Fireworks, a different way

[smitsmith]

I went to a July 4th fireworks show but did not have a good vantage point with an interesting foreground or background. So I decided to try something different. Instead of going for the classic fireworks shot, I chose a longer lens and a tighter crop. I used a higher f stop to better black out the background. I also waited until the firework exploded before snapping the picture and used a shorter exposure time than usual to get the firework as it was blossoming. I did not use the viewfinder or Liveview. Instead, I just pointed the camera at a piece of sky, watched the fireworks and snapped when I saw the shell exploding. The result, I think, is kind of ethereal. I guess the real lesson is that not being able to get your planned shot sometimes is a good thing. Please let me know what you think.

The exposures are f13 at 2 seconds except for the last one which is 3 seconds. The iso was set at 100. The equipment was a Canon 50D camera with a Canon 70 - 200 L series lens, mounted on a tripod and triggered on the bulb shutter setting with a remote release.

No post production work on these other than to reduce the file size to put them on-line.

By the way, although I have been reading this forum for a while, this is my first post. I apologize if I did not do it right. Be kind.

Fireworks1 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fireworks2 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fireworks3 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Fireworks4 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[Evn1ngStar]

They are delightful images, good plan you used there

[Rich F]

Very nice fireworks shots... Similar to what I've done, except I sometimes try to catch the mortar's trail on the way up. It sort of gives them a 'palm tree' look. Rich's Fireworks

[shutter_mom]

I love them, but number 3 is my fav lol. These look nowhere near the few shots i got off before switching to video. Didnt have my tripod with me that night.

[dj-dubai]

1st and 2nd is best one min i thought is this real or not really lovely shot nice

[brooksamanda89]

Nice shots, just loved the first one. It has the perfect exposure, trails etc. As a kid I loved watching fireworks on 4th of July, as a 33 year old lady, I love taking shots of fireworks on my good old camera.