LessonQ@Getting Ready to Take Photographs
Getting "event information" in advance
Location hunting
Camera position
Set up tripod in early.
Fireworks as photographic objects of art
Getting "event information" in advance
Fireworks photography actually "starts" at this point in time.
So what is "event information?" This includes the name of the fireworks festival or event.
The date of the display. The beginning, and ending, times. The scale of the event: 20 minutes? 45 minutes? How many shells will be fired? Etc. Are there any special features included in the display? Where is the location of the information operations center? Where is the launching point? Where are the spectator stands? Where is a good spot for a photographer with a tripod? Are "pay seats" available? Are there any special traffic control restrictions? Car parking areas? Where is the nearest public transportation station? In addition, if you are traveling from a distant location, you may need to make arrangements for a hotel and possibly a rental car. The list goes on and on.
On the day of the event, you should always confirm whether the fireworks display will be held or canceled. Rainy weather and high winds are bad conditions for fireworks operators and can result in the cancellation (or re-scheduling) of a display. (High winds at the starting time are especially dangerous.) Event operators will generally allow a fireworks display to start in spite of light rain however.
Next, and this will save you a lot of trouble, you should study a map of the area and decide (approximately) on your camera position before walking out to the viewing area.
There are several ways of getting fireworks display information. You can refer to fireworks related websites, or newspapers, which provide calendar-of-events information. All you have to do is USE this information! Advance planning is very important. Please make use of the calendar information provided on this homepage (Japanese fireworks schedules only).
Once you decide on a display that you want to see, please call the information center to obtain more detailed information about the event.
Location hunting
Nice camera position bring about nice results. If you want get camera position as you like, in your own way, you make efforts to get it. You must decide your camera position until 3 hours before the begining display, and you must be able to start on take a photograph any time. In the case of popular fireworks display, it's too late and need more waiting time. These displays, close to the opening time, far from set a tripod, it is difficult to approach because of crowded. If you can afford money, or too busy, it is nice idea to keep some pay seat or reserved area, or viewing ship.
Almost pay seat is special seat, but there is no guarantee that these are suitable for taking photography. Any ships, boat, yacht are out of the question to take a photos because of rolling. Too much better seat is too near to take a photos.
What is the definition of a "good camera position?"
Unfortunately, there are many factors to consider. But first and foremost, always consider the wind direction, and try to choose a position that is a moderate distance from the launching point.
A good distance for beautiful fireworks photography is approximately 400 to 600m away. A distance of less than 400m is too close to the display, and you will have difficulty aiming and framing your pictures. At a distance of 700m or more, you will not feel the "power" of the fireworks. The maximum limit for fireworks photography is 1000m. If you attempt to take photos from more than 1000m away, you will need very clear air conditions, and a good line-of-sight view of the display area.
Additionally, if you are positioned more than 1000m away, you will see the flash and experience a remarkable time lag before hearing the burst sound, which may be discomforting and distracting. If I am looking at fireworks from a long distance, I would prefer that the blast sound be completely inaudible, rather than making such a feeble sound.
An experienced fireworks photographer can tell the difference between shells simply by hearing the launching sound from the mortar. From this sound alone, you can learn to recognize the size of each shell, and estimate the timing and burst altitude point. As a result, I suggest that fireworks photography from long distances (1000m or more) is generally not recommended. Of course, some very large shells (like 24-inches or larger) need a vast safety area, and you will be forced to take photographs from a longer distance.
The most important thing to do when you first arrive at the field is to decide on your camera position and to establish your tripod location. You should initially choose your location by considering the direction of the launching platform. It's usually not hard to figure out _ simply look to where the fireworks are sitting in the display area. If you need more details, you may ask at the management office.
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Camera position
For a good camera position, please review the following points:
First, pay attention to the wind direction. In an open field, it's a simple choice; never choose a spot downwind, because the smoke from the fireworks will reduce the quality of your pictures (right photo). What is more, you might actually experience a lot of cinder "fallout" depending on the wind direction and distance from the launching area. If you studied a map beforehand and selected a position, only to discover that the wind is bad then you must choose another position.
Next, if possible, choose a position that is "away" from the crowds. Avoid major passageways where many people are walking to-and-fro (nearby streets, parking lots, near the refreshment booths, etc). These are not good places for fireworks photography as you will constantly feel nervous about people walking in front of your lens or kicking your tripod during an exposure! It is also advisable to avoid areas with strong lighting which may wash out your images.
Stability of your tripod is another very important consideration. Try to avoid soft, or uneven, surfaces.
If you are forced to set up in a "steep" position, like on the bank of a river, you may need some sort of device to stabilize your tripod and keep it vertical.
Never step into a "Keep Out" area as it can be very dangerous. If you break into a Keep Out zone, and the worst should happen, then all legal and financial responsibility rests with you, and any photos taken from a banned area will completely lose their value.
Once you have decided on your best position for the fireworks event, you must immediately secure your place. Start by spreading a ground mat, or a seat, and set up your tripod. If you wish, attach the camera to the tripod and double-check the overall framing and composition. Depending on the time, you may decide to cover, or re-stow, your camera until just before show time. After that, the only thing to do is wait for the show to begin. At this point, a portable folding chair is very comfortable and convenient!
Set up tripod through entire waiting period
When is the best time to set up my tripod? Ten minutes before the show starts? One hour before the show starts?
The answer is: Set up your tripod immediately after you decide on your camera position. This is very important! If you are going to take photographs during a fireworks event, you must set up your tripod well before the start of the show. Simply spreading a mat, or a newspaper, on the ground is not acceptable. The "early-standing tripod" is a clear signal to other audience members that "I intend to stand here and take photographs during the show."
After setting your camera on the tripod and checking the frame composition, you must leave it set up in the exact position that you will use during the performance. Furthermore, you must adjust each leg of the tripod to its fullest extension _ or just as high as when you intend to use it. It is acceptable to keep your camera in the bag until just before the show starts.
But you must set up the tripod as early as possible to give clear "notice" to the other spectators. You should never set up a tripod just before the start of a fireworks display where the position was simply reserved by only a mat or newspaper. People around you will invariably complain. Instead, by arriving early and clearly identifying your spot, other audience members will see the tripod, understand your intention, and they will probably move to another position to avoid looking at your back. Other photographers will also consider your position and choose their spots accordingly.
During the waiting period, you should try to plan out the images you wish to take. Generally, it's too late if you wait until you see a shell burst and think "I wish I had taken that picture." It's important to decide beforehand by studying the event program. Most fireworks displays (especially in Japan) are designed to build up tension and excitement which reaches a big climax in the latter half, and at the end of the show. You should not miss this "good time zone" at the end for taking nice photographs.
Fireworks as photographic objects of art.
I believe you understand that fireworks photography is not only about operating a camera, varying the aperture, and worrying about exposure times. (I've intentionally left the camera operation explanation out in this lesson.) But the most important thing is knowledge about fireworks themselves.
All right everybody, how many things do you know about fireworks or Hanabi? Can you tell the difference between "Chrysanthemums, Peonies, and Starmines?" Those who are unsure about fireworks generally shout "Tamaya!" or "Kagiya!" (in a cheering way) in response to all shells launched during a fireworks display _ this happens everywhere in Japan. "Tamaya" and "Kagiya" were actually fireworks factories from the Edo Period that were located in what is now Tokyo.
So, it's a bit funny, to shout out the names of Tokyo fireworks factories while watching displays in other parts of Japan. So if you don't know much about fireworks themselves then, please try to study and learn a little more.
For example, if you are interested in sports photography, you must learn the rules of the game. In the case of flower or gardening photography, you should learn the names of various flowers, plants, and how they live. If you wish to photograph trains, or airplanes, you must become familiar with the various routes and timetables. Accordingly, knowledge of fireworks themselves, such as identification of shell type and burst altitude, is one of the most important techniques of fireworks photography. Then when you visit fireworks displays, you will enjoy them much more _ even if you are not taking photos. It can safely be said that any additional knowledge or background information about the subject will greatly improve your photographic work.
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