Need HELP ASAP - new years FIREWORKS! Have 6 hours to prepare!!

[Goonerman]

Could someone please help me. All I have is the D90, and an 18-55mm kit lens, 55-200mm zoom, and 50mm 1.8

Also have a tripod, with panning/tilting capabilities


I've only used the dslr for video in the daytime. First time, I'm using it at night. Friend of mine got an amazing view of the city skyline in Poznan, Poland. Will be taking my equipment.





Please remind me of essentials for recording fireworks at night using the d90.

Unfortunately, I don't have the fastest lenses. I'm aware of the 'trick' to get the ISO low as possible...does the same rule apply when shooting fireworks? How do I get the cleanest possible look?

((~Basically looking for advice for shooting cleanest/sharpest video of fireworks at midnight, using the d90 - with equipment I've got))

50mm 1.8 may look okay @ f/1.8
Or should I just go for the 18mm, even though its not that sharp of a lens?

Don't want to change the lens around too much (if at all), because from what I hear, they put on quite a show in Poznan.







I know this is very last minute, but so were my plans, and I would really appreciate if I could get some help.


Happy New Years Everyone!

[Zim]

use a tripod.

[Goonerman]

use a tripod.

lol...thanks! simple advice, but so true. will be heading out in a few hours. anybody else lurking, or is everyone else already out?

happy new year Zim, and all other film makers.

i have to admit, film is a hobby...and will continue to learn throughout the next decade.

[bill totolo]

You don't need your fastest lenses, like sunsets, you want to under expose a little so you maintain the color and detail of the individual fireworks.

Here's a sample I shot over the summer with my HVX200:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=guTAr-DQpoM&feature=youtube_gdata

[n8ture]

Use a tripod for sure.
I don't have a DSLR that shoots video but I've shot lots of fireworks with my video camera.
I usually set the shutter to 1/60 and then dial down the aperture until I get a good exposure. If I can close the aperture a fair amount I crank up the shutter speed a stop or two and then open the aperture until I get a good exposure again.

You really need to play with the shutter speed/aperture to get the exposure right to bring out the colors in the fireworks. Overexpose and they all look washed out.

Here's some video I shot of some fireworks around my area. http://tinyurl.com/yccdxkg

[Goonerman]

hey guys, REALLY appreciate the links to the vids...about to check them out, and thanks for the advice.

with the d90, its all auto. i can choose the aperture, and that's about it, but the rest is automatic... shutter speed, and iso.

but there is a way to fool the sensor, so that i can get cleaner footage. i hate that high iso, low shutter combination...very ugly footage that way.

there is a way to fool the sensor, to record with aperture wide open, and lower iso.

the fireworks will be against a black sky, so i don't mind if the video is underexposed at all...as long as i can get the fireworks in. not sure if that makes sense? i'm basically going for a CLEAN video footage, so its essentially just fireworks against a black background.

not sure if this will work, and not entirely sure of the location, except he says its a a nice view... we'll see... will probably post the vid here to show you all how it comes out.. thanks a million! and happy new year once again :)

[Goonerman]

Use a tripod for sure.
I don't have a DSLR that shoots video but I've shot lots of fireworks with my video camera.
I usually set the shutter to 1/60 and then dial down the aperture until I get a good exposure. If I can close the aperture a fair amount I crank up the shutter speed a stop or two and then open the aperture until I get a good exposure again.

You really need to play with the shutter speed/aperture to get the exposure right to bring out the colors in the fireworks. Overexpose and they all look washed out.

Here's some video I shot of some fireworks around my area. http://tinyurl.com/yccdxkg

Something INCREDIBLY moving about the fireworks you shot. Simply fantastic, and quite unbelievable! I think the movie just adds the touch. Don't know what it was, but I was moved.

Brilliant stuff man! Look forward to see more of your stuff!

While watching it, I feel overwhelmed with the feeling of something, don't know what it is, but it just makes me feel good man. I think that's what makes it so incredible.

[n8ture]

Glad you liked it.

Can you use an exposure compensation dial on the Nikon? It's going to want to overexpose the image because of the darkness. If you can use the exposure compensation dial and start underexposing the exposure you may be able to get it down where you need it to be.

Glad you liked the video. Can't wait till they have more around here to film.

[Goonerman]

Glad you liked it.

Can you use an exposure compensation dial on the Nikon? It's going to want to overexpose the image because of the darkness. If you can use the exposure compensation dial and start underexposing the exposure you may be able to get it down where you need it to be.

Glad you liked the video. Can't wait till they have more around here to film.

yeah, i really enjoyed it, about to watch it one more time before i head off.

i took some practice video...some kids are outside shooting fireworks, and works like a charm! i'm able to trick the camera's auto iso/shutter, and then manually lock them. a bit fiddly, but it works.

that's one thing we 'nikon dslr' users don't have control over yet..argh!

anyways...happy new year man...and thanks for your help! running late..gotta go sonn.. take care!

[Michael Carter]

If you get in a jam out there -

Set up your cam so the aperture is a stop or two slower than wide open; wait for a "blast" and hit AE lock when the fireworks are at their brightest - then adjust your aperture as more fireworks go off. That will give you a stop or two to open up, and several stops to close down.

Also, if you have time, check some footage in your NLE while you look at the same footage (on the CF card) on your camera's LCD - I found the original LCD brightness level needed to be adjusted; since you're using the LCD to judge exposure, make sure it's close to your editing screen (or a calibrated monitor).

My guess is daylight color temp will be best for this, but you might try different temps early in the show. Hope that helps.

[Goonerman]

Appreciate all the help! I feel sad to say, that I didn't use the tripod, and wasn't prepared. So it was just a point and shoot thing. Very wobbly. Most clips were terrible, but I salvaged what I could, and edited real quick with fcp. So it just turned out to be a record of where I was, and how the fireworks looked.

Thanks for the help though. yeah, tripod is a MUST with fireworks!

[Zim]

I told you!! LOL.
I haven't really done much video of fireworks. Some with the DVX100b. But I have taken pictures of fireworks and that means longer exposures. So I always used a tripod and a cable release.

[Goonerman]

use a tripod.

haha, you did call it! should've listened, lol. i guess i'll try july 4th!

happy new year!