With a little planning, photographing fireworks on the Fourth of July can result in pictures you can be proud to hang on the wall. Here are some tips for shooting fireworks from Observer photographers Todd Sumlin and Gary O'Brien:
Take some time to scout out the best location before dark. If you want to photograph the fireworks bursting over buildings, bridges or houses, find an unobstructed area with a broad view of the sky to set up your camera.
Avoid power lines, streetlights and tree limbs that could block your view, and stand away from the crowd so people don't stand in the way of your shots.
As you set up your shot, keep the horizon level and think about how high the big rockets will go. If you're close to the launching area, a vertical shot will help keep the bursts of color in the picture.
If you have them, use a tripod and a remote release to keep the camera steady during the exposure. If not, place the camera on something solid and use its self-timer to open the shutter.
If you are shooting with a point-and-shoot camera, keep the camera steady and use the night mode setting. Many of the newer point-and-shoots have a "fireworks mode" that automatically adjusts the exposure.
If your camera has manual settings, try using them. We usually shoot at a sensitivity of ISO 200 or lower and set the exposure to about 4 seconds with the lens set at f/11. Longer exposures will capture more bursts, but the lights of the city may brighten the sky. If the bursts appear washed out, set the lens at f/16.
Depending on streetlights and the overall glow of the city, the correct exposure is sometimes a guess. Use the screen on the back of your camera to check the exposure and adjust your settings.
A small flashlight or headlamp is very useful. A red filter will preserve your night vision. Take extra batteries, because long exposures will quickly drain a partially depleted battery.
For safety's sake, don't leave your tripod - people won't see it in the dark and may trip over it.
Finally, don't get so wrapped up in making a picture that you forget to enjoy the show!
没有评论:
发表评论