Fireworks

To watch a fireworks display is quite spectacular. However capturing exciting fireworks images needs careful planning and a bit of luck.

Fig n.10 was taken at Epcot, Disneyworld, Florida. This is argueably the most spectacular fireworks display in the world and it is performed every night. Contrary to what is advised here for most firework displays, there is so much set off here, the exposure took only 4 seconds.

fig n.10 Shooting Fireworks

Each burst of firework can takeup to 5 seconds to complete its pattern in the sky. To capture one burst is nice but sometimes it may not look as striking in an image as a few bursts of fireworks. Therefore ideally the exposure should be long enough for at least 2 or three bursts of fireworks to appear on the image.

As fireworks are set off at night, this does give the chance to use long exposures without fear of over exposure unless there is a large amount of ambient artificial lighting showing in the image or traces of daylight.

There are a number of ways of shooting fireworks, depending on the features available in your camera. Some cameras may only have set shutter speeds up to 30 seconds. Other cameras may have a B setting, which allows the shutter to stay open indefinitely. Here is a few different ways to capture fireworks.

Using Set Shutter Speeds:

• Put the camera on a sturdy tripod.
• Use Manual Exposure Mode and set the aperture to a fairly high f-number of at least f16. This will reduce the exposure of any ambient lighting. Disregard any meter readings. Set the camera shutter speed to the desired speed, which should be long enough to expose a few bursts. 15 to 30 seconds should do but longer if your camera has a longer setting.
• Switch off the Auto Focusing and set the lens to infinity. use a wide angle lens to capture as much of the sky as possible. Ideally compose the framing with the first few bursts of fireworks so you ensure all will be within the frame.
• Wait for rocket on the way up, Press the shutter button and keep your hands off the camera while the exposure is taking place. Hopefully a few bursts will appear during the exposure time.

Using the "B" setting: The same procedure as with using a set shutter speed. Except this time the camera is set to B and the shutter can be kept open much longer. You will need a remote release that will keep the shutter open manually.

Using a Lens Cover as a shutter: When using the B setting a lens cover can be used to cover the lens while no fireworks are set off. This will reduce exposure of any ambient lighting and increase the chances of getting many more bursts of fireworks on one frame. The same setup applies as for Set shutter speeds and using B except:

• Trip the B shutter using a remote release but with the lens cap on the front of the camera.
• When a burst comes, very carefully remove the lens cap without moving the camera. Any ambient lighting will record blur if the camera is accidently moved even a fraction.
• After each burst is finished, very carefully put the lens cap back on.
• When you feel you have enough fireworks on the one image, close the shutter with the remote release.

This method is a bit "trial and error" as the camera is prone to be moved and if there is a lot of ambient light about, prone to over exposure as well. The trick is to minimise the amount of scene that may be lit.

Multiple Exposure: Few cameras have a Multiple Exposure mode. However if yours has this then it can also be used. The same steps are used as for using a lens cap except you are pressing the shutter rather then using the lens cap as a shutter. A remote release would be very beneficial as pressing the shutter button by hand could move the camera.