Shooting fireworks at Night?

[Dave O'Brien]

with the 4th of July coming this weekend I want to try my luck at shooting fireworks at night. Is there a good starting point as I've never done this before.

appreciate any help and maybe others could post their pictures from this 4th of July?

[PJB]

Around here, it's recommended that you do this in front of the Sheriff's station. Then they won't have so far to go to arrest you.
Three of the 4 fires around me yesterday were caused by fireworks..

[FlyingKiwi]

I don't have the EXIF data with me, but here's a fireworks photo I took a couple of years ago:

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Wallpaper/USA/Seasons/index.html#Evanston4thOfJulyCloseup

You definitely need a tripod for this type of photography, because you need a longish exposure to get the trails of light.  Almost as essential as the tripod is a cable release for the shutter.  In other tripod photography situations like museum or waterfall photography it's practical to use the self timer, but with fireworks it's just too difficult to time.  If you have a digital camera but no cable release then you can set a fixed shutter speed and use the self timer, but be prepared for lots of failures!  The consolation is that the failed shots won't cost you any money.

If I recall correctly, I usually set the aperture to about f16, then point the camera where the fireworks have been bursting previously, and then wait for the next set to go up.  The moment they explode, or even slightly before, I open the shutter and then just hold it open using the camera's "B" or "bulb" setting until I think I've got a good shot, usually 2 - 4 seconds or something like that.

Smoke from previous explosions can be a problem, so if you have the option then try to set yourself upwind of the display.

Hope this helps.

Richard.

[Dave O'Brien]

Richard, that is an excellent shot. I do have a tripod but no cord. I'll have to read up on the bulb settings this weekend.

Appreciate the help!

[Photo Op?]

I read somewhere (don't remember where) that one could set a long exposure (like on Bulb) and then place a black card in front of the lens.  You then remove the card when you think it would make for a good picture (presumably for bursts and clusters of fireworks).  Anyone know if there is any truth/weight to this suggestion??  I myself have not tried this technique.   

[PJB]

Yes, that works... for fireworks it's the only way to get multiple bursts on one image.

[mik]

here's  what i do....tripod/cable release/100 iso/ f5.6-f8. focus at infinity, time it for whatever effect you want, multiple bursts or just a single.

a trick is open shutter put blackcard board in front of lens pull away after trailer goes up pullaway to expose just the explosion.


here's some of my results http://www.pbase.com/miketully/fireworks

good luck and have fun

[tvrphoto]

A black card?  You guys on crack? j/k  Actually, there is really no need for a black card.  A simple 10-15 second exposure max is all that's needed.  Too long of an exposure will result in the image being blown out by too much light as well the sky becoming orange with ambient light.  You want to keep the sky black for maximum effect.  Heck, you really don't even need a tripod!

First image was shot at 1/15 sec. handheld, zoomed in.
Second image was held open for about 5 seconds with a tripod.  Use an aperture around  f/5.6 - 8 and you should be fine.

[PJB]

When there's  lots of urban light pollution, the card keeps that fog to a minimum.
Zooming while getting the burst(s) is also 'artistic'.

[mik]

yeah,  i'm on crack, didn't know how foolish i was. 

[tvrphoto]

Hey Mik, nice shots btw!

The point I'm trying to make with the card is that you can only record so many bursts before it becomes washed out, or way too busy.

I bet you Mik could achieve the same spectacular shots without the card...of course, I'm not saying you CAN'T use it, I'm just implying that it's not necessary.

[Dave O'Brien]

Tyson, I love that second shot. That's the look I'm after

thanks for all the advice, hopefully I'll get a few keepers

[mik]

i didn't say it was required. all i said was you can use it to block the trailers on the way up and get multiple bursts. if you're at a smaller show w/o alot of multiple similutaneous bursts it allows you to get several bursts on one exposure with out the clutter of the trailers which wash things out.. now why a pro photographer would tell anyone they don't even need a tripod for fireworks puts your advice far more in question than mine.

[tvrphoto]

  just livin' on the wild side!

[GeoffS]

Here are a couple from our local "big" fireworks display, "Rhythm 'n Booms".

I was experimenting with long'ish and short exposures (although nothing like the many second exposures above).

The horizontal shot was a "quick" one at 1/13 sec., f3.5, ISO 400
The vertical shot was longer, at 1 sec., f11, ISO 100.

I played with exposures between 1/30 sec. and around 2 sec.
All were using manual mode.  One thing I found was that some of the brighter displays washed out.  I was wondering if anyone has any experience with auto-exposure settings?