how to shoot fireworks?

[BetterSense]

I have the opportunity to shoot some fireworks this weekend, and I've never done it before. All I have is fuji 100, 200, 400 speed color print film and SLRs with a cable release. I don't have a tripod but I might buy one.

Is it possible to shoot handheld on 'manual' mode and get pictures? Or would I have to use a tripod and 'bulb' an kinda let the fireworks 'draw' on the film? What speed of film and aperture should I use? I have a feeling I'm going to waste a bunch of film, because I've never done it before.

[kongjie]

Or would I have to use a tripod and 'bulb' an kinda let the fireworks 'draw' on the film?

A tripod and a long exposure will allow you to get some spectacular shots.

[papasmurf]

I have the opportunity to shoot some fireworks this weekend, and I've never done it before. All I have is fuji 100, 200, 400 speed color print film and SLRs with a cable release. I don't have a tripod but I might buy one.

Is it possible to shoot handheld on 'manual' mode and get pictures? Or would I have to use a tripod and 'bulb' an kinda let the fireworks 'draw' on the film? What speed of film and aperture should I use? I have a feeling I'm going to waste a bunch of film, because I've never done it before.


I am by far not one to give hints and tips on photography .

I shot all of these firework shots with my DSLR on a tripod with out a flash

http://bellaandmugsy.com/fireworkslide/fireworkslide.html


Still learning so dont just listen to me

[TENroaches]

Just passing on something I think I saw on here.

Af3aJ2kviJ4

[Rei]

Or would I have to use a tripod and 'bulb' an kinda let the fireworks 'draw' on the film? What speed of film and aperture should I use?
Exactly correct. Use 100 speed film at f/8 or f/11. Use a cable release and open the shutter just before the fireworks launch, hold for a couple of seconds while the fireworks go off and release.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

[dcormier]

You will need a tripod and some type of remote trigger release (so you don't shake the camera when pressing or releasing the shutter button). When I do this, I stay with an equivalent of ASA 100 film (I shoot digital, so it's ISO 100) and stay at or above f/8 (numerically, not by aperture size). I use the bulb setting and release the shutter from between 2 and 10 seconds at a time (though 10 seconds is pushing it if they've got a lot of fireworks going up at once). I prefer going with a wide angle lens so there's some context to the shots rather than just a shot of fireworks on a black background. Prefocus the lens and then set it to manual so it doesn't change on you.

Also, plan to get your shots at the beginning of the show, before there's a lot of smoke in the air. The smoke may create an interesting effect if you're lucky, but I've only found it to get in the way.

[adamjaskie]

http://tn3-1.deviantart.com/fs31/300W/i/2008/209/c/a/Fireworks_2_by_adamjaskie.jpg

Something like 8 seconds, at f8. Digital, and I had it on auto-iso, so I'm not sure about film speed. Something slowish, though, 100 or 200 should be fine. You'll definitely need a tripod, and a cable release. Handholding won't work for you; I've tried it. No flash, unless you want fill flash to show the backs of peoples' heads. Your flash won't reach the fireworks, and even if it did, all you would do is light up all of the smoke floating in the air.

This is definately a place where a digital is really nice. I pretty much just snapped a shot whenever the previous shot was done, took some 150 during the show. I got like... five really nice shots, six or seven acceptable shots, and the rest was crap. So... yeah. Good luck.

[Brewster]

sounds like you are in the market for a tripod..........check out www.manfrotto.com
they are pro quality, and will stand up to years of abuse. i've had the 055 model with a tilt and pan head for years, just recently upgraded to the ball head from gitzo. (www.gitzo.com) that's the nice thing about manfrotto, you can use "other" manufacturers heads on the tripod. customize it if you will. the 055 is heavy, but no camera shake.

[Danksalot]

I don't know much about photography, and this picture is not that great, but a couple years ago we really blew some stuff up good. This was a really big explosion and the beam of light actually came down to it from the sky in the still frames of the video. This firework may be, could be, possibly... yeah, you can't buy these.:biggrin:

http://a78.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/24/l_8c5061a3bb2024ec05b6b1b90ac0fded.jpg

[adamjaskie]

Nice. That's the thing being so bright it overloads the sensor. Thermite? I have some pics of a good 1400 lbs going off out in the middle of nowhere in northern Michigan.

[Duckster]

Just passing on something I think I saw on here.

Af3aJ2kviJ4

Thanks for posting that video Timb, I'm gonna try it out.

[dcormier]

So? How did it work out?

[BetterSense]

I ran out of both film and patience before the fireworks started. I took some cool hot air baloon pictures though.