What NOT to do!!

[Plumcrak]

Well the July 4th weekend was nothing but spectacular, except for my beer driven attempt to capture the fireworks

We were at the lake where the fireworks are launched from the damn end and we all motor out in the boats, drop anchor and enjoy. Not thinking clearly I thought I would try some 2+ second shots, handheld while on a pontoon swaying on the water. NOT one of my best decisions.

Out of a couple hundred shots I got a couple interesting ones, not really good but interesting affects.

C&C always welcomed although I know the major things I did wrong

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[Mike Buckley]

Now that camera sensors have such improved high-ISO quality, the next time you're in that situation try stopping the action with a fast shutter speed. Either that or take a 2-second shot of your beer can to convey both the influence you were under and that which influenced you.

[Plumcrak]

Mike, that would mean I would have to be fast on the trigger, something that I am not good at under normal times

[Shadowman]

Some very interesting formations. I had a monopod and still had a chore of it.

[rtbaum]

Just tell me it wasn't Budweiser

[Geoff F]

Next time, Jon, try this idea which has worked for me when photographing fireworks from a moored and fairly stable boat.

Set you shutter speed to something which you can hold. This will be your default position. Say 1/40 (using Shutter Priority Mode) if shooting with camera stabilisation, otherwise a little faster.

Choose a suitable Iso which will be higher than what is ideal. Say 400 to 800.

Take a test shot of the shore lights then readjust as needed. You can also use manual settings to place the lens aperture at just under wide open and have variable Iso.

You won't get those very low speed feathery shots but what you do achieve will look more like real life fireworks.

Another tip that I use is to make sure that you have some 'background shots' amongst your images. Then you take some of the sky shots, put a selection around the interesting areas and copy/paste the selected area onto the background layer. Several individual fireworks can be added to make an interesting compilation. But you may need to vary the Blend Modes so the different shades of sky merge together without any obvious joins.

[Plumcrak]

Just tell me it wasn't Budweiser

Not to worry Randy, it was a Robert the Bruce (by Three Floyds Brewery) kinda night.

[Plumcrak]

Next time, Jon, try this idea which has worked for me when photographing fireworks from a moored and fairly stable boat.

Set you shutter speed to something which you can hold. This will be your default position. Say 1/40 (using Shutter Priority Mode) if shooting with camera stabilisation, otherwise a little faster.

Choose a suitable Iso which will be higher than what is ideal. Say 400 to 800.

Take a test shot of the shore lights then readjust as needed. You can also use manual settings to place the lens aperture at just under wide open and have variable Iso.

You won't get those very low speed feathery shots but what you do achieve will look more like real life fireworks.

Another tip that I use is to make sure that you have some 'background shots' amongst your images. Then you take some of the sky shots, put a selection around the interesting areas and copy/paste the selected area onto the background layer. Several individual fireworks can be added to make an interesting compilation. But you may need to vary the Blend Modes so the different shades of sky merge together without any obvious joins.

Thanks Geoff, I will try that next time...if I remember

[Plumcrak]

Some very interesting formations. I had a monopod and still had a chore of it.

Thanks John. A mono might have helped if I could have kept everybody seated and not moving around every 7 seconds.

[NorthernFocus]

There are a couple of interesting ones in there. As long as you enjoyed the beer and company it was a worthwhile evening. In such a case a photo or two is gravy

[Plumcrak]

There are a couple of interesting ones in there. As long as you enjoyed the beer and company it was a worthwhile evening. In such a case a photo or two is gravy

Thanks Dan, it was definitely a worthwhile evening.

[Geoff F]

What I have done before, using a monopod on a boat, Jon, is to set it to a length which will rest wedged on my trouser belt. I have found that to be easier than putting it on the deck because to some extent I am overcoming any boat motion by trying to stand upright.

[Dave Humphries]

I think a lack of focus might have contributed also.

Perhaps focus on a shore (dam) light (at same distance) and switch to manual next time?

[chauncey]

None of us has taken this journey without encountering a few potholes of our own creation.