Q&Afor taking Fireworks Photography
Fireworks/Fireworks Display/Fireworks Photography
Frequentry Asked Question
Fireworks Photography generally@
I want to take a fireworks in photograph, but I seem difficult.
Is it necessary to use a "SPECIAL camera"?
How many seconds should the shutter be opened? Where should I set the F-stop?
What kind of lens should I use?
Which kind of films should I use?
Gee! All fireworks are out of the frame every time.
Overexposure!!
What are the tricks to taking better work?
Any other questions are cordially invited.
I want to take good fireworks photographs, but it seems difficult.
Many people say so. But I would always say "It isn't so." Just use your camera, it's very easy actually. Please read the "Beginner" section, and start right away. Articles on "How to take fireworks photos, etc." have appeared repetitively in camera magazines for years. Unfortunately, they failed to show any new techniques and repeated the same kind of contents. There hasn't been anyone who both knew about the subject generally and was able to write appropriate articles on photography. I present on this web-site's "techniques" page the most updated method that I developed based on orthodox photo techniques. I believe this is practical and exact. I hope you can light- heartedly enjoy taking fireworks photos. When you can get a good image of a fireworks show in a photo, you can always relive the moment like a page in your diary.
Is it necessary to ready for the "SPECIAL camera"?
Today, there are various types of photographs of fireworks. Some vanguard photographers do use special methods or cameras. But except for these special cases, normally, they are taken by normal cameras.Any camera will do, but it should have "bulb" mode (capability for taking time exposure.) If you use an auto-focusing camera, set it to manual mode. I recommend a 35mm single-lens reflex camera, provided that it is not held with your hands but set on a tripod.
How many seconds should I open the shutter? Where should I set the F-stop?
I am asked this question very often. All answers are written down in "How to take fireworks photographs" but I answer simply here, too.
I am asked this question very often. All answers are written down in "How to take fireworks photographs" but I answer simply here, too. If you are an orthodox style photographer like me, do not use high speed shutter like a 1/250 or slow speed like a 1/15. I usually use "bulb" shutter. "Bulb" is a function that keeps open the shutter for the length of time you press the button. But this function is not found in a disposable camera. Most fireworks photographers control exposure time using this function.
How many seconds should you open the shutter? To tell the truth, I don't usually keep time. Exposure time varies according to each type of fireworks, but if you insist that I decide, I would say it's about 1 to 3 seconds.
I recommend the F-stop to be set at about F11 (when you are using ISO100 film). Although, please do not leave it at F11. You will need to control it according to the brightness of the fireworks.
What kind of lens(focal length) should I use ?
Normally for fireworks photographs like mine, I use between 50mm and a wide-angle lens. The upper limit is 70-85mm lens, lower limit is 28mm. So, if you have a zoom lens that has 28-70mm focal distance, it is appropriate for taking fireworks.
Why do we need to cover focal distance from 28 to 70mm? Because there is a certain distance from the fireworks that works best. How far should it be from the launching area? That is about 300 to 500m. .
A zoom lens is very useful because at a fireworks show, once you decide on a spot to set your camera, it is not easy to move to other places. Of course,@single focus lens is supposed to be better than a zoom lens based on optical performance, but because you can cut the time changing the lenses and you can easily and freely change your focal distance, zoom lens has enough merit to make up for its disadvantages.
Which kind of film should I use?
Normal negative or positive=transparency and normal ISO50`100 speed daylight films are widely used. Use any brand of film you like. Fireworks are very bright objects, it's not necessary to use high-speed film like ISO 400. On the contrary, high-speed films may produce rough grain and lose colors on the photo.
I always use ISO100 transparency film. The reason is that I can more or less predict the exposure results for myself. So I would recommend color transparency films. If you would like to go one step higher, please refer to "What the tricks to take more better work?"
"How many rolls of films do you need?" Please see "How to take a fireworks photo: Lesson 1".
Gee! All fireworks are out of the frame every time.
Fireworks are like living things and they don't stay in one place in the sky. You might think that if they are launched from the mortars fixed in one place, they might burst directly above the mortar. But instead, they can swing to right and left or back and forth. Therefore, you need to predict where they might go and adjust framing.
Overexposure!!
Photographing a "starmine" (a set of fireworks launched continuously) can often result in overexposure. Lots of shells burst in the same area at the same time, and as a result, you get overexposure. Many people told me, "I am not good at taking "starmines"".
It is important to shoot in short sequences every 1 to3 seconds. Another problem is that the pictures can become chaotic when you have many fireworks in one frame. Please refer to "Lessons for advanced photographers." in "How to take fireworks photographs."
What will you do when caught in a sudden shower during shooting?
First, put up an umbrella ........(^^);;;. Don't be too obsessed with the fireworks and pay attention to the change in the atmosphere and in the clouds and try to predict precipitation. Keep your rain gear ready at hand. When it actually starts to pour, this is what I do. (This is when I still have some hope to continue shooting.)
1. Put up an umbrella. Cover the lens, protecting my camera.
2. Cover the camera on a tripod with a garbage bag.
3. Cover the camera bags with a plastic sheet. I carry several just in case.
4. Put on a plastic raincoat.
Then I wait for the rain to stop, but if it doesn't I'll have to pack up. Try not to wet your film and equipment. I make it a habit to carry rain gear at all times.
What are the tricks to taking better work?
"Gain experience!" is the only secret. But may be it's not a kind answer. Well, if you have been using negative films, please try using transparency films. The latest negative films have excellent quality, but even when you make mistakes on exposure, printing machine modifies it for you. So, you will never learn the right amount. You can only learn from your results and experience.
Also, try to imagine your finished work. According to that image, you can chose position, distance, direction and so on. When you can "capture" the desired image in your photo, you'll know that you have improved.
Obtaining knowledge and getting information on fireworks, watching many kinds of fireworks and finely choreographed displays are more important tricks than camera techniques. Take a lot of photos and pile unsuccessful ones high. They will make stepping stones to your success.
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