HOW TO: Photographing fireworks at WDW

[Scottwdw]

Been looking at all the great photos of Wishes and illuminations on the site but didn't find a "How to" thread. ;D So, all you fireworks photographers, how do I set up and shoot them?

Leaving in 11 days and will have the following equipment: Nikon D70, 50mm f1.8, 18-200 VR, shutter remote and tripod.

Thanks!

 

[Roger]

Tripod

Your widest lens for Illuminations. the 18-200 may be good if you don't get a great place to shoot from.

Shutter cable

In the old days: ISO 100, f/8, hold shutter open manually for 3-7 seconds depending on the burst(s). Plus don't use slides.

Nowadays it seems that ISO 100 will overexpose the castle and/or get that long exposure noise.

I think it seems like ISO 400 ish, f/8 - take some sample pics of the castle before the show to get the exposure time for the castle right, then set the camera on manual with the aperture and the # of seconds and use that. Plus use Nikon RAW.

I'm sure Tim can add to this.

 

[idarknight]

If you can get a seat early - tripod it for sure, otherwise, you should be able to hand hold to 1/10 (or lower) with your 18-200 and an ISO of 800. If you are hand holding, time the shutter release with the top or bottom of your breath to help with stability.

I had great luck hand holding with my Sony V3 in WDW, but not so great with my 30D in DL this April (I think it was also just a bad location on the last trip).

 

[Craig]

Hi Scott, I have been able to shoot fireworks twice with the D80 since I got it. I hand held both times. I only have the same lens you have, 18-200. Both times I left in on auto iso with the max being 1600. The first time was manual exposure with auto iso. The second time is my preferred (easier) method: A priority, wide open and auto iso. It seems to work well. But, I don't think you will get too many of those great big, giant fireworks blasts.

 

[Craig]

So, Scott, did you get any fireworks pictures? How did the new lens work for you.

 

[Tim]

a few of my tips...

lowest ISO possible
f8 - f11
1 - 2.5 sec shutter speed
TRIPOD TRIPOD TRIPOD

 

[dawholagn]

I have shot fireworks using both ISO 100 & 400. I think my ISO 100 results rendered better results, but your milage may vary dependant on your surroundings etc.

ISO 400 - f/10

ISO 100 - f/3.5

 

[Matt Pasant]

My first shot at Fireworks photo's using Tim's tips fromt this past weekend..

Shot #1
F10
ISO 400
2.0 secs
Tripod Tripod Tripod

Shot #2
F10
ISO 400
6.0 secs
Tripod Tripod Tripod

 

[SyracuseWolvrne]

Semi-related question: Anyone ever tried shooting fireworks with a prime lens? I'm thinking it might produce some interesting results, but I haven't actually bought a fixed-length lens yet, so haven't tried it.

Here's a few of my favorite fireworks shots.

#1 - F/4, ISO 100, 1/2 second (handheld)

#2 - F/4, ISO 100, 1 second (handheld)

#3 F/5, ISO 100, 0.6 second (handheld)

#4 F/4, ISO 100, 1 second (handheld)

Now, I fully admit that I don't use a lot of the features of my camera. Still working on learning it. (for example, all were shot as JPEG, I don't think I've shot a RAW image in the 2 years I've had my camera). I also could have bumped the ISO up quite a bit. Anyone able to recommend a good noise removal plugin for Photoshop?

 

[Roger]

I really like Noise Ninja, I know there are other noise removal plugins out there.

Prime lens? Handheld? No. On a tripod? Yes. My first ones were of Fantasy in the Sky at DL with the 50/1.8 (which met it's demise that winter on a cold & icy NYC street)