Tips on Fireworks Pictures
Fireworks Photos are actually relatively easy, and can be
very rewarding. Those oohs and aahs you hear at the actual event come back
to life when others view your photos. If you have any questions while
reading this email me or call
me...817.929.1788.
Basically, the trick to doing them is to use a time
exposure, a longer exposure than a normal photo. Leaving the shutter open
for a few seconds allows the fire trails to 'burn' a path on your film.
You leave the shutter open to your desire, until you think you have enough
images to make the exposure you want. With displays that are "slow
going", then you may want to leave the shutter open for 30 seconds or so,
but with major shows with lots of bursts at once, perhaps only a couple of
seconds will do. You are the artist...you decide. Yours will look
different than anyone else's, unless of course your shutter was open for the
exact moments that theirs was. You can do them with a shutter speed of
only a fraction of second, but the results will be different than the samples
you will see here. That might actually be enough tho during the finale of
a show, when there is fire everywhere.
Some samples and
tips
What you need:
- A camera that is adjustable--allowing you to manually
set the aperture(f/stop) and the shutter
speed of at least 2 seconds or more. For some cameras, a cable
release might be helpful, but not totally necessary.
What
if I have a digital or Point-and-Shoot?
Here's another link that might help with normal exposures (NOT time exposures).
- A tripod - even a video type tripod will work. If
you don't have one, see if you can borrow a friend's.
- Film - any film you like will do. I prefer ISO100 film for these. Generally, you get better results with the slowest film you can get away with. SO, I recommend ISO100, but other speeds can be used. My personal preference is to use slide film. (I will be using that on Thursday)
- Why slides? or why prints (negatives)?
That is a great debate. I'll give you my 2 cents later, but for
those of you who are curious, here are some links so you can do some
exploring on your own.
Link
1, Link
2, a
discussion forum, and
another
- For those of you who want to try slides and don't
have experience with them, this might be a good time to try. Okay,
where do I get slide film? You can usually find some at Eckerds
(believe it or not) or Camp Bowie Color Lab (817.336.3456), or The Color
Place (817.335.3515). It is just a bit more than negative film to
buy, but inexpensive to process. If you wish to make prints later,
they usually produce beautiful results, but they are more expensive, so
pick just your best ones.
- I'm certainly not saying you have to try slides. If you feel better using good ole print film, then go right ahead.
Making the exposure:
- Set your camera as follows
- f/8 or 11 with ISO 100, you see the exposures
aren't ultra critical
- f/11 or 16 with ISO 200
- f/16 or 22 with ISO 400
- With the first few bursts, set your camera's focal
length (zoom) and composition to your desire.
- During the exposure, don't move the camera or the
tripod. Then again, you can if you want to experiment with being artsy. You could , for example, shake the camera just slightly during an exposure for an interesting effect. Expose with a shutter speed (how long the shutter is open) that is to your liking, based on
how fast the bursts are coming. Too many bursts in the picture can be
overkill.
- If the shutter will not close automatically for you,
i.e. if you can't set it on a specific time like 4 seconds...you will need to hold the shutter
release down with the setting in "B". Click
for more info.
- That's it! I recommend being prepared to
shoot at least a roll of film. And having more is better. The trouble
is you don't know if you're seeing the Finale or not until it's over, and
then of course, it's too late. You want to make sure you have some
shots left for it. Yes, I know, photography is a hobby that does cost some money...well ya do what ya can!
