Last year a number of communities decided to combine their small fireworks shows into a bigger display. We didn't go last year, this was our first. I got as close as spectators were allowed and I used my 35-105 mm lens and was happy with how much I could fill the frame with it. If any one would like to try the settings I used tonight this is what they were:
Set camera to manual.
ISO 100
Aperture f/8
Shutter speed 2 sec
A larger aperture will make the lines of the fireworks wider such as f/4.5 or f/5.6
Use a tripod and remote shutter or cable release. If you don't have these you can use the timer.
Experiment with the time the shutter is open between 2-6 seconds. Or if your camera has a B bulb setting leave the shutter open as long as you want allowing for shell upon shell exposures.
I have also read suggestions that you turn off, long exposure noise reduction if your camera has that setting and turn off anti vibration on your lens if it has it.
I love firework shots! I have often set mine to auto sports setting (oh the sacrilege of using auto on here!) Mostly mine are against a very black cold Winter sky on our 5th November Guy Fawkes Night. Hope you and yours are having a great day of celebrations.
What a super shot, Skip - my settings and lens were pretty similar to yours - just left it open a little longer. Love the color mix you got in this one. Fav
@maggiemae - That is great. When I bought my first dSLR I used auto or (P)rogram a lot. I came to a point when I felt it was time to learn how aperture, shutter speed and ISO work together.
