Shooting fireworks

By Rex Dolby

At this writing, fireworks are a bit iffy due to the dry conditions, but if they are launched over a lake or river, they may still go off as scheduled.  In any event, here are some tips that may result in some impressive pictures.

If possible, locate the area where the fireworks will be launched.  If you can, determine the wind direction, so you can position yourself at 90 degrees to it. This will allow the wind to quickly carry the smoke away to provide a clearer sky. Note any interesting things such as flags, monuments, statues, buildings or trees that might add some interest to the bursts from your shooting location. Consider also the number of people that may assemble later around your location.

Arrive early enough that you can stake out your area in such a manner that latecomers can’t set up in front and block your view. Use the extra time to make sure your tripod’s center post is as vertical as possible, and the legs positioned so you can easily be seated close to your camera to make adjustments. Bring a flashlight if changes are needed later and extra batteries for both the camera and flashlight. Make sure that you have extra film or memory on your card.  It will take a lot of tries to get a few good ones.

Check your camera’s settings. It will be easier to track the rockets using the LCD screen, but if that is not an option, track the trail of sparks with both eyes open-one in the viewfinder and the other beside the camera. Use a cable release to reduce camera movement. If this is not an option, place your thumb under the camera and use your finger on the shutter button to form a C shape. Make the C smaller to trip the shutter.

Set your ISO on 100 or 200 to reduce digital noise. Use manual camera settings because the dark sky will throw the brightness of the fireworks off. Set the aperture opening about f 8 with 100 and f 11 with 200, but a stop above and below that can be tried. The shutter speed should be set on bulb so you can catch more than one burst in the picture. Take a cereal box and cut a light-blocker to cover the lens between bursts. Paint the camera side flat black. If the bulb setting is not an option, use a slow shutter speed and make sure you have plenty of memory for the end of the show during the finale. The focus should be set on infinity. A zoom lens will provide some flexibility in filling the frame. A wide angle setting will produce a small image in the frame. Move up to 80 mm and above to get the results you want to see.

Have a safe 4th of July and good shooting!

The next Wassenberg Camera Club meeting was set for this Thursday at 7 p.m. Please call prior to assure that we are able to be open. The Wassenberg Art Center’s hours during exhibits are: Tuesday through Sunday 1–5 p.m. and you may contact the art center at 419.238.6837, by email: info@wassenbergartcenter. org or via our website at: wassenbergartcenter.org. During the storm recovery you may reach us at: 419.572.9942. The Wassenberg Art Center is located at 643 South Washington Street in Van Wert.

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