What’s Your Preference?

Ishyid · #1 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 10:14 PM

Okay, with the 4th of July coming on fast, I was wondring if anyone has some tips or How-To's to take great firework photographs. Please give me the details, because I am anctious to get out here and shoot. From what I understand you want to have you aperture to a big number, focus at infinity, use bulb for shutter speed, and take the shot as soon as you hear the boom. Is there any truth to this?

Thanks,
Joshua

Nicole · #2 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 10:30 PM

You could start with this article on the Blog. My recommendations are a good, heavy tripod (it's windy where I am, so a heavy tripod that doesn't move is always useful...) and also a remote for your camera. That and a large enough memory card to take lots of shots.

And yes, I time my shots based on hearing the firework leaving the canon as it were. So when you hear it leave, open the shutter and then you can choose when to close it after you see the burst(s). Here are a few of my shots, the EXIF should be available for all of them as a starting point:

EXIF

binah06 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-29-2009, 10:31 PM

I image it can be a lot like shooting lightning. I havent done that since I shot with film SLRs so I am not sure how to explain it in digital terms. What you wrote sounds right. You will probably have to experiment with the exact shot timing.

I took a couple of firework shots a year or so ago with a point and shoot set on a fireworks setting. Here are those shots with their EXIF.

Camera: Panasonic DMC-LZ7
Exposure: 0.25 sec (1/4)
Aperture: f/3.1
Focal Length: 9.9 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/100 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

Camera: Panasonic DMC-LZ7
Exposure: 0.25 sec (1/4)
Aperture: f/3.4
Focal Length: 14.5 mm
ISO Speed: 100
Exposure Bias: 0/100 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire

Hopefully this gives you something to work with.
Melissa

idcrewdawg · #4 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 03:44 AM

Nicole, Your EXIF wasn't available. Could you post it so us noobs can learn from your shots?

Nicole · #5 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 04:58 AM

It's there under "More Properties" on the photo page. But I've linked to the EXIF now.

idcrewdawg · #6 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole

It's there under "More Properties" on the photo page. But I've linked to the EXIF now.

When looking at my photo's I know where to find it. When looking at your photo's it's not available.

Nicole · #7 (**permalink**) 06-30-2009, 09:20 PM

I'm honestly not sure why you're not seeing it. My EXIF isn't hidden and I just checked to see if I could find the More Properties link when not signed in and the EXIF is all there when I click "More Properties".

Ishyid · #8 (**permalink**) 07-01-2009, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idcrewdawg

When looking at my photo's I know where to find it. When looking at your photo's it's not available.

Just right click on the EXIF link and go down to properties, and copy and paste the URL in the website box. Nicole put http:// twice, that is why it is not opening up for you. There, problem solved.