Yet another firework pic

[Gina9942]

I tried to do my first pics of fireworks this Fourth of July. I think I did fairly well. I had one issue with smoke. How do you get rid of the smoke in the pics? Is it because I am shooting too low? Is it because of my focal length? Is there anyway not to get it in the pic? Is this the right place for this? Do you think cropping out the top half would make the picture more powerful?



Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 1.6
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
Focal Length: 50.4 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: +1/3 EV
Flash: No Flash

Is my exposure to long? I did a lot of experimenting.
TIA

[plangereis]

Originally Posted by Gina9942

I tried to do my first pics of fireworks this Fourth of July. I think I did fairly well. I had one issue with smoke. How do you get rid of the smoke in the pics? Is it because I am shooting too low? Is it because of my focal length? Is there anyway not to get it in the pic? Is this the right place for this? Do you think cropping out the top half would make the picture more powerful?



Camera: Nikon D80
Exposure: 1.6
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 50 mm
Focal Length: 50.4 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: +1/3 EV
Flash: No Flash

Is my exposure to long? I did a lot of experimenting.
TIA

I have seen a lot of fireworks shots, but then it was the fourth of July a while back so I guess it is expected : ) I like your shot, and I really don't mind the smoke in the lower portion of the photo. From looking at other photos, some people were darkening the background until it was almost black. I guess you could have tried a different angle as well. You seem to be up quite high in relation to the firework blast, or, this blast was relatively low. Maybe next time try to be lower in terms of vantage point, so you are shooting up, and that may help. Nice shot, though. We have an annual international fireworks competition coming up a little later in the summer, and I am so looking forward to getting lots of shots at it! One last thing, did you use a tripod? Not that your photo looks out of focus, but I am just curious. It seems like the right thing to use, as well as a remote shutter release. Take care.

[Gina9942]

I did use a tripod and remote shutter release. The shots I feel were low, or the trees were high. I was in upstate NY and they were shooting them on the lower side of the mountain, maybe thats why? I considered darkening it until it was black, but I kinda like to see the trees lit up. Thanks for the input, I appreciate it.