Best way to photograph fireworks with no tripod?

10 years 11 months ago #281877 by Chris Ly
What is the best way to take photos of fireworks with no tripod? We always on water during 4th of July, which your free holding what camera you have. My photos have never come out good. This year going to have my T4i for the first time so hoping I can get better photos.

Thanks for the help


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10 years 11 months ago #281888 by garyrhook
There are lots of tutorials on photographing fireworks on the web; google for them. I believe most of them involve long shutter speeds, however, which is not going to work on a boat. Even high ISO won't help if you have to leave the shutter open for a while.


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10 years 11 months ago #281946 by Baydream
I have used other supports (like a fence post or similar object) to steady the camera and get longer shots.

Shoot, learn and share. It will make you a better photographer.
fineartamerica.com/profiles/john-g-schickler.html?tab=artwork

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10 years 10 months ago #282332 by Chris Ly

garyrhook wrote: There are lots of tutorials on photographing fireworks on the web; google for them. I believe most of them involve long shutter speeds, however, which is not going to work on a boat. Even high ISO won't help if you have to leave the shutter open for a while.


This is correct, but I couldn't find a clear answer for when you are on a boat and getting good shots. Which is why I posted the question here. I'm guessing it's not very possible if your on a boat that is rocking around?


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10 years 10 months ago #282813 by Ian Stone
If your shooting on a boat, wouldn't the only solution be higher ISO and wide aperture?


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10 years 10 months ago #282865 by garyrhook

Chris Ly wrote:

garyrhook wrote: There are lots of tutorials on photographing fireworks on the web; google for them. I believe most of them involve long shutter speeds, however, which is not going to work on a boat. Even high ISO won't help if you have to leave the shutter open for a while.


This is correct, but I couldn't find a clear answer for when you are on a boat and getting good shots. Which is why I posted the question here. I'm guessing it's not very possible if your on a boat that is rocking around?


My apologies if my previous post was unclear.

Yes, that is exactly what I meant. If the requirements are a steady tripod and a long shutter time, then the conclusion is that it would be impossible to perform this activity on a boat (of any kind, as far as I'm concerned). Boats don't stay still, they move. You need your camera to be absolutely still to do what you want.


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10 years 10 months ago #282866 by garyrhook

Ian Stone wrote: If your shooting on a boat, wouldn't the only solution be higher ISO and wide aperture?


Again, shooting fireworks is about long shutter open times. Higher ISO and fast glass are required, yes, but there's a 3rd leg that you must consider in that triangle.


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10 years 10 months ago #282911 by Rob pix4u2
Gary gave advice that was spot on. You need the camera to be rock steady to get good fireworks pics.

I alwaays mount the camera on a tripod to have the best chance for success

Remember to engage brain before putting mouth in gear
Rob Huelsman Sr.
My Facebook www.facebook.com/ImaginACTIONPhotography

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10 years 10 months ago #282946 by Joves
Well the only solution would be one of those steady cam mounts that you wear on your person. Or you use a tripod with a ballhead running it loose, then you pick something that you keep your AF point on as a reference for framing, i.e such as a building, bridge, or land if the lens is wide enough. This though in my mind would ruin being there as it will take a lot of concentration to compensate for the rocking. Also it depends on the type of boat as well, a house, or pontoon boat is much more stable over a speed boat. And then there is the traffic on the water. But my first solution is most likely the only one with a remote chance of success. You might see if any of the rental places have one they rent.


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