Taking fireworks

[fallenheart]

Hi, I am new to photography. I would like to seek advice from all of u out there on how to take photos of fireworks. I have done abit of research here and there, and I know that some of the requirements are LOW ISO, Aperture around f/11, Bulb mode, remote control and black card. But I am abit confused on the actual using of a black card.

1) Is it I have to put the black card in front of the lens before the firework starts and meanwhile keeping the shutter open in bulb mode?

2) When the firework starts, I take away the black card and release the shutter button to take the photos right?

3) While the firework is going on, do i have to cover the lens with black card again?

Thanks for the help.

 

[adamadam]

Hi, I am new to photography. I would like to seek advice from all of u out there on how to take photos of fireworks. I have done abit of research here and there, and I know that some of the requirements are LOW ISO, Aperture around f/11, Bulb mode, remote control and black card. But I am abit confused on the actual using of a black card.

1) Is it I have to put the black card in front of the lens before the firework starts and meanwhile keeping the shutter open in bulb mode?

2) When the firework starts, I take away the black card and release the shutter button to take the photos right?

3) While the firework is going on, do i have to cover the lens with black card again?

Thanks for the help.

There's a nice starting guide here:
http://www.clubsnap.com/display.php?file=articles/fireworks/fireworks.htm

When you open the shutter in bulb mode, the black card you put infront of the lens acts as the shutter you manually control, taking off the black card when you want to expose the fireworks.
So take the card off when you want to "see" the firework on your shot, then cover it again after the afterwork has shown, or if you want to block any.

 

[balian]

There's a nice starting guide here:
http://www.clubsnap.com/display.php?file=articles/fireworks/fireworks.htm

When you open the shutter in bulb mode, the black card you put infront of the lens acts as the shutter you manually control, taking off the black card when you want to expose the fireworks.
So take the card off when you want to "see" the firework on your shot, then cover it again after the afterwork has shown, or if you want to block any.

Nice Info.. Thanks alot

 

[mccm33]

1) right
2) use release cable ,dont use finger .
3) depends the density of it ,you can have multiple fireworks draw on 1 shoot .

 

[giantcanopy]

Without a cable release there is a chance your hand will induce movements during bulb and the trails of fireworks will look wavy and tremulous.

Ryan

 

[fallenheart]

Thanx alot for the replies.

 

[n0eln0el]

am i right to say that black card is useful for multiple sets of fireworks in a single photo

if i only want one set of firework on the photo, i only need a cable release?

 

[mccm33]

that is it ,youre almost there .

but most of the shot will be washed out with the blast ,just take note .

Got to do it very very fast ,timing must be right like after the blast then open your shuttle .

You will find black card very useful after all .

 

[giantcanopy]

Have to try a few times to get the hang of the technique.
I tried shooting fireworks thrice before getting something decent out of it. And I am still learning

Ryan

 

[hotterdog]

how much is a release cable? got standard lengths?
can attach to prosumer cam? er, if my cam max shutter speed
(slowest) is only 4 sec, am i limited by tat time frame? if e shot
says need longer exposure time then how? in this case fireworks. :dunno:

 

[eugene_nyc]

Set your camera to Bulb. Use tripod & shutter release cable to avoid camera shake.

 

[calebk]

Does your prosumer have a bulb mode? Bulb mode is basically when your shutter's opening duration is controlled by your shutter button manually.

For most bulb modes, when you depress the shutter button, the shutter will open and hold open, then close when you release the shutter button. The same usually applies for cable release.

 

[Buggy]

how much is a release cable? got standard lengths?
can attach to prosumer cam? er, if my cam max shutter speed
(slowest) is only 4 sec, am i limited by tat time frame? if e shot
says need longer exposure time then how? in this case fireworks. :dunno:

By specs of your camera. If your slowest shutter is 4s. It can't go any slower.

 

[hotterdog]

Does your prosumer have a bulb mode? Bulb mode is basically when your shutter's opening duration is controlled by your shutter button manually.

For most bulb modes, when you depress the shutter button, the shutter will open and hold open, then close when you release the shutter button. The same usually applies for cable release.

**suck thumb.... dun think got bulb mode leh.. so LPPL issit?

By specs of your camera. If your slowest shutter is 4s. It can't go any slower.

so in this case, i just set e controls to fireworks mode & let
e pre-programmed mode take over?

 

[calebk]

**suck thumb.... dun think got bulb mode leh.. so LPPL issit?



so in this case, i just set e controls to fireworks mode & let
e pre-programmed mode take over?

I think you might have more control in Manual mode, using 4s shutter, lowest ISO and an aperture setting with good DOF, and trying to work with that. You never know what the camera might mess with in terms of settings when you set it to fireworks mode.

 

[Buggy]

I think you might have more control in Manual mode, using 4s shutter, lowest ISO and an aperture setting with good DOF, and trying to work with that. You never know what the camera might mess with in terms of settings when you set it to fireworks mode.

Agree. When shooting fireworks with lower light intensity, you may consider bumping up the iso so as to avoid underexposure.

 

[strobby]

for me it will be bulb , iso 100, f8 to f 11 ...exposure ard 2 second..set on tripod with a wireless remote

on prosume set it to timer 2 sec delay , low iso ...try f4 ( or something near ) as prosumer only have up to f8 if i not wrong . Play with the setting and see the best suit ...hope it help