Need advices for Fireworks

[3afsa]

Hi,
I'm gonna to take some fireworks shots tonight on the beach.
I read a lot of tips here on shooting Fireworks, and I get as summary that I'll use an aperture of 8-16 and the lowest ISO that i have which is 200.
the problem is that I don't have a tripod, and I don't want to take very blurry shot so that's why I can't use a slow shutter speed, so any suggestion or tips for my situation?
Also If I want to take a shot to my friends with to fireworks behind them, is it possible? what techniques and tips should I follow?
Thanks

[maritimer]

Without a tripod, it may be quite hard to capture the fireworks in their full bloom. Maybe you can find a fence post nearby and use that for your tripod instead.

Or, maybe a few paint buckets or kitty litter pails half filled with water ( for stabilization ) could work as well. I'd get a hold of something like these for preparation and go check out the area sometime before the show starts. There maybe something handy ( like that fence post ) around that you can use. Getting there right before the show and scrambling to find a makeshift tripod would definitely suck.

My camera tripod is one i converted from one of my telescopes. All i did for mine was take the telescope brackets off and a simple nut + bolt combo to hold the camera in place. Possible you have a friend / relative that has an old telescope they don't use much and ask them if you can borrow the stand. Most telescope stands can easily be retro fitted for a camera.

[3afsa]

Thanks, I hope I can handle this situation this night, I'll look for something to stand my camera on it, I'll use someone if I had to

[jdepould]

I managed to get some decent shots in Annapolis with a fence post. I was at 50mm 1/60s, f/2.8 @ ISO1600. The tricky part is getting the focus right.


I'd also suggest flipping it into continuous drive, because the timing can be tough.

[3afsa]

Ok, I came out with lots of shots, and I could came out with some acceptable ones.
In this first experience I feel how hard is taking a fireworks shot, need good reading of the space, right timing and focus.
I make tow Errors in my first try:
- I didn't get early , so I was fare away from the place where they lunch the fireworks.
- I didn't have a tripod ( no tricks to replace it, I must get one soon ).

well I was a little disappointed by the result I got, but in the same time, I was happy to have such experience and I'll do it again next year.

Here is some shots and the rest on my Flickr.