I'm curious... do you get those types of photos with a regular camera when you keep the shutter open long enough? Or is there some HDR magic at work? Does anyone know?
No you can get them with a god DSLR and a little big of work and preparation. What you have to do is get a tripod or like a hoodie or some andbags, something to put the camera on where it is not going to move. Then you set the camera to manual, you have your ISO at like 800 or something, if it is any higher you get grainy photos. Then you set your Fstop - which is how open the iris in the lens is, to the lowest setting, like a 5 or something. That makes the iris open very wide.
What you do next is you set up the camera for like 20 or 30 second exposures. You can set your camera to timer so you can push the shutter button and then leave it alone so you're not making the camera move. What you get now is the fireworks "painting light" onto your photo. If you observe fireworks you'll notice that they don't appear as they do in photos, they don't leave a trail in real life, but they do in photos. Sometimes they are shot off one at a time, with this method the photos show like three or four at a time on film.
Thanks! Unfortunately, I just have a Canon SD-780, which is not exactly DSLR quality, but I can change ISO, Fstop and shutter speed (to 15 sec max), and I have a tripod. So I should be good to try it. It's a bummer that there's so few fireworks that the number of practice sessions for this is somewhat limited...
@strfx: A good way to practice is in a darked room, like a closet or in a shed or a garage, where there is some light coming out from under a door or something. You'd be surprised what you'll get.
It is usually the biggest display in the USA every year, and the biggest done by the famous Zambelli family. http://www.zambellifireworks.com/
"The annual show is larger than the opening and closing ceremonies of the Atlanta and Barcelona Olympics combined. According to the Zambelli's it is unchallenged as the largest annual pyrotechnic production in North America. "
I'd like to see the list of canceled fireworks displays this year. All government budgets are very tight now it seems and I imagine this year might see the fewest municipal displays yet. Event the ones that do have fireworks, will likely do what my town did last year, shoot off about 25% of what they normally do, and call it good.
thejetpackerJul 1, 2010
These are amazing! How is it July already?!
52poaJul 2, 2010
in British Columbia, Canada, on Canada Day, The last firework was awseome! Its sayed, "Happy Canada" in the sky!
the3rdlegionJul 2, 2010
Ah yes, fireworks. Even more enjoyable when one is high.
strfxJul 2, 2010
I'm curious... do you get those types of photos with a regular camera when you keep the shutter open long enough? Or is there some HDR magic at work? Does anyone know?
smokeydabearJul 2, 2010
No you can get them with a god DSLR and a little big of work and preparation. What you have to do is get a tripod or like a hoodie or some andbags, something to put the camera on where it is not going to move. Then you set the camera to manual, you have your ISO at like 800 or something, if it is any higher you get grainy photos. Then you set your Fstop - which is how open the iris in the lens is, to the lowest setting, like a 5 or something. That makes the iris open very wide.
What you do next is you set up the camera for like 20 or 30 second exposures. You can set your camera to timer so you can push the shutter button and then leave it alone so you're not making the camera move. What you get now is the fireworks "painting light" onto your photo. If you observe fireworks you'll notice that they don't appear as they do in photos, they don't leave a trail in real life, but they do in photos. Sometimes they are shot off one at a time, with this method the photos show like three or four at a time on film.
strfxJul 2, 2010
Thanks! Unfortunately, I just have a Canon SD-780, which is not exactly DSLR quality, but I can change ISO, Fstop and shutter speed (to 15 sec max), and I have a tripod. So I should be good to try it. It's a bummer that there's so few fireworks that the number of practice sessions for this is somewhat limited...
sirmasterboyJul 2, 2010
Yeah, you can definitely do this with a point and shoot as long as you can set those settings you will be good.
smokeydabearJul 2, 2010
@strfx: A good way to practice is in a darked room, like a closet or in a shed or a garage, where there is some light coming out from under a door or something. You'd be surprised what you'll get.
skyplatoonJul 2, 2010
where do i buy a god DSLR? I kid, i kid. Nice info.
charlesdkraussJul 2, 2010
Some pretty decent fire works in the gulf right now too.
spoodaJul 2, 2010
Better than what I will be putting on in my driveway Sunday night...
asus3000Jul 2, 2010
I didn't know the rest of the world has a 4th of July.
/laughter ensues
Closed AccountJul 2, 2010
We have 4th of July's yearly but they're just like any other day.
Closed AccountJul 2, 2010
I like the smell of the firework smoke.
nixfuJul 2, 2010
WHAT!??
No "Thunder over Louisville" on the list? http://www.thunderoverlouisville.org/the-fireworks.html
It is usually the biggest display in the USA every year, and the biggest done by the famous Zambelli family. http://www.zambellifireworks.com/
"The annual show is larger than the opening and closing ceremonies of the Atlanta and Barcelona Olympics combined. According to the Zambelli's it is unchallenged as the largest annual pyrotechnic production in North America. "
nixfuJul 2, 2010
Cool Video of Thunder Over Louisville:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4BTm161oxI
It also holds the Guinness World Record for largest fireworks display.
versatilierJul 2, 2010
all have long exposure, the shows dont actually look like that
realcoolguy9022Jul 2, 2010
I'd like to see the list of canceled fireworks displays this year. All government budgets are very tight now it seems and I imagine this year might see the fewest municipal displays yet. Event the ones that do have fireworks, will likely do what my town did last year, shoot off about 25% of what they normally do, and call it good.
joehovaJul 2, 2010
I wasn't aware they celebrated the fourth of july around the world. Maybe they're just fireworks for the hell of it?
mavenshadeJul 2, 2010
How is it no one mentioned the fireworks at Fetes de Geneve? It's one of the best annual fireworks performances in the world.
http://www.vimeo.com/5446892
lobothemainmanJul 2, 2010
I like the NYC firework better:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/drneko/sets/72157624282932531/
sirmasterboyJul 2, 2010
This is where I will be tomorrow:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhythm_and_Booms
It's nice to live so close to such a nice annual fireworks display.
It's a great show lasting 35 minutes and over 15000 shells.
engahissaisJul 2, 2010
Theese are awwwwesome
fancyxJul 2, 2010
Taipei 101 fireworks:
http://imgur.com/7kaIQ.jpg
ingenuseJul 3, 2010
Some of those for for Canada's day...
Not trying to hate but almost all of those were not 'in honor of july 4th'.