Shooting fireworks with K3

**csa** · 06-28-2016, 02:12 PM

Fred, thanks! Really nice images!

**csa** · 06-28-2016, 02:12 PM

Paul, no problem with position; as I'll be shooting from my deck with a clear view of the fireworks.

**csa** · 06-28-2016, 02:15 PM

Voice, nice shots!

Question, you tape the focus ring because you might accidentally move it during shooting? I might have to tweak the focus a bit while shooting.

**csa** · 06-28-2016, 02:17 PM

Matt, all I can say is Awesome shots!! Sadly, here they wait until it's pitch dark, around 11pm before setting them off, so I won't be able to get the mountains in the background.

**eyrr** · 06-28-2016, 03:04 PM

I came here to consult the Pentaxian hivemind re: photographing fireworks with my new K-50 and found this thread already in progress.

I love fireworks but usually can't go because they're always late on a work night. This year Canada Day is a Friday and I'm looking forward to fireworks over Lake Ontario.... with my new camera

. Very helpful advice so far. One more question: viewfinder or live view?

**mattb123** · 06-28-2016, 03:06 PM

Originally posted by bm75

Beautifull work Mattb123. I like the approach of "ambiented fireworks" ; the first and second image are wonderfull. well done!

Thanks! It's usually a short window so you have to be ready!

---------- Post added 06-28-16 at 04:07 PM ----------

Originally posted by eyrr

I came here to consult the Pentaxian hivemind re: photographing fireworks with my new K-50 and found this thread already in progress.

I love fireworks but usually can't go because they're always late on a work night. This year Canada Day is a Friday and I'm looking forward to fireworks over Lake Ontario.... with my new camera

. Very helpful advice so far. One more question: viewfinder or live view?

I prefer the viewfinder.

---------- Post added 06-28-16 at 04:08 PM ----------

Originally posted by csa

Matt, all I can say is Awesome shots!! Sadly, here they wait until it's pitch dark, around 11pm before setting them off, so I won't be able to get the mountains in the background.

Thanks! Well the rest of the info might be useful. Good luck!

**csa** · 06-28-2016, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by mattb123

Thanks! Well the rest of the info might be useful. Good luck!

Matt, indeed it is!! Thanks again!

mikeSF · 06-28-2016, 03:20 PM - **1 Like**

wear a hat...if you are downwind, those burning embers can land in your hair.

here are some of mine:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/albums/72157662476749130

**csa** · 06-28-2016, 05:30 PM

Mike, those are stunning!

I won't be that close to the fireworks, but that's a good tip for those that might be close. I'm more concerned with a fire starting, as it's extremely dry here.

mikeSF · 06-28-2016, 05:36 PM

Originally posted by csa

Mike, those are stunning!

I won't be that close to the fireworks, but that's a good tip for those that might be close. I'm more concerned with a fire starting, as it's extremely dry here.

i was in a big public event in a large field next to a stadium where they were shooing the fireworks and several small fires started during the show. people were jumping in to stamp them out or pour liquids on them. madness.

---------- Post added 06-28-2016 at 05:37 PM ----------

klh & mattb, jholy cow, guys! nice work

VoiceOfReason · 06-28-2016, 05:54 PM

Originally posted by csa

Voice, nice shots!

Question, you tape the focus ring because you might accidentally move it during shooting? I might have to tweak the focus a bit while shooting.

Yep, I am a huge fan of pre-focusing.

**jbinpg** · 06-28-2016, 06:13 PM

I read somewhere here that the Bright setting of composite mode works a treat for fireworks. It avoids the overly burned out look of leaving the shutter open too long or when stacking exposures. I will be trying it this year.

**csa** · 06-28-2016, 06:27 PM

Originally posted by mikeSF

i was in a big public event in a large field next to a stadium where they were shooing the fireworks and several small fires started during the show. people were jumping in to stamp them out or pour liquids on them. madness.

---------- Post added 06-28-2016 at 05:37 PM ----------

klh & mattb, jholy cow, guys! nice work

Where I live, the volunteer fire department is at least 30 minutes away, and lots of dry grass, trees, etc. to burn if a fire starts; it would end up as a wildfire if it got away from those with the fireworks.

mikeSF · 06-28-2016, 09:06 PM

Originally posted by dcshooter

@Mike: Based on the varied locations, I'm guessing these were taken on several different occasions? How'd you get the ones looking down onto the Ferry Building? Were you up in one of the tall buildings in the Financial District? Telephoto from Coit Tower?

yes, from a co-worker's apartment balcony. that was lucky.

Unregistered User 8 · 06-28-2016, 10:24 PM

Enjoy the show Carol. I found this in my collection of tips, and hope it is of a little help to you.

Fireworks Photography Tips | Event Photography Tips

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Shooting over 30 seconds with the K3 - what settings do you use ?	jpzk	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	17	04-24-2016 06:56 AM
K3 fireworks jaggieness?	dasPaul	General Photography	4	01-03-2016 01:43 PM
Shooting Fireworks Sans Tripod	jaieger	Photographic Technique	11	08-01-2010 05:55 PM
Any tips for shooting fireworks?	TOUGEFC	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	7	11-13-2009 11:40 PM
First attempt at shooting fireworks.	Pentaxnut	Post Your Photos!	5	07-06-2008 03:14 PM

06-28-2016, 02:12 PM	#16
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Fred, thanks! Really nice images!

06-28-2016, 02:12 PM	#17
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Paul, no problem with position; as I'll be shooting from my deck with a clear view of the fireworks.

06-28-2016, 02:15 PM	#18
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Voice, nice shots! Question, you tape the focus ring because you might accidentally move it during shooting? I might have to tweak the focus a bit while shooting.

06-28-2016, 02:17 PM	#19
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Matt, all I can say is Awesome shots!! Sadly, here they wait until it's pitch dark, around 11pm before setting them off, so I won't be able to get the mountains in the background.

06-28-2016, 03:04 PM	#20
eyrr Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery Posts: 318	I came here to consult the Pentaxian hivemind re: photographing fireworks with my new K-50 and found this thread already in progress. I love fireworks but usually can't go because they're always late on a work night. This year Canada Day is a Friday and I'm looking forward to fireworks over Lake Ontario.... with my new camera . Very helpful advice so far. One more question: viewfinder or live view?

06-28-2016, 03:06 PM	#21
mattb123 Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Colorado High Country Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,872	Originally posted by bm75 Beautifull work Mattb123. I like the approach of "ambiented fireworks" ; the first and second image are wonderfull. well done! Thanks! It's usually a short window so you have to be ready! ---------- Post added 06-28-16 at 04:07 PM ---------- Originally posted by eyrr I came here to consult the Pentaxian hivemind re: photographing fireworks with my new K-50 and found this thread already in progress. I love fireworks but usually can't go because they're always late on a work night. This year Canada Day is a Friday and I'm looking forward to fireworks over Lake Ontario.... with my new camera . Very helpful advice so far. One more question: viewfinder or live view? I prefer the viewfinder. ---------- Post added 06-28-16 at 04:08 PM ---------- Originally posted by csa Matt, all I can say is Awesome shots!! Sadly, here they wait until it's pitch dark, around 11pm before setting them off, so I won't be able to get the mountains in the background. Thanks! Well the rest of the info might be useful. Good luck!

06-28-2016, 03:10 PM	#22
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by mattb123 Thanks! Well the rest of the info might be useful. Good luck! Matt, indeed it is!! Thanks again!

06-28-2016, 03:20 PM - 1 Like	#23
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	wear a hat...if you are downwind, those burning embers can land in your hair. here are some of mine: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mikeoria/albums/72157662476749130

06-28-2016, 05:30 PM	#24
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Mike, those are stunning! I won't be that close to the fireworks, but that's a good tip for those that might be close. I'm more concerned with a fire starting, as it's extremely dry here.

06-28-2016, 05:36 PM	#25
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by csa Mike, those are stunning! I won't be that close to the fireworks, but that's a good tip for those that might be close. I'm more concerned with a fire starting, as it's extremely dry here. i was in a big public event in a large field next to a stadium where they were shooing the fireworks and several small fires started during the show. people were jumping in to stamp them out or pour liquids on them. madness. ---------- Post added 06-28-2016 at 05:37 PM ---------- klh & mattb, jholy cow, guys! nice work

06-28-2016, 05:54 PM	#26
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	Originally posted by csa Voice, nice shots! Question, you tape the focus ring because you might accidentally move it during shooting? I might have to tweak the focus a bit while shooting. Yep, I am a huge fan of pre-focusing.

06-28-2016, 06:13 PM	#27
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	I read somewhere here that the Bright setting of composite mode works a treat for fireworks. It avoids the overly burned out look of leaving the shutter open too long or when stacking exposures. I will be trying it this year.

06-28-2016, 06:27 PM	#28
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133 Original Poster	Originally posted by mikeSF i was in a big public event in a large field next to a stadium where they were shooing the fireworks and several small fires started during the show. people were jumping in to stamp them out or pour liquids on them. madness. ---------- Post added 06-28-2016 at 05:37 PM ---------- klh & mattb, jholy cow, guys! nice work Where I live, the volunteer fire department is at least 30 minutes away, and lots of dry grass, trees, etc. to burn if a fire starts; it would end up as a wildfire if it got away from those with the fireworks.

06-28-2016, 09:06 PM	#29
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,620	Originally posted by dcshooter @Mike: Based on the varied locations, I'm guessing these were taken on several different occasions? How'd you get the ones looking down onto the Ferry Building? Were you up in one of the tall buildings in the Financial District? Telephoto from Coit Tower? yes, from a co-worker's apartment balcony. that was lucky.

06-28-2016, 10:24 PM	#30
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Enjoy the show Carol. I found this in my collection of tips, and hope it is of a little help to you. Fireworks Photography Tips \| Event Photography Tips