how to shoot fireworks?

[ginger1222]

I'm headed to Sydney, Australia for NYE! This is a one-time trip and I want to get the fireworks in all their glory. I'm going with a Nikon Rebel SLR. I only have a middle of the road lens and tripod - and will be on a boat! What lens(es) does anyone recommend? Apertures, filters, etc?

[BigFuzzy]

Click here
Amazingly it brings you to DPS!

[BryanC]

Nikon Rebel?

[inkista]

Originally Posted by BryanC

Nikon Rebel?

That was my thought.

No filters, smaller aperture to get the longer exposure and DoF to help you out, focus-wise. The trick is longer exposures, obviously. But the being on a boat part is the worrisome bit. A VR lens might be worth it.

[Doug Sundseth]

So, if by "boat" you mean a stabilized 1000' cruise ship, you'll probably be fine. If the engines are running, you might need to isolate the camera from the vibrations of the ship (unless the harbor is particularly rough). If the "boat" is a 17' Hobie Cat, ..., pray for the calmest summer in the history of the Pacific?

Seriously, a VR/IS lens is essentially going to be a requirement, and even with that (if you're on a 100' tour boat or something), you're going to need very, very good technique to get the sort of long exposures that make good fireworks photos. All I could recommend is to go out on boats and try shooting long exposures. Experience helps with that sort of technique.

BTW, when inkista said "smaller aperture to get the longer exposure", that would be a smaller aperture number, which is a larger aperture. (Probably not necessary to mention, but aperture is confusing enough for some people that I thought it worthwhile to clarify.)

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

BTW, when inkista said "smaller aperture to get the longer exposure", that would be a smaller aperture number, which is a larger aperture. (Probably not necessary to mention, but aperture is confusing enough for some people that I thought it worthwhile to clarify.)

Well, no. Smaller aperture, less light, longer exposure.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Doug Sundseth

BTW, when inkista said "smaller aperture to get the longer exposure", that would be a smaller aperture number, which is a larger aperture. (Probably not necessary to mention, but aperture is confusing enough for some people that I thought it worthwhile to clarify.)

Err..., no. what Bryan said. Smaller aperture/bigger f-number, slow down the shutter, bigger DoF. You have to focus where you think the burst is going to be. In mid-air at night, that can be tough without a big big DoF.


Canon 5Dii, 135L, tripod
iso 50, f/16, 15 seconds.

[Doug Sundseth]

Larger aperture (long distance = hyperfocal focusing), more light, shorter exposure, less wave motion.



Sorry to interpret incorrectly. I was more worried about motion than duration because of the boat. Clearly that wasn't what you were thinking about.

I don't think there's a good way to use a long exposure from a moving platform and a short exposure isn't a good answer for fireworks.

[inkista]

Might be time to consider shooting video instead of still images.

[Mat]

If you really want to shoot the fireworks I suggest you ditch the boat idea and shoot from land. Because like the others said in this thread if the boat is moving in any way you will not be happy with the results. Also to get multiple bursts in one exposure I covered my lens with black construction paper in between firework bursts.Here is one of my favorite shots from July 4th 2007. I'm adding the exif data so you can see my settings.




Camera
Canon EOS Digital Rebel
Exposure 22 sec
Aperture f/16.0
Focal Length 34 mm
ISO Speed 100