• Photos

  • Level

  • Score

2001 July 4th Fireworks #3 [35mm SLR Photos]

© John A. Lind

2001 July 4th Fireworks #3

Uploaded: July 17, 2001 00:39:56

Description

35mm lens; ISO 100 Fuji Reala; f/8 aperture; "B" shutter speed with several second exposure; tripod plus cable release

Comments

David Nikithser October 03, 2001

Can I ask. . .are there any special "tricks" to photographing fireworks? I'm going to have an opportunity at the end of the month to photograph a fireworks display and wanted to know if there was anything specific to the techniques. These photos look great! #986

John A. Lind October 04, 2001

David,
They're done using a tripod, cable release and timed exposures. A focal length between 24mm and 35mm usually works best, although it is dependent on how far you are from the fireworks display. Exposure is set by lens aperture alone and is based on film speed. Shutter is kept open no longer than 8 seconds to prevent the sky from becoming too gray. Exact time is based on how many "bursts" occur, usually no more than three or four. ISO 100 film works just fine and I don't recommend anything faster than ISO 200. Use f/8 for ISO 64 to ISO 100; use f/11 for ISO 125 to ISO 200 films. Aim the camera by watching the first several rockets through the viewfinder. Check it occasionally throughout the show. It's one of the reasons the camera is turned vertical; it allows more variation in altitude. Don't expect every shot to be great; there's an element of luck to this. I typically use an entire 36 exposure roll for a half-hour to 45-minute show and get between 3-8 good ones from it.

-- John #1436

David Nikithser October 04, 2001

John,

You've provided far more detail than I could have ever hoped for! Thanks for the great advice -- I'll make sure I post my results after the show.

Thanks again --

-- David
#1437


To discuss, first log in or sign up (buttons are at top center of page).

Get Constructive Critiques

Sign up for an interactive online photography course to get critiques on your photos.


 

Did You Know?

Discussions by Category: You can view photo discussions on various themes in the Community > Photo Discussions section of the site.

BetterPhoto Websites: If you see an orange website link directly under the photographer's name, it's totally okay. It's not spam. The reason: BetterPhoto is the one that offers these personal photography websites. We are supporting our clients with those links.

Unavailable EXIF: If there is no other information but 'Unavailable' in the EXIF (meaning no EXIF data exists with the photo), the 'Unavailable' blurb is not displayed. If there is any info, it shows. Many photos have the EXIF stripped out when people modify the image and resave it, before uploading.


 

The following truth is one of the core philosophies of BetterPhoto:

I hear, I forget.
I see, I remember.
I do, I understand.

You learn by doing. Take your next online photography class.

You &

Love It!


Copyright for this photo belongs solely to John A. Lind.
Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
Log in to follow or message this photographer or report this photo.