First time trying fireworks photography

[Craig A]

C&C welcome.





http://www.flickr.com/photos/craig_arnold/sets/72157624283817133/





Exif: Canon EOS Rebel T1i, F/13, Bulb, ISO 100. EF-S 18-55 IS.

[bouwy]

Nice shots Graig. Well done. I've tried a few times, but my pic's were not as good as yours. Excellent. Regards Wally.

[ddt0725]

Awesome shots, Craig! I am debating whether to try my first attempt at it this weekend! You did a great job and if I go, at least you answered my question of which lens to use!

Denise

[Richard Lane]

Hi Craig,


I don't have much experience with fireworks either, but 2 things that I could point out that may help you next time, are:


1)It appears that a shorter Focal Length on your zoom would have been better, or you could back up a little bit next time (which isn't so easy with a tripod in a crowd), because a lot of the fireworks are bursting off of the frame. I would like to see the full burst in the frame surrounded by a little black.


2) The other comment is, to shoot more Verticals of the fireworks instead of Landscape horizontal.


Otherwise, great first attempt.


Rich

[MrGreenBug]

Cool fireworks photos! It looks like not your first time. []

[Sean Setters]

For everyone stopping by this thread, I wanted to recount a tip I found in popular photography--try some short zooming during the end of the exposure (as the firework is exploding). From the examples I saw, it transformed regular looking fireworks into something extraordinary.


Anyway, it might be worth a try...

[Jonathan Huyer]

Craig, nice work! I also tried shooting some fireworks on Canada Dayand it was great fun. Some pointers I might suggest:
- make sure your tripod is level. Some of your shots have an angled horizon. I always use a bubble level.
- spend some time choosing the best vantage point. That sign on the left of some of the images is a bit of a distraction.
- shoot some frames in the vertical, and zoom out a bit. I like it when you can catch a complete rocket trail leading to a burst.


Here's an article you might find interesting. Some of the points are basic but it's a good read regardless:
http://www.canadiannaturephotographer.com/Fireworks.pdf


Happy shooting, and happy Fourth of July!

[mikehillman89]

Nice shots Craig! Your display was much better than mine was... It was all scattered and came from 3 places and etc etc etc ha! Great shots though. I recommend trying to stay upwind of the display as then the smoke will be blown away, but probably like me, there was no wind and made it impossible!


Good luck!