Firework photo tips please

[nanasan]

, hi I am a newbie, and want to take nice firework photo for coming
CNY fireworks event.
My equipment: CANON 450D, kit lens, macro lens 100mm f2.8, 50mm f1.8
Following is my ugly firework photo took at last X'mas from my home. :sweat:

Please tell me the good place to take and some tips.
Thank you very much.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

- Low ISO
- Small aperture (large F-number, eg. f/22)
- Super-long exposure time (can even use bulb)
- Black cloth to cover the lens during the 'pause'

You didn't mention that your kit contains tripod. That is a MUST

* p.s. I can't see the photo that you posted.

 

[nanasan]

- Low ISO
- Small aperture (large F-number, eg. f/22)
- Super-long exposure time (can even use bulb)
- Black cloth to cover the lens during the 'pause'

You didn't mention that your kit contains tripod. That is a MUST

* p.s. I can't see the photo that you posted.

Thank you very much.　(*^-^)

I have tripod, I will use it.
And what do you mean by "during the 'pause'"?
Is it same effect as ND filter? which to make the light darker?

 

[Rashkae]

Did you try a search? There's a whole detailed guide about shooting fireworks and good locations too.

 

[desertstrike]

- Low ISO
- Small aperture (large F-number, eg. f/22)
- Super-long exposure time (can even use bulb)
- Black cloth to cover the lens during the 'pause'

You didn't mention that your kit contains tripod. That is a MUST

* p.s. I can't see the photo that you posted.

why must use black cloth to cover during the pause?

 

[Yoh]

- Low ISO
- Small aperture (large F-number, eg. f/22)
- Super-long exposure time (can even use bulb)
- Black cloth to cover the lens during the 'pause'

You didn't mention that your kit contains tripod. That is a MUST

* p.s. I can't see the photo that you posted.

f/22 is kinda narrow for such shots.

I would say aperture between f/8 and f/16 would be good enough.

 

[k3nn3th03]

why must use black cloth to cover during the pause?

black card... not cloth..

 

[k3nn3th03]

f/22 is kinda narrow for such shots.

I would say aperture between f/8 and f/16 would be good enough.

i used f11-f13..

 

[luntut]

i found my sweet spot is at f/13...

 

[desertstrike]

black card... not cloth..

oh ok, why need to use black card?

 

[kkenji]

erm guys, sorry for asking..

but when and where is the fireworks ???

if i got time i wana go shoot too !!!!!

 

[desertstrike]

i think cny eve got...

 

[Francis247]

Fireworks Photography

 

[Francis247]

oh ok, why need to use black card?

The requirement for a matte, non-reflective black surface can be met by everything from a stiff piece of black card, to an opaque piece of black cloth. I've used a Sony Discman case as a compromise once when I neglected to pack the black card. The purpose of the "card" (for ease of purpose of reference) is to allow you to "pause" a long exposure, if there should be a lull in the fireworks. This will be explained further in the techniques section below.

The black card
Using a black card with a long exposure achieves approximately the same thing as a multiple exposure. It allows you to "pause" the exposure, enabling you to avoid over exposing the stationary light sources such as the National Stadium lights, while waiting for a new burst of fireworks. Simply hold the card in front of the lens when you wish to "pause" the exposure, and remove it when the fireworks start again. Note this process can be used in reverse, to properly expose any stationary light sources sufficiently if there are too many fireworks in the sky to use a sufficiently long exposure; simply cover the lens when the fireworks are on and complete the exposure when there is a lull. Be careful not to move the camera or lens when you use the card. The safest way is to leave a gap between the lens and the card (hence lens caps are not suitable). If the material is non reflective and the location you are shooting at is relatively dark, this will not be a problem.

Extract from Fireworks: a Crash Course - by Jed Wee

 

[Octarine]

why must use black cloth to cover during the pause?

It's to avoid overheating of the lens due to long terms exposure. [kidding!]

Google for this black card technique, I'm sure there are plenty of pages explaining this. Alternatively you can just shoot normally, without any card or cloth. Shutter speed of 1..2 seconds, neutral WB, aperture around f/8 or f/11 (not f/22, that will result in diffraction already which softens the image). It takes some trial and error to find the best settings, Manual mode is your best friend here since all automatic modes are useless.

 

[kkenji]

i think cny eve got...

cny eve ?

is it at chinatown ?

 

[Rashkae]

cny eve ?

is it at chinatown ?

You're new to singapore? There will be a smaller fireworks at chinatown, but a much bigger one at the bay.

 

[shunzi]

not to forget is the memory card and batt.. you don't want it to go dead before the whole show is finish..:think:

 

[pro_FHM]

U may want to shoot RAW if u have enough memory.
If JPEG, u may want to try shady or cloudy for white balance, the red colored fireworks will turn out nicer.

 

[kkenji]

You're new to singapore? There will be a smaller fireworks at chinatown, but a much bigger one at the bay.

err no hahas

cause i dint heard any news of it =x
and i thought every family would be having reunion dinner. so how to go down to shoot ??
ohh man oh man