Good base settings for shooting fireworks?

1

10 Gauge

Senior Member
I've never done it before but there's a fireworks displays tonight that I'd like to shoot if the rain ever stops.

Just looking for a starting setup that I can tweak from there.

What's a good exposure length? In my mind I'm thinking somewhere around 1"? What kind of aperture, maybe f8?

Thanks for the suggestions. Would be nice to have somewhere to start so I'm not missing the whole show trying to figure out what works. :)

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4

480sparky

Senior Member
ISO 100, f/11.

Some will be brighter and the highlights will burn out. Others will be darker and end up underexposed. But there's no way to predict this in the field to adjust for it. So shoot in raw so you have the most data to edit in post.

My method is to set the camera up on a tripod with the head slightly loosened so I can adjust the camera by pushing on it. I use a wired release to open the shutter once I stop moving the camera. I keep the shutter open until the fireworks dies out. I prefer to do multiple firework bursts in post instead of in-cam.
 
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1

10 Gauge

Senior Member
Thanks gentleman. Looking at the forecast I won't be doing any shooting tonight, but maybe the weather will decide to cooperate later in the day.
 
4

480sparky

Senior Member
10 Gauge said:
Oh yeah, one more question, focus.... Just set to infinity on the lens and blast away?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't trust the marking on the lens (if it has them). I generally focus on a street light using live view before the fun begins.

As a side note, one can actually change the focus during the bloom to create some interesting effects:

Focused from minimum to infinity during the bloom:

FlowerNo1_4924post.jpg


FlowerNo8_4979post.jpg


FlowerNo3_4926post.jpg
 
1

10 Gauge

Senior Member
Wow those are awesome with the focus change effect! I'd be afraid that I'd bump the camera trying to turn the focus ring and make the fireworks look all wonky. So many things to try if I can ever get to a fireworks display.
 
4

480sparky

Senior Member
10 Gauge said:
Wow those are awesome with the focus change effect! I'd be afraid that I'd bump the camera trying to turn the focus ring and make the fireworks look all wonky. So many things to try if I can ever get to a fireworks display.
Click to expand...

You can always try it. The worst that can happen is they don't work. But you'll never know if you don't try. I'd suggest you try it towards the end of the show so you don't adjust your pre-set focus during the bulk of the bursts.
 
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