12/13/2011

Taking Fireworks "How It Right All !

By Roy Barker


With the New Year just one or two days away , you have got the perfect chance to catch all those magical fireworks display on camera. But did you know the right way to make it work? Have you got the abilities to capture all those breathtaking moments on camera? While a lot of people aren't sure if they can do it right, you have to know that photographing fireworks is not as hard as most people think it is. It's actually quite easy "if you know the tricks!

Hence what do you need to do if you're meaning to image fireworks? These are some tips you may need to consider:

Bring the right equipment.

When shooting firework displays and night photography, it is always recommended to use a tripod. Since you'll be using longer shutter speeds to capture all those sharp photographs, you need to make sure that your camera remains as rock solid as it doubtless can. And relying on your hands to get the job done could be a extraordinarily challenging one, to say the least. Just how long do you really think you can keep your hands steady? It just can't work. Period. My counsel "get a tripod.

Another mandatory hardware that you need to bring along with you on location is a remote release device "whether or not it's a cable or an RC unit. This will help ensure that there will be no pointless shakes as you release the shutter.

And please remember to bring a torch with you. It's truly hard to fumble in the dark when you're attempting to adjust your camera settings, right?

Lastly, don't forget to pack in some spare batteries and memory cards. You will be shooting a lot of pictures so it's better to be prepared for any situations.

Get the best possible view.

To do this, you might need to go to the area at daytime so you can plan well ahead of time. Scout for areas that provide a clear view of the sight that is preparing to occur. Consider sites that satisfy the following criteria:

- Free from all possible obstructions such as buildings, trees, cables or other folk's heads. A high viewpoint like the top of a roof or a hill will be ideal for such purposes.
- Incorporates a famous historical landmark which will help augment your shots.
- Has an enormous area of water. The fireworks ' reflection in the water can add drama to your photographs!

Don't put yourself in smoke's way.

All fireworks produce smoke and this will get between you and that totally perfect shot you are aiming at. Therefore find out where the wind is blowing and pick a location that is not against it. This way, the smoke will not affect the standard of your photographs and you'll get sharper, more clear pictures.

Know the ideal settings.

To capture the best fireworks display photos, you may need to think about the following camera settings:

- Do not use your flash. It'll take the focus out of the bursts.
- Keep your ISO low (ideally at 100) to increase your possibilities of getting sharper images.
- If your camera has a fireworks mode, use it. If it does not, don't forget to keep your aperture at f/8 to f/16.
- Set your shutter speed between 1 to 15 seconds. But if you truly want to capture some extremely good photos, use the bulb mode.
- You may use the infinity focus or the manual focus mode. Different pros have different opinions on this one so go forward and see what's best for you.

Some more handy tips in snapping fireworks:

- Keep shooting. It's good to take a large amount of photographs to enhance your prospects of getting that perfect shot.
- Track your results from time to time. Check you are not shooting a batch of duds.
- Don't be afraid to experiment. Are you wanting to shoot from a wider viewpoint? Are you wanting to include silhouettes in the foreground? You can do these and more! Be at liberty to do whatsoever you want. Keep experimenting!

So , there you have it "the secrets to shooting perfect fireworks stills. Now, are you feeling confident that you can shoot some pretty good photos this New Year's eve? Go for it!




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