Fireworks

[imposter]

My first post to DPS.

Jul 4 fireworks at La Jolla CA. I know a little late. my first attempt at photographing fireworks.

cropped most of the pics. no other post processing. let me know how i did and what i can do to improve.

http://myrandomclix.blogspot.com/

[clockdoc]

Hi and welcome to the group. I think you did well on your fireworks shot. The next time you may want to try including a building or water in the scene as a matter of scale and perspective. Other than that you could try double exposing a couple of bursts on one opening of the lens if your camera supports the Bulb mode to keep the shutter open for long periods.

[imposter]

thanks for the comments. i will try to get other objects in the frame next time.

my camera doesnt support bulb mode. can you explain what "double exposing a couple of bursts on one opening of the lens" means?

[clockdoc]

Since your camera doesn't have a Bulb mode, and if they are launching the fireworks fairly quickly, your could try the longest exposure you have (15-30 seconds?) at the proper f/stop (depending on the ISO you are using). Press the shutter button when you see/year the first launch, allow that burst to 'explode' then cover the lens with a dark piece of cardboard and if another rocket is launched before your timer closes the shutter, remove the cardboard to capture the second shot. This technique was probably more aimed at the older film calera users where Bulb was a common setting. Today with digital software, it is probably easier to 'cut and paste' different bursts into one composite shot. Thanks for asking for a clarification. Hope is made more sense.

[imposter]

thanks for the clarification. i have a Canon powershot S3 that has 15 secs max exposure.

correct me if im wrong. using the technique you explained, if there are multiple bursts in about the same area, then would i not end up with too many bursts in my image? it could also be overexposed?

sorry if my questions are too beginnerish .

thanks

[clockdoc]

Originally Posted by imposter

thanks for the clarification. i have a Canon powershot S3 that has 15 secs max exposure.

correct me if im wrong. using the technique you explained, if there are multiple bursts in about the same area, then would i not end up with too many bursts in my image? it could also be overexposed?

sorry if my questions are too beginnerish .

thanks

First of all, there are no questions that are "too beginnerish." Using the multiple exposure technique could resul in too many exposures or over exposure, especially if you have the whole field of view taken up by one burst. This probably has a better application if you are composing a long shot with architecture (say, a castle or other prominent structure in the shot) and the bursts are covering a wide area of the sky. With a 15 second max time, I don't think this would be a problem. And you may just find it easier to use software to do multiple exposures.

[mysticeyesx]

hi and welcome to the group. nice job on your shots. i looked up your camera and was reading it has a scene mode for fireworks and also manual mode.the fireworks scene mode on my camera i didnt have any luck with. but the manual mode i got lucky with. in manual you can change to bulb setting and F8, iso 100.
i found the advanced manual for your camera here http://alpha02.c-wss.com/inc/ApplSer...nu=MA&TRF=MAIN
i learned a lot about my camera through the advanced manual.
to read some more tips on fireworks look here: http://digital-photography-school.co...aph-fireworks/
hope this helps you some.

[imposter]

Originally Posted by clockdoc

First of all, there are no questions that are "too beginnerish." Using the multiple exposure technique could resul in too many exposures or over exposure, especially if you have the whole field of view taken up by one burst. This probably has a better application if you are composing a long shot with architecture (say, a castle or other prominent structure in the shot) and the bursts are covering a wide area of the sky. With a 15 second max time, I don't think this would be a problem. And you may just find it easier to use software to do multiple exposures.

thanks for the info. i have a feeling im gonna learn a lot from this forum. thanks again.

[imposter]

Originally Posted by mysticeyesx

hi and welcome to the group. nice job on your shots. i looked up your camera and was reading it has a scene mode for fireworks and also manual mode.the fireworks scene mode on my camera i didnt have any luck with. but the manual mode i got lucky with. in manual you can change to bulb setting and F8, iso 100.
i found the advanced manual for your camera here http://alpha02.c-wss.com/inc/ApplSer...nu=MA&TRF=MAIN
i learned a lot about my camera through the advanced manual.
to read some more tips on fireworks look here: http://digital-photography-school.co...aph-fireworks/
hope this helps you some.

thank you. never knew an advanced manual existed for my camera. this should answer some questions i had on my camera.

i am trying to avoid using the preset options and shoot as much as possible in manual so i can learn more.

what camera do you have?

[wattsbw2004]

One thing I want to do is set up my own site for my pictures. I was wondering how you did yours because I really like the set up you have. Sorry for being a little off topic