Fireworks

[Browno]

Hi all, this is my first post for some time due to not getting to use my camera much recently. The lack of practice may also be a factor in why I'm having to as your advice.
On bonfire night I took my camera down to my local ski club with the intention of getting some stunning fireworks shots. However none of them came out anything like as good as I'd hoped. Although I'd read up a little first and got some basic settings, they all came out very grainy and not nearly as sharp as I thought they would.
I did play with the settings slightly but they were pretty much all the same. Can anyone please offer some advice on what I may have done wrong? This is something I was really looking forward to shooting and I'm a little bit disappointed with myself.



Camera- Nikon D80
Lens- Sigma DC 18-200mm
Aperture- f/11
ISO- 640
Exposure- 4sec
Focal Length- 50mm
Bias- 0
Metering Mode- Spot
Flash- No flash
Trpiod- Tripod Used
One other point, I used a 2 second shutter delay to try and avoid contact with the camera as I don't yet have a remote shutter release. Oh and there's no PP been done on this.

[mikoyan]

That's not too bad of a shot but you might want to tighten a little bit on the sky to get more of the fireworks part. Also on a shot like that, you might want to back off on the exposure time a bit because you lose some of the highlights. You might also want to consider not putting it on delay so that you get a more instataneous response.

[Doug Sundseth]

Recommendations: Long-exposure noise reduction, lower ISO, check your focusing (lock your focus down at the hyperfocal distance when you start - DoFMaster says 36.4'/11.1m, then leave it alone).

I'll second the recommendation to not use a delay. Just open the shutter when you hear the mortar go off and take your hand away. With a good tripod, any vibration should damp quickly.

[Browno]

Hi guys, thanks for the advice. I've looked at my manual and the Long Exposure NR says it can only be used for 8secs and over so I guess that won't work?
A lower ISO and shorter exp' time might help though so will give that a try. As it was my first attempt I was just going on some settings I'd read somewhere that were recommended. I'll also try to tighten in a bit but it does make it difficult if they don't all fire in exactly the same direction.
As for the delay timer, that shouldn't be a problem after xmas as Santa is bringing me my shutter release cable (I've been a good boy this year).
I'm hoping to capture a few more on New Years Eve if I can find a display so will post any results if they're any better.
Thanks again and hope you all have a great holiday period.

[Doug Sundseth]

One of the classic ways to get fireworks shots is to set up a very long exposure and cover the lens with black (black felt works pretty well). Then, when you hear the mortar fire, uncover the lens until the firework is done and recover. You can get multiple bursts on the same frame in camera this way, btw.

[praline3001]

All in all I think this is a really good photo. Fireworks are hard to do! I found out how hard a few years back and haven't attempted it since lol

One thing I would try PP is to crop some of the black out. I know you want a good bit of black in order to show the contrast of sky to the fireworks. However that much black tends to make your fireworks look kind of puny. If you crop a little here and there it would give the illusion of a much bigger fireworks display.


Another thing you can try is a remote switch. I used one and it helps bring the sharpness in. You can get a cheapy hardwired one for under $20. Of course there are some really pricey ones as well!

I second everything else that was said.

[praline3001]

Here is one I took with my point and shoot. I was also a good distance away, being lazy in my hotel room rather then down in the streets

I used the remote shutter release with tripod, I had a glass of wine in the other hand hehe

I just wanted to show you how important that shutter release can be for fireworks.

This isn't a great shot but like I said, I did it with a point and shoot. I think its a great P&S distance fireworks shot. I also cropped some of the sky out to make the bloom look bigger in the sky.


first attempt at fireworks DAY 2 by praline3001, on Flickr