| Fireworks
displays present spectacular picture opportunities for photographers.
They also, however, present two photo challenges.
One, the high contrast between the bright lights and the dark background can "fool''
a camera's exposure meter, causing an over or underexposed picture. Two, the explosion in
the sky, with all its brilliance, only lasts an instant. Here are some tips that will
help:
Location. When you get to the
site, ask someone in charge where in the sky the action will take place. Then, select a
position that will give you a clear view of the fireworks. Keep in mind that the bursts
cover a large area. Therefore, you don't want to be near any obstruction branches,
buildings, and signs, for example.
Lenses. Wide-angle lenses (and
wide-angle settings on zoom lenses) in the 24 mm to 35 mm range are ideal for fireworks
photography because they have a relatively wide angle of view and will cover a wide area
of the sky.
Composition. Vary your
composition. After taking some pictures with the fireworks bursts in the center of the
frame, compose your pictures with the bursts off-centre.
Films. Most photographers
shooting fireworks use ISO 400 film because it is more sensitive to light than slower
film. This film will record the fireworks and the glow from the fireworks in the sky and
clouds.
Exposure. Due to the variation
in the light intensity from burst to burst, it's important to bracket your exposures
taking pictures at the recommended setting and one stop over and one stop under that
setting. A good starting exposure for bracketing is f/5.6 and a shutter speed of a few
seconds (with your camera set to B). From that starting point, take longer and shorter
exposures; leave your f-stop at f/5.6.
Camera supports.
Long exposures dictate a camera support; a tripod, beanbag or window clamp. Otherwise,
your pictures will be a mess of blurry lines and patterns in the sky. |
