Over the weekend and on Monday 5th November the UK skies will be lit up by fireworks to celebrate Guy Fawkes night. For non UK readers interested in the origins of this celebration see Guy Fawkes Night.
Throughout the country there will be public firework displays as well as back garden celebrations with friends and family, both offer unique photo opportunities. Most of today's digital cameras, from compact to DSLR, have the capability, through "Scene" modes to take very acceptable photos of fireworks and other nighttime subjects,
When shooting those spectacular ariel explosions, a camera's "firework" scene mode will normally use a low ISO of around 80-100, long exposure usually 1second or more and an aperture a stop or two short of the lens being wide open. The logic behind these settings goes something like this. Low ISO for better colour, long exposure to catch the spark trails and mid aperture to improve lens performance. But this comes at a price, namey that the camera needs to be held still for the very best results. A tripod or firm support will make the world of difference to the end result. Personally, when shooting fireworks, which I have only done once in the past, I prefer not to hand hold the camera especially using the rear viewing screen. For me, this method its just too unstable to give sharp results. I prefer a tripod, wall, lamp-post or similar to brace against, using a viewfinder with the camera held firmly against my cheek. When using the rear screen, try resting your elbows on a wall, holding the camera against a post or pole etc, anything the can help prevent movement will improve the final pics. Oh, turn the flash OFF. Leaving it on will just run down the camera battery and have no effect on your pics.
One more tip, us a wide angle lens or keep zoomed out on a compact camera. Fireworks have a tendancy to occupy a wide expanse of sky.
Alternatively, turn the camera to video mode and shoot the action on video. A few years ago I captured a public firework display on an inexpensive Kodak Playsport video camera, which many decent compact cameras and DSLRs outperform today, here it is....
At the family back garden firework night party there are more photo opportunities than at public events. Its not just fireworks that make good night shots. People, bar-b-que, bonfire, sparklers, even, food can all create great subject matter for bonfire night. Turn on the flash for most of these. For some subjects try and use Night scene/Night sync mode. Many cameras have one. This will fire the flash and expose the main subject, the shutter will stay open longer than normal, exposing the background more so that the subject is not isolated on a black background. Experiment. Night photography can produce some memorable photos even in black and white.
On a final note, just remember that fireworks can be dangerous. Treat them with respect and follow the Firework Code.
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