Rick Baker
07-10-2005, 10:55 PM
http://www.rickbakerimages.com/photography_advice/photographing_fireworks.html
With the Fourth of July coming up, we decided to write an article on how to photograph fireworks. First of all you need to make sure you have the proper equipment. You need a camera of course, a SLR is recommended, but not required. A tripod is a must for sharp photos, since you will be using long exposures. A cable release or remote is highly recommended for convenience and to minimize camera shake. A backup battery is a good thing to have on hand for any important photo event and this is no exception. Extra memory cards for a digital camera or extra film for a traditional film camera will allow you to take as many photos as you want. For film, 50 ISO or 100 ISO is ideal. I prefer Fuji Velvia(50 ISO slide film with high saturation and high contrast) Fuji Provia is a great film too. Many people thing you need a high speed film for photographing fireworks and it's understandable, but 50 or 100 ISO is ideal. A zoom lens is recommended, especially with a wide range of focal lengths, so you can rapidly zoom in and out and compose the picture. Something like 80mm - 200mm. No filters or just a skylight filter to protect the lens. Take the polarizer off if you have it on. A flashlight will be valuable to see your camera, settings, etc. since you will be taking pictures in the dark.
Ok, you have the proper equipment and are ready to take some photos of fireworks. First of all, you should arrive early to the scene and scout out the best position and be prepared. If you have a digital camera, set the ISO to 100 or the closest to it. If your camera has a Landscape mode, set it on that. You should try and take some pictures at that setting and also experiment with the Bulb setting(if your camera has it). The Bulb setting is preferred, but Landscape mode is easier to use. I would recommend trying both to improve your chances of getting some good shots. The Bulb setting will let you control how long the shutter remains open. While on this setting, press down once to open the shutter and again to close the shutter. When using the Bulb setting, use the following aperture values
ISO Aperture
50 f/5.6 to f/11
100 f/8 to f/16
200 f/11 to f/22
Ok, with your camera set on Bulb and the aperture set right according to the table above, you want to "try" and open the shutter right at or before the burst and close the shutter at the end of the burst when it is at its peak. This is somewhat difficult to do. Try to anticipate a burst by the sound of the shell being shot up, if you can hear it.
Good luck!
Article by Rick and Jeremy Baker
With the Fourth of July coming up, we decided to write an article on how to photograph fireworks. First of all you need to make sure you have the proper equipment. You need a camera of course, a SLR is recommended, but not required. A tripod is a must for sharp photos, since you will be using long exposures. A cable release or remote is highly recommended for convenience and to minimize camera shake. A backup battery is a good thing to have on hand for any important photo event and this is no exception. Extra memory cards for a digital camera or extra film for a traditional film camera will allow you to take as many photos as you want. For film, 50 ISO or 100 ISO is ideal. I prefer Fuji Velvia(50 ISO slide film with high saturation and high contrast) Fuji Provia is a great film too. Many people thing you need a high speed film for photographing fireworks and it's understandable, but 50 or 100 ISO is ideal. A zoom lens is recommended, especially with a wide range of focal lengths, so you can rapidly zoom in and out and compose the picture. Something like 80mm - 200mm. No filters or just a skylight filter to protect the lens. Take the polarizer off if you have it on. A flashlight will be valuable to see your camera, settings, etc. since you will be taking pictures in the dark.
Ok, you have the proper equipment and are ready to take some photos of fireworks. First of all, you should arrive early to the scene and scout out the best position and be prepared. If you have a digital camera, set the ISO to 100 or the closest to it. If your camera has a Landscape mode, set it on that. You should try and take some pictures at that setting and also experiment with the Bulb setting(if your camera has it). The Bulb setting is preferred, but Landscape mode is easier to use. I would recommend trying both to improve your chances of getting some good shots. The Bulb setting will let you control how long the shutter remains open. While on this setting, press down once to open the shutter and again to close the shutter. When using the Bulb setting, use the following aperture values
ISO Aperture
50 f/5.6 to f/11
100 f/8 to f/16
200 f/11 to f/22
Ok, with your camera set on Bulb and the aperture set right according to the table above, you want to "try" and open the shutter right at or before the burst and close the shutter at the end of the burst when it is at its peak. This is somewhat difficult to do. Try to anticipate a burst by the sound of the shell being shot up, if you can hear it.
Good luck!
Article by Rick and Jeremy Baker