Time to take on the infamously difficult firework photograph. Tripod in hand and training wheels off. Yep, manual all the way my friends. I was super excited with the results.
For the best shots the shutter has to stay open for at least 2 seconds, if not longer, and even the tiniest shift of your posture creates blur. I used a super portable Gorillapod but there are loads of options out there.
// Be brave and go manual.
Manual transmission. Manual camera settings. Things in manual freak me out. But you know what they say about going outside your comfort zone.
I found my own settings produced far better shots than the 'fireworks' setting on the camera. I had a play around with some sparklers the day before to get an idea of which settings produce the best nighttime results.
I found my own settings produced far better shots than the 'fireworks' setting on the camera. I had a play around with some sparklers the day before to get an idea of which settings produce the best nighttime results.
// Low ISO.
I used an ISO of 125, but 100 seems to do the trick as well.
// Find an interesting spot.
Everyone will tell you to find a 'good' spot. But I thought the best advice I had found was to find an 'interesting spot'. Find a spot with trees bordering the frame, or a pond to reflect the fireworks in. I didn't have a ton of options where I was but I had a clear view, some trees around the edges and the moon in the right side of the frame.
// Read up and go outside your comfort zone.
I found this website to be a great resource for self teaching photography all over again. They have some great analogies for those of us who are memory challenged (who me?).
I recently saw this video where a guy strapped his GoPro camera to a drone and filmed fireworks from within. It's amazing!
Considering my last stab at firework photographs on New Years Eve in Sydney Harbour a few years ago produced this less than desirable shot,
...I'd say I've come quite a long way. At least this time I couldn't blame any blur on the vodka sodas.
Do you have any firework photography tips?
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