We had a nearly perfect viewpoint for the Webster Groves fireworks. Just on the edge of the infield dirt of the baseball diamond so there was no one for more than a hundred feet behind me. I could stand behind my tripod and not block anyone's view.
Some of my shots used the crowd and carnival rides for scale. For others I shot straight into the blackness. The results reminded me of pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope. Well, loosely.
The formula for shooting fireworks isn't complicated. I found it on the Web years ago. Sturdy tripod. (Don't even think about handheld.) Cable shutter release. 100 ISO, f 11, bulb mode. Open the shutter when you think the explosion is about to pop and close it as the brightness starts to fade (this can be a few seconds but easier said than done). Don't leave the shutter open very long during the big finale or you'll get lots of blown out highlights. The technique worked for these.
Some of my shots used the crowd and carnival rides for scale. For others I shot straight into the blackness. The results reminded me of pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope. Well, loosely.
The formula for shooting fireworks isn't complicated. I found it on the Web years ago. Sturdy tripod. (Don't even think about handheld.) Cable shutter release. 100 ISO, f 11, bulb mode. Open the shutter when you think the explosion is about to pop and close it as the brightness starts to fade (this can be a few seconds but easier said than done). Don't leave the shutter open very long during the big finale or you'll get lots of blown out highlights. The technique worked for these.
You got some really good fireworks shots. When I was working there back in the 90's, I would stand on the roof of the Mansion House to watch the fireworks over the arch. It was a superb location for viewing the show.
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question, I use Corel Paint Shop Pro and one of the effects it has is Kaleidoscope. I love it.
Lights in the sky - so pretty!
ReplyDeleteFireworks are tough to do a good job with -- nice!
ReplyDeleteBob, you have that technique down. Great job!
ReplyDeleteFab fireworks Bob, I'm coming back to reread this when I'm next taking any fireworks shots :)
ReplyDeleteBOOM!
ReplyDeleteNumbers 2 and 5 are my favourites and never in a million years will I master that technique...
ReplyDeleteSo that's how it's done!
ReplyDeleteMine didn't turn out... Beautiful shots!
You got them again this year. I will be away next Saturday when the Hartford fireworks are held, so I will have to try again in 2015.
ReplyDeleteBTW, well-made papier mache is said to be more stable and permanent than wood would be. That is why the good Russian boxes are made from it.
I have looked at both posts and again wish we had been together so I could learn from you. I stayed on the sofa as my fireworks photos stink. YOURS do not.
ReplyDeleteV
I have looked at both posts and again wish we had been together so I could learn from you. I stayed on the sofa as my fireworks photos stink. YOURS do not.
ReplyDeleteV
I have looked at both posts and again wish we had been together so I could learn from you. I stayed on the sofa as my fireworks photos stink. YOURS do not.
ReplyDeleteV
Ditto to Virginia!!! Great shots!!!
ReplyDelete