Capturing Fireworks shows

[jwolf6589]

This thread is about photography and not videography unlike a previous thread. Anyways if Powershot lacks a fireworks mode what would be the best way to capture photos of fireworks? I am going to a show.

 

[JW5566]

Manual - 6 or 8 seconds shutter, ISO100 (or equivalent low ISO on your camera to reduce noise), adjust aperture accordingly as needed. Tripod obviously essential and ideally use a remote release to avoid camera shake.

I'd also recommend manual focus as faced with a black sky, the camera will struggle to know what you want to focus on. And a white balance setting of say 3500K will look nice, though you can leave that in auto if you're unsure.

 

[jwolf6589]

Manual - 6 or 8 seconds shutter, ISO100 (or equivalent low ISO on your camera to reduce noise), adjust aperture accordingly as needed. Tripod obviously essential and ideally use a remote release to avoid camera shake.

I'd also recommend manual focus as faced with a black sky, the camera will struggle to know what you want to focus on. And a white balance setting of say 3500K will look nice, though you can leave that in auto if you're unsure.

I can do all except a tripod.

 

[bunnspecial]

I have had good luck with fireworks handheld. Remember that they are quite bright, although cranking up the ISO helps.

Manual exposure is key. I suggest wide open, if handholding use a shutter speed high enough to handhold without blur, and adjust ISO to get them to the brightness desired. I'd lock focus at infinity-they should be close enough to be there.

With that said, a tripod is definitely helpful, and can go a long way for all sorts of night time photography. Truth be told it's one of the best sharpness improvements you can even in broad daylight, but night time work.

Examples later...I apparently didn't shift most of my good fireworks photos into Dropbox...

 

[jwolf6589]

I have had good luck with fireworks handheld. Remember that they are quite bright, although cranking up the ISO helps.

Manual exposure is key. I suggest wide open, if handholding use a shutter speed high enough to handhold without blur, and adjust ISO to get them to the brightness desired. I'd lock focus at infinity-they should be close enough to be there.

With that said, a tripod is definitely helpful, and can go a long way for all sorts of night time photography. Truth be told it's one of the best sharpness improvements you can even in broad daylight, but night time work.

Examples later...I apparently didn't shift most of my good fireworks photos into Dropbox...

Yippee!!! Powershot has a fireworks mode which I did not know when I made this post because I was at work.