Fireworks?

[R_Sharpe]

Well, July 4th is here again! This year will be my first year attempting firework photography. I obviously need help. I'm hoping to get some rather good shots this year. I will be using my Nikon D60, that's for sure, but I need help choosing which lens to use. I have the standard Nikon 18-55mm VR Kit Lens, and a Nikon Nikkor 55-200mm VR Lens. Which should I use? I'm an amateur so, please be thorough. Also, on another post, I read something about turning focus to infinity or something...How do I do that? Basically, I need idiot proof directions on how to get some good shots. Please help me.
Thanks!

[Trader]

I could not say it any better, read this:

How to Photograph Fireworks Displays

You do have a tripod, right? That is the first thing you really do need.

[deliverymanxas]

Originally Posted by R_Sharpe

Well, July 4th is here again! This year will be my first year attempting firework photography. I obviously need help. I'm hoping to get some rather good shots this year. I will be using my Nikon D60, that's for sure, but I need help choosing which lens to use. I have the standard Nikon 18-55mm VR Kit Lens, and a Nikon Nikkor 55-200mm VR Lens. Which should I use? I'm an amateur so, please be thorough. Also, on another post, I read something about turning focus to infinity or something...How do I do that? Basically, I need idiot proof directions on how to get some good shots. Please help me.
Thanks!

Im in the same boat (Camera and Lenses). Ive read through tons of tips and posts about firework pics, and think im going to try starting off with the 55-200mm lens. If that doesnt work too well, im gonna drop to the kit lens and just crop later. But I think the 55-200 should work just fine with the shots Im going to try for.

Hope this helps
Dave

Originally Posted by Trader

I could not say it any better, read this:

How to Photograph Fireworks Displays

You do have a tripod, right? That is the first thing you really do need.

All of this is a 'check', but the tripod is in question. I have one, its decent at best. But Im thinking of trying to capture a few different angles, and I really want to be more mobile. Is it possible to get good shots without the pod? And what would some setting ideas be?

Thanks in advance
Dave

[WooD]

Originally Posted by deliverymanxas

Im in the same boat (Camera and Lenses). Ive read through tons of tips and posts about firework pics, and think im going to try starting off with the 55-200mm lens. If that doesnt work too well, im gonna drop to the kit lens and just crop later. But I think the 55-200 should work just fine with the shots Im going to try for.

Hope this helps
Dave



All of this is a 'check', but the tripod is in question. I have one, its decent at best. But Im thinking of trying to capture a few different angles, and I really want to be more mobile. Is it possible to get good shots without the pod? And what would some setting ideas be?

Thanks in advance
Dave

Unless you have the steadiest hands in the world, I doubt your going to get many keepers. I've never read the "how too" on fireworks, but I set my camera up in the darkest place I can find. I'll hold a jacket or something to block incoming light if I have too. I use a heavy tripod, and cable release. Set my camera to bulb mode, and manual focus. I try to find something near where their going off to focus on. Then just sit back, and watch the show. When I hear the boom I hold down the shutter with the cable release. Sometime for up to 20 seconds to get multiple explosions in one shot.

wood-shots : photos : 12-31-07 St. Augustine Pier New Years Eve Fireworks- powered by SmugMug

wood-shots : photos : 12-31-2008 St. Augustine Pier Fireworks- powered by SmugMug

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by WooD

Unless you have the steadiest hands in the world, I doubt your going to get many keepers. I've never read the "how too" on fireworks, but I set my camera up in the darkest place I can find. I'll hold a jacket or something to block incoming light if I have too. I use a heavy tripod, and cable release. Set my camera to bulb mode, and manual focus. I try to find something near where their going off to focus on. Then just sit back, and watch the show. When I hear the boom I hold down the shutter with the cable release. Sometime for up to 20 seconds to get multiple explosions in one shot.

wood-shots : photos : 12-31-07 St. Augustine Pier New Years Eve Fireworks- powered by SmugMug

wood-shots : photos : 12-31-2008 St. Augustine Pier Fireworks- powered by SmugMug

Good points there. When shooting on bulb and long exposure, use a black mount board to hold over lens until you see fireworks fire off, then after capturing the bursts, put the mount back over the lens. Do this multiple times to get multiple bursts. This is a way to do it so that you won't overexposure the background too much with long exposures.

Shoot at ISO 100 and fstop at about f16.

Here..read this thread as well

[deliverymanxas]

Bulb? and for the steadiest hands in the world...im in QC, not ER's...lol

I dont think my D60 has 'Bulb' mode? But if im missing something, please slap me!


Dave

[R_Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Trader

You do have a tripod, right? That is the first thing you really do need.

Yes, I do have a tripod. It's an OSN 61" MX2000. From Wal-Mart, lol. It does the job though.

[R_Sharpe]

Originally Posted by deliverymanxas

Bulb? and for the steadiest hands in the world...im in QC, not ER's...lol

I dont think my D60 has 'Bulb' mode? But if im missing something, please slap me!


Dave

Almost every DSLR has bulb. Bulb is a shutter speed. You can set the camera to bulb by going all the way down the shutter speeds. It will be at the end of your available shutter speeds.

[Ishyid]

Originally Posted by Jim Bryant

Good points there. When shooting on bulb and long exposure, use a black mount board to hold over lens until you see fireworks fire off, then after capturing the bursts, put the mount back over the lens. Do this multiple times to get multiple bursts. This is a way to do it so that you won't overexposure the background too much with long exposures.

Shoot at ISO 100 and fstop at about f16.

Here..read this thread as well

Okay, so let me make sure I am getting this right. I can go out, or find something black, possibly spray painint a peice of cardboard black, and kep my shutter open. And everytime a shell goes up just tak it from infront of the lens or everytime it explodes? Also do i have to take it off fast or slow?

[R_Sharpe]

Originally Posted by Ishyid

Okay, so let me make sure I am getting this right. I can go out, or find something black, possibly spray painint a peice of cardboard black, and kep my shutter open. And everytime a shell goes up just tak it from infront of the lens or everytime it explodes? Also do i have to take it off fast or slow?

The Black accessory isn't a necessity. From what I have gathered, you just need to be in a dark area. As far away from a street as possible. The black board or whatever is just if your going to have light interference from cars and other things with passing lights.