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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!

If anyone has an adjustable camera or a tripod that they could let someone else use, please send me an email.

Here's more. (By the way, I've clarified a few things on the tips page.... Also, I've added another link which might be helpful for those with non-adjustable cameras.)

You can actually do this whole thing for free, if you wish, from the Trinity Trail which runs right by LaGraves Park. The view there would be great as well. I considered that, but the problem is that you would be in the middle of thousands of others. At least inside the ball park, we have a CHANCE of jockeying for a position where we are not bumping against others. (I have a spot picked that would be good for tripods, and I don't think will have others immediately around it.)

The Park is located north of downtown, just East of Main Street between 6th and 7th. From 35W, the easiest is to take Northside Dr to the west, turn left or south on Main, and the park will be on the left.

PARKING: There is parking there for $2 and $3. You can park nearby on the streets or wherever for free and just walk a bit. You can also park at Tandy Center Parking, for free, and walk the trail .7 mile to the park.

TIME: Again, that depends on the end of the second game. You can come whenever, but I'd be there by 9:30 anyway. Our tickets are SRO, and maybe some area in the "levee" section (behind left field- a grassy hill for blanket sitting, or standing). Actually the viewing will be good from there. Where I propose to set up and shoot will be near the right field gate--there's a concrete pad there, so nearing the end of the game, or earlier if need be, I will be near that area.

Obviously, depending on your situation and mine, I need to work out getting a ticket to you. One way would be to call cell-to-cell, and let know you're approaching or waiting at the gate, then I can come over and get you in. Another way is for me to leave tickets for you at the church (taped to the glass) or someplace. When you contact me, give me all your phone #s.

In the event of rain, the fireworks will still go. They prob. won't play ball, but the park will be open. The choice would be up to you and how much adventure you want. I can be in touch with each of you by phone if there's a question.

Thanks again all! My cell phone is 817-929.1788 pager 817.227.7722

Hey gang: > Sorry, I'm running a bit late on getting this info done. But here goes. > The photo tips are now posted re the Fireworks. Please go there so you'll > know what to do and what you need. > http://www.jonholiday.com/photogroup/tips.htm > > As to exactly where, I will have that nailed down by Wed morning. I have > been finding out some interesting stuff (another book), but I will have it > to you by then. Right now, it looks like at or near LaGrange Field just > north of downtown. It will be a zoo, BUT there may be a way that it won't > be so bad. Please check your emails and or the webpage tomorrow (Wed) at > least once or twice. I would recommend checking them again on Thursday > afternoon, just in case there is some change (I don't expect that, but you > never know)... > > You may realize by now that FreedomFest has been moved to Sunday the 7th due > to rain this last week. The new page reflects that. ALSO, we were going to > meet on Monday the 8th, but that doesn't give much time to get your > FreedomFest people pics, so lets move that meeting to Wed the 10th...again > its on the new page. > http://www.jonholiday.com/photogroup/ > Thanks all...it should be fun!