Shooting Fireworks

[olispear]

What is the best way to take photographs of fireworks, if i use 'BULB' setting on my camera would that catch the firworks. I ask this coz there is a firework championships coming up this month and i want to get some good shots. cheers then

[bigbob]

In June last year i tried something a bit differant when photographing fireworks as i didn't want the run of the mill burst of colour and just another pretty Patten, so i hand held and used the garden fence for support camera f4.5 shutter anything from 1 second to 3 seconds this gave me the effect i was looking for. you will find the shots under big Sky's June last year. My advice would be to go your own way and try something new  good luck look forward to seeing the results

[Tim N]

Good advice Bob, I have done a few different things with fireworks, some handheld longer shutter speed shots can look quite good, the firework trails kind of go wobbly and have a really different feel.
otherwise just use a really steady tripod, use a fairly wide lens, pref a zoom, I usually use my 28 - 105mm lens if I am close to the action. Get into position before the massive crowds otherwise you wont get a decent spot. Use a fairly narrow aperture, f5.6 or so for the wider DoF. Use either bulb or a 10 - 15sec (or longer if you want) exposure. Try and get the EARLY fireworks at the start of the display otherwise the smoke will start to affect your photos.
I am sure Odille and Ross + Cher and the others can put in some other suggestions as well.

[Analog6]

I generally use a release cord that I can hold down.  Once 2-3 bursts have 'gone off' then release the cord and get ready for a new exposure.  I do have some on here but they are in my Analog6 gallery and I know there was a problem with other people seeing it, not sure if that got fixed.

Anyway it is here: http://www.lightartforum.com/index.php?action=gallery;su=user;cat=11;u=19

[Ross and Cher]

From our efforts - tripod, F8, bulb mode and a remote shutter release. Vary your time - get some with single bursts some with multiple bursts. Don't get too close or the smoke will get you. Try and include a point of reference eg a lights/building/crowd but remember if it involves lights, meter for that so you don't overexpose. Oh and have fun. Try playing a bit eg zooming your lens slowly in or out. And maybe a quick google search as there are other weird and wacky things to be done... 

[olispear]

Thanks guy for all the tips, i will take it on board and try my best, its always good to try something new

[Analog6]

Oli, here is a nice one on the 500 site http://500px.com/photo/1453482