomorrow im using a canon eos 1100d with a 18-55mm lens and a 75-250mm lens what setting should i be on to get the best pictures ? cheers

 

[Carter64]

Hi Brett, take a look at Matt's guide in the tutorials here:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/threads/photography-guide-fireworks.443505/
It's worth a scroll down to see other examples of shorter exposure times too, depending on the amount of fireworks in the air and the effect that you personally prefer.

 

[vespa-lad]

cheers im debating to use a tripod or not ?

 

[MWHCVT]

That's for the mention @Carter64 in addition really one you've read my guide really if you have any questions please fire away

 

[MWHCVT]

cheers im debating to use a tripod or not ?

Unless your aiming for short exposure to freeze the firework in the sky or your planning on shooting focus dragged shots you really need a tripod

 

[vespa-lad]

I will probably be getting the pictures of them in the sky

 

[MWHCVT]

I will probably be getting the pictures of them in the sky

That's actually a little harder to do as you need to judge where they will explode

 

[vespa-lad]

hmmm i will be quite close to them setting off you see so i can not get far away to take a decent picture etc

 

[UaeExile]

You really need a tripod. To get the full effect you're going to want to slow the shutter speed....try doing that handheld and getting something worth keeping!

 

[shaylou]

cheers im debating to use a tripod or not ?

Using a tripod for fireworks is a must because these are long exposure shots. I set up and take practice shots for focusing (manual). If you set your depth of field deep enough (f8-f11 or so) you wont have to refocus as they are shooting. Once you have the focus set move on to getting some shots exposed correctly. Use a remote to avoid shake, lock the mirror by turning the camera to live view and take a shot. Remember these are long exposure shots. They can be 10 seconds and not every shot will be the same length. Some fireworks are much brighter than others so exposure time will very. One of the most important parts of this is to take the time to review your shots. Zoom in on them and check focus. Look at the exposure time to get a feel for how long they should be. It's better to miss some shots while you are getting adjusted than it is to shoot away and end up with out of focused bad exposed shots. Lastly, try to put something other than the fireworks into the shot, water landscape etc. good luck and have fun...

Here are a couple of shots I did. Not the greatest but they are the only ones I have access to right now.View attachment 1141 View attachment 1142