Taking Fireworks Pic during the Newyear night?

Sudhar · #1 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 15:45

Hi All,

I am new to SLR Photography. I have some experience in Normal digital Cam also I am using mine(Sony A200) for last two months.Tommorrow is new year night, So I wanted to take some Fireworks Pictures. I wanted to know which setting will be perfect for taking the fireworks pictures.
Shooting mode : Aperature?
F no: 11
WB : ?
ISO : ?

I have an Tripod to fix the camera to take the Picture with the Long exposure shots.

Thanks in Advance
Regards,
Sudhar

**Dennyboy** · #2 (**permalink**) 30-12-2008, 16:06

Hi Fellow Sony user!

Aperture f8-f16 should be adequate

Tripod essential-remote release useful if you have one.

Fireworks are quite bright so ISO as low as possible, tripod helps.

Shutter speed reckon this is a bit of an experimental bit. Need to try a couple of settings

PS Manual focus

White Balance if you shoot raw doesnt matter if not i would say auto

Try to stay upwind so the smoke doesnt cover the fireworks! i.e. camera>fireworks then smoke! Or you will get hazy images.

No real expert on this by the way just using my judgement!

Sudhar · #3 (**permalink**) 31-12-2008, 09:25

Hi Denny,
Thanks for your suggestions. I will try the combination you mentioned. also I will try some combinations to check how that works and which suits the best firework shorts.
As you mentioned today the climate is foggy out here, I hope I will get cleared during the day.

Thanks once again for your suggestion.

Regards,
Sudhar

**Mello** · #4 (**permalink**) 31-12-2008, 09:58

Not an Expert at this by any means but would try this as a starting point.

Obviously tripod mounted,Iso 100/200,f8,AWB start with exp's of 2 secs and experiment from there,try and manual focus on a firework in a specific area then take the actual shot of the next one in that area where you have already pre-focused.

If you have a shutter release??? again pre-focus on an area and with the BULB feature press the shutter just before you think it's going to go off??? then just after it's flashed then let go of the shutter release...it's all really trial and error i have tried lots of times and to be quite honest it's difficult so don't beat yourself up if everythings not pin-sharp the first time you try...

cyclone · #5 (**permalink**) 31-12-2008, 11:17

All that, I go for the BULB exposure myself. Manual focus @ infinity

genese · #6 (**permalink**) 31-12-2008, 17:10

i use bulb too tripod mounted helps if your tripod has a decent swivel and up down lever.. shutter switch, some of the nest photos ive seen and most sellable have decent scenery in the back ground, ie.. a lite castle or bridge etc.. so worth trying some landscape shots too...

Sudhar · #7 (**permalink**) 02-01-2009, 10:56

Hi All,
Thanks for the Tips you have given for taking the Night Photography.
I tried some in the New year night, but It was too foggy, so It didn't came that good. Also I am new to Bulb Mode(Currently I don't have Remote, need to get one ,I tried with Aperture mode to take the firework photos) and I have to explore that before I try some thing Like taking the Fireworks Photography.
Once again thanks for your inputs, Based on your inputs I will keep trying until I get something good :-).