Recently we went to the WEBN fireworks and between 3 cameras none of us was able to get a good picture with our digital camera's. All cameras are kodak and 6 plus mp. Anyone have any suggestions? We used the fireworks setting and still was not able to get a good picture.
2007-09-07 06:41:57 · 5 answers · asked by lisakhart1 1 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Cameras
Pocket digital cameras aren't that good for fireworks photography. I found them frustrating at best. Get a good DSLR and mount it on a tripod. Set your aperture as small as it goes, focus to manual focus, set for infinity. Set your shutter speed to bulb, and hold the shutter button for as long as the bursts last. That should get you several good ones.
2007-09-07 07:20:54 · answer #1 · answered by Terisu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have got a Kodak C340 digital camera -not new but sufficient for what I need it for. It has a setting on it for Fireworks specifically so you don't need to guess by the brightness level of them. It is really awesome.It also has a setting for snow.I have found though that if you do not have a tripod to keep the camera still during those shots,they are really fuzzy. Get a good tripod that is heavy and can hold a lightweight camera without being blown over by the wind.Plus your tripod needs to able to face your camera upward toward the sky so make sure it has that capability, some really do not. My first one was a cheap lightweight piece of crap. You get what you pay for...
There is something to be said for timing too.Our camera has a 2 second delay from the time the button is pushed to take the shot and it actually being captured. So we count how many seconds from the time we hear the boom of the fireworks being lit, to the time it explodes in the sky, and time our picture taking accordingly using a tripod.
Hope this helps.
2007-09-07 14:15:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) You have to use Manual Mode and set the shutter speed to "T" or "B" unless you can set the shutter to the times listed below.
2) You will need a tripod and a mechanical cable release to hold the shutter open. If you can set your shutter to the times listed you can use the camera's self-timer instead of a cable release.
3) Focus will be at infinity. You will get better image quality at apertures between f5.6 and f11 and at ISO 200.
Here is what my FotoSharp (fotosharp.com) "Day & Night Exposure Guide" has to say for fireworks:
At ISO 200
f2.8 @ 1/2 sec.
f4 @ 1 sec.
f5.6 @ 2 sec.
f8 @ 4 sec.
f11 @ 8 sec.
At ISO 400
f2.8 @ 1/4 sec.
f4 @ 1/2 sec.
f5.6 @ 1 sec.
f8 @ 2 sec.
f11 @ 4 sec.
At ISO 800
f2.8 @ 1/8 sec.
f4 @ 1/4 sec.
f5.6 @ 1/2 sec.
f8 @ 1 sec.
f11 @ 2 sec.
2007-09-08 06:05:12 · answer #3 · answered by EDWIN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to use a tripod and disable the flash, otherwise you will get an improperly exposed or blurry picture. You can buy a small inexpensive tripod for under $20. When you see the shell going up release the shutter. Try not to touch or shake the camera.
2007-09-07 14:03:01 · answer #4 · answered by Noah M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most camera user manuals (did you read yours?) indicate that, for firework settings -and for the situation itself-, a tripod is a must-be, because the camera is going to need a very slow shutter speed, and trying to handhold the camera in that case almost surely guarantees a blurry picture worth nothing.
If you can't use a tripod, use whatever will allow you to be *VERY* steady while taking the picture.
2007-09-07 13:50:23 · answer #5 · answered by Landaree 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋