SHOOTING FIREWORKS

4th of July is just around the corner. Here is a simple, effective, and fun way to capture fireworks,  for those with a DSLR camera and a tripod.

First, find out where the fireworks will be. Locate that area with your camera. Give yourself enough space (focal length) to cover part of the reflections (if any) and the highest point of the fireworks displays. This is an estimate at this point. You can always crop later if necessary.

Equipment needed: a tripod, zoom lens--between 18mm-200mm, depending on how close or far you are to the displays. A cable release or remote. Set camera's shutter to BULB. Set  f/stop to roughly f/8--you might need to change to f/9 or f/10 during the evening, if the bursts come out too bright. You can shoot RAW, but I've shot JPEG Fine with excellent results. Set lens to manual focus.You will also need a square or rectangular piece of opaque material--enough to cover the lens. Let's call this the "cover.". Example: camera manual, poster board, etc. Make sure it's not thin and flimsy.

STEPS: Set up the camera's estimated position. Most shots will be vertical. Keep the lens cap on until it's time for the fireworks. Through the lens, see where they are and how high they're going. Adjust the camera and focal length accordingly. Focus on near-infinity--you can tell if you got it right by displaying the first burst.

Now, the fun begins. With the cover on and your finger on the cable release/remote, when the next burst explodes, click the shutter while quickly removing the cover out of the way, then put it back within 1-3 seconds (experiment with the time during the evening). Throughout the night, experiment with two-three bursts. Remove the cover, then place it back, but leave the shutter open with your finger on the cable release or remote.

Throughout the night, experiment with two-three bursts: Click the shutter and remove the cover, then place it back, but leave the shutter open with your finger on the cable release. Take the cover off again when you see the next burst, then cover it up again. You just combined two bursts in your image! Repeat the process with three bursts. You'll be amazed. Have fun!

If you work fast, you will have plenty of time during the evening to get several great shots! Again, have fun with it!

Contact me with any questions before the 4th, or if you'd like a short ZOOM lesson.
vegaphotoart@gmail.com          www.elivega.net