First go at fireworks

First go at fireworks · Posted by Mechan1k, 01-29-2008, 06:44 PM

Only taken with the 18-55mm kit lens (the widest lens I have so far)
Taken in the in-laws paddock across from the park that the festivities were held (great vantage point).

There was a slight breeze (as you can see by the blurred smoke though).

My first go at playing with Bulb Mode ... the first few were crap ... but got used to it (I forgot to turn NR off though ... so the wait was a little frustrating at times).

Here's just a few of them:

All taken at f/8 : ISO100 : 18mm : manual focus @ infinity (no PP ... straight conversion from RAW to JPEG)

**Peter Zack** · 01-29-2008, 06:58 PM

I like them. Better than my first couple of attempts. I think you did well here. I edited my post after taking a closer look a second time. Only the last one could use a little extra saturation. The rest are just fine as they are.

*Sailor* · 01-29-2008, 07:12 PM

Geeze, they look perfect to me - #1 and 3 are especially good in my view.

Jer

*Mallee Boy* · 01-29-2008, 07:36 PM

Nothing wrong with those Simon, for a self confessed experiment you have done well.
Have you tried cropping them a lot tighter?, and as suggested you could play around with the saturation, you might be really surprised at what you come up with.
Congratulations.
Cheers
Grant

Mechan1k · 01-29-2008, 08:38 PM

Thanks all ... I haven't had a chance to PP them ... or crop them.
MS Paint allows you to do bugger all really. And that's the only tool I have here and that's to resize the images only before uploading really.

All that was done is batch convert them to JPEG from PEF using the Pentax software. I just needed them in JPEG so i could chuck them on a USB drive and bring them to work to upload (slow internet at home ... and no time to use the PC at home)

If I had more time at home I would definitely have cropped the sides out ... and plays around with the saturation a little to bring these up more.

I must thank the information posted on here when it came to hints on fireworks ... it worked a charm .. and I must admit I am impressed with the kit lens and how well it performed.

LindaD · 01-29-2008, 10:13 PM

Simon, I like images 1 & 4, not bad for a kit lens. Linda Search photos: by: Linda Dalton

*daacon* · 01-30-2008, 04:59 AM

I would be happy to have takne shot those ! Still wating for my first fireworks attempt. Well done and it looks like you did indeed have a great vantage point.

vievetrick · 01-30-2008, 06:28 AM

Great job I think for first try.

dvdman45 · 01-30-2008, 06:53 AM

Very Nice...I can feel the excitement and that's what's its about for me!
Well Done.....
Must say #4 speaks to me...."no I'm not hearing voices!"

dvdman45 · 01-30-2008, 07:06 AM

Bit off topic but how do you get the Pentax K10D logo on each of your replies?

Bill

Mechan1k · 02-01-2008, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by dvdman45

Bit off topic but how do you get the Pentax K10D logo on each of your replies?

Bill

Right click on the image ... it'll be a .gif file from memory ... and then put that URL between [img] ... [/img] tags.

But put it in the Signature section (within your User CP)

Mechan1k · 02-01-2008, 04:18 PM

Thanks everyone ... next time if i get the opportunity ... I'd like to try and get some of the harbour fireworks ... but getting into the city at night for New Years Eve is a mission and a half (no parking ... over crowded/crippled public transport system) ... it's way too much effort ... you need to camp out to get a good vantage point ... and then there's millions of people in the way.