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10 Tips How To Photo Fireworks
Everyone really likes cool pictures of fireworks, especially when they
are bright and dynamic. But it is a real challenge to take such
pictures, because it is a difficult subject for shooting. In this
article we're going to talk about some tricks that would help you take
really amazing shots.
1. Use a Tripod
A tripod is the key accessory in the night photo session. It is absolutely essential in order to get a clear image at long shutter speeds, and to avoid camera
vibrations. It is also recommended to hang your photo case under the
tripod to make it more stable.
2. Autorelease, Remote Control or Remote Cable
Each camera vibration has an impact on the picture clearness. You may
use autorelease not to transfer a single vibration to the camera during
shooting. In this case you can control your camera, not even touching
the release button.
3. Framing
Try to make picture framing before the start of fireworks. You may even come earlier to estimate weather conditions (clouds, sky etc.), plan your shooting
point and arrange the composition. Also, try to take pictures at the
widest possible angle - then you will not loose any objects in your
shot, which will give you a real advantage during photo editing.
If the firework is held close to water, you may find a spot from which
the bright fire reflections would be seen. But remember, that you need
to catch not only the reflections, but the black part of the water.
Otherwise it will look completely white on the shot.
4. Shutter Speed
Long shutter speed leaves long firework trails - hopefully you know it
from the basis of photo exposure. Most often the firework is
photographed at shutter speeds of more than 1 second.
But you may also
try to shoot in the Manual mode, using the bulb function. On some
cameras the work of bulb function may be different, but the principle
is the following: when you press the release button, the
camera mirror is raised and image exposition process is started. Then, when you press the
release button for the second time, you end up with the exposition
process, meaning that you can be fully in control of the shutter speed.
So here's a small tip of the firework shooting with the bulb function: you may start
taking picture of the firework shell when it is already flying into the
sky (its trail won't spoil the whole composition, if it is seen on the
image). And just one second before the fire lights start falling, press
the release button again. You will receive a shot like that:
5. Diaphragm
It is better to shoot with the diaphragm in the range of f/8 - f/16, because optics delivers a much better picture at the mid. values of diaphragm.
Fireworks are generally shot at a long distance, and in this case
you'll take you pictures at hyperfocal length, which would make your background absolutely clear.
6. Background
If you shoot the firework on the city background, you may face the
problem of bad illumination of the city lights. The reason is that the
firework brightness is much more powerful.
In order to get the shot with the detailed background you should
estimate the difference between the firework and buildings'
illumination. If the difference is not that much, you may improve your
images later in Photoshop. But if it is rather obvious, you can take
the picture of the city separately and then combine it with the
firework picture in Photoshop.
7. ISO
The best ISO parameter is 100. This ISO value meets the lowest color noise in any camera.
8. Turn Off The Flash
As you may already know, flashing effect is not unlimited and works on
a relatively small distance, making clear details in the shot. Of
course, it may not reach the firework itself, but due to the flash your
camera will be using short shutter speed.
Also it is not recommended to shoot in the full Auto mode, because if
the lighting is insufficient, the camera will activate its flash by
itself.
9. Downwind Shooting
When you choose a place of shooting, you may check the wind direction and
select such a place, so as to stand downwind. It will allow you to take
the best shots of the fireworks, because the smoke will fly away from
you and won't be captured.
10. Practice
When you analyze the received shots, try not to forget using a
histogram, because it helps you make adjustments in the exposure and
other settings, so as to make your shot planning a success. Also, you
may find it useful taking several shots (serial shooting), because you
may not be able to find another chance of photographing fireworks in
the nearest time.
You are welcome to join our photo contests with your fireworks photos!
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