Fireworks pictures

S

scpergj

Member
Ok...now that I have my camera, and have been famaliarizing myself with it's controls, I have a question. We are planning to see Wishes and Illuminations while we are at WDW next weekend, and I really want to take some GOOD pictures of the fireworks. I have some from my old PHD digital, but never tried with my old film SLR.

My camera is a Nikon D80, with the 18-55mm kit lens. I am planning to purchase more (and better) lenses, but I won't have them for this trip. Any suggestions to make my fireworks pictures pop?

Thanks

Kevin
 
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I try to get the exposure correct in the camera so I don't have to do much in the computer, but when I do edit in the computer, I use Nikon Capture NX to edit the raw files. Capture NX allows you to adjust individual colors without affecting the rest of the photo. The first photo below was cropped and the blue was lightened a little bit, but the last two were only cropped:

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http://www.pbase.com/msummers/image/82505448/medium.jpg

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http://www.pbase.com/msummers/image/84381702/medium.jpg

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http://www.pbase.com/msummers/image/82505452/medium.jpg

Other than that, its all about having the right settings and timing. The way I approach shooting fireworks with a building in a background is to get the exposure correct on the building just before the fireworks start and then adjust the settings based on that correct exposure. It helps if you are familiar with how changing the aperture will affect the amount of light coming in. For example, if you change the aperture and cut the amount of light in half, you would need to double the length of time the shutter is open to account for the aperture change to keep the building correct. Unfortunately there is no magic setting that will work during the entire show.

I also like to use long exposures so I can capture multiple bursts in one shot, but that requires a tripod and cable release.
 
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OK...all of that makes sense. I've been playing with settings, so I should have a good idea on those before we go.

BTW, I have to ask...that third shot...where was it taken from? It kind of looks like it could be from the TTC, but the offset to the right seems greater than that. They are all amazing!

Thanks

Kevin
 
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I use a decent point-and-shoot, still can't justify the cost of a DSLR (yet). What works well for me, provided you have spare batteries, and a high-speed/large capacity memory card, is setting my camera to burst mode and holding down the shutter button. I end up with lots of pictures, many not too great, but some fun shots mixed in. This is one of my favorites...

[This attachment has been purged. Older attachments are purged from time to time to conserve disk space. Please feel free to repost your image.]
 
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"mSummers" said:
Yes, the third one is from the TTC. It was taken from the top of the exit ramp at the ferry dock.

You might want check out some of the fireworks photos at these sites:
http://www.pbase.com/msummers/magic_kingdom_april_2007
http://www.pbase.com/catson/wishes_fire ... pectacular

The technical data under the photos list the settings used for each one. That should give you a good starting point.

Good Luck!
Click to expand...

Those are absolutely stunning! I appreciate the help on settings - I hope to get shots as good as those some day...not this trip, but someday!

Kevin
 
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