Story Bridge

[zafra52]

Taken last night from the rooftop of a friend's apartment. I still have
to master the technique of taking the right lens to a event. I took the
17 - 55, which is one of the fastest and widest lens I have. But, very
little zoom. Anyway for what is worth, I sung the same song "if I had
brought the right lens..."

[surenj]

What's the event?

You had the right lens Zafra. Just need to take the shot before smoke fills the scene (ie very early) and get a longish 1-5 second exposure (or longer) and time it right.

[zafra52]

Thank you, Surenj. My photos of fireworks are
never this good. My setting were ISO 1600, f2.8
1/250 and 21mm. What settings do you think
would they be more appropriate?

[the foto fanatic]

Congratulations on getting out to see RiverFire and photograph it. I was stuck in front of the tv in footy final mode but Ch 9 did show the fireworks which looked very spectacular.

I think you could have used a smaller aperture which gives you more wriggle room when it comes to focus. I generally use f8 or f11 and a manual shutter speed of several seconds if I have a tripod. You can cover the lens with a lens cap or piece of black paper between the various displays and build up a composite image.

If no tripod then jam the camera and yourself against something solid and hope for the best. You might want to open up to about f4 in this case as the resultant shutter speed will give yourself a chance of holding the camera steady for the exposure. The following was shot at f4 and 1/5 sec with the camera held firmly against a railing. In fairness I probably had a bit more ambient light than you had for your image in this thread.


Yesterday I came across this Trey Ratcliff photo of RiverFire that demonstrates the multiple exposure technique.
http://stuckincustoms.smugmug.com/Portfolio/i-PMBqVr3/A

[surenj]

Zafra,

I think Trevor has given you great advice.

What I suggest as a starting point at fireworks is
1. tripod (anticipate where they will explode etc and position yourself pretty early)
2. f8 - f10
3. shutter to suit (between second and several seconds)
4. ISO 100
5. focus should be hyperfocal and then switched to manual (don't adjust this)
6. covering your lens is a cool method and can be used to expose the background correctly once you'd got the fireworks right. (I wouldn't bother with this method until you've got 1-5 absolutely nailed)

[zafra52]

Guys, thanks for the advice. I will also try next time
to get a better vantage point. Last time I went to a
public place after waiting for hours the children came
and squizzed themselves in followed by their mums
and dads pushing themselves in regardless of cameras
or manners. But, I've got this offer from a friend to
celebrate with them. It would have been nice to know
this info before hand and get better photos.