Shooting fireworks with HMC-150?

I

ikander

Well-known member
I was thinking about on shooting a fireworks display with my HMC-150 for July 4th.

Any reccomendations on what settings to shoot in? 60p? 24p? I've never shot fireworks before and I'm curious to see if they'll even come out due to the lack of light, but I figure it can't hurt to ask the experts on this board to share some of their wisdom.

As always, any help is appreciated! You guys rock!
 
Thanks. Would slow-mo fireworks look cool or is the dreamy "slow" effect wasted on something as quick paced as fireworks?
 
Well the best thing probably is to try both and see what you like. Do you want it to look like you're there or as though someone is recalling their favorite firework display from a childhood memory?
 
I think I'm gonna stick with 24p...Or, maybe I could switch halfway through and get a little of both.

As for shutter speed, the faster my shutter, the more light I'm gonna need. So, what shutter speed would you suggest?
 
1/24th worked fine for me, if there is enough light I would try 1/60 th .But this really depends on your location .
If you will be zooming in you can get as fast as 1/250 th.
Good luck and if it burns.... duck and roll :)
 
As with anything else, going with your desired output is usually the best bet (for real-time motion). With the high speed motion, 24p certainly gives it a pleasing "dreamy" look, and 60p/i looks like you are there.

If you want to capture any of the surrounding area lighting up, 24p is a much better bet since you can drop the shutter down to 24 if needed (will look even "dreamier"). On the flip-side, the fireworks will be clipping worse and the blast may blur a bit. There is always going to be clipping, so its a trade off. Another advantage of going 60 is you can use DRS to get more dynamic range... I forgot to try that last time.

I happened to be up in the Hancock observatory last weekend with the camera and was lucky to catch an unexpected fireworks show. I went with 60p for the first time (always used 24p on the dvx) mainly to see how it would look slowed down. It certainly does look cool! Slowmo will look the best if you can zoom in since the burst is the fast part (the rest is slow on its own), and you will be able to brighten up the shot enough to boost your shutter. I was too far away to fully get that effect, and kept needing to turn on gain to pick up the reflections in the water on zoomed out shots. If you are at a normal distance and looking up, that shouldn't be a problem.

Make sure you get your focus locked ahead of time, its difficult to refocus in on the firework "dots" with the LCD.

If you are anywhere near the action, it is certainly the type of environment where a UV filter should be used as protection!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top