Information

[suslvgeo]

I LOVE my Canon Rebel, but to be honest I really don't know how to work it...I usually keep it in automatic mode and click away.


THat does not work so well for night and firework shots. Anyone got any EASY tips for me? LOL

[Art_Teacher]

DH took some great photos last year with our Rebel XT. It is not that hard, but it would be best if you have a tripod or something to set it on, so you can hold it steady, because you need to take it without flash. On ours, there is the green rectangle which is automatic, then on the dial there are other pictures. You can turn it to the M for manual and then hold it really steady as you take the pictures. You should also turn off the flash. The shutter speed will be incredibly slow, but that's why they look good.

[milmomma]

biggest tip get a tripod -------- using a manual mode, you can select a long exposure time by setting the shutter for one-to-thirty seconds or by using the B (or bulb) setting. You can also use the shutter priority mode to control the shutter speed. For the bulb setting you will need a cable release.

[suslvgeo]

DH took some great photos last year with our Rebel XT. It is not that hard, but it would be best if you have a tripod or something to set it on, so you can hold it steady, because you need to take it without flash. On ours, there is the green rectangle which is automatic, then on the dial there are other pictures. You can turn it to the M for manual and then hold it really steady as you take the pictures. You should also turn off the flash. The shutter speed will be incredibly slow, but that's why they look good.

MWAUH!!! Thank you!! So turn it to M, shut off the flash and try to stay really steady (no tripod yet )...should I change to ISO?



We are not doing a big firework show...more of a neighborhood thing with kids and sparklers and a dad that went haywire (not geo...lol) at the fireworks roadside store. LOL But I did want to get some shots. THANK YOU!!!

[suslvgeo]

biggest tip get a tripod -------- using a manual mode, you can select a long exposure time by setting the shutter for one-to-thirty seconds or by using the B (or bulb) setting. You can also use the shutter priority mode to control the shutter speed. For the bulb setting you will need a cable release.

seriously, I am thinking I need some accessories for my camera...I don't have a cable release either. I put it on the M setting but it is still click really fast, is that because it is daytime right now? How do I adjust the shutter priority?? Told you, I am an impaired Rebel user....I normally do the green box and that is it. ((hides head in shame))



Thanks for the help ladies!! You ROCK da house!!

[Art_Teacher]

If you don't have a tripod, try resting your elbows on your knee, or find a fence to hold it steady on, or anything tall enough. Sometimes, if there isn't enough light, when you have it on manual, it won't take, but if you hold down the button, it will eventually find the light of the fireworks. It takes some practice with the timing. DH just shot nearly every one...he had it aimed where they were shooting and didn't even look through the lens...

[Art_Teacher]

It is going really fast because you are shooting in the daytime. You can also try just setting it to no flash on the dial (last setting on ours), and it will stay in automatic but without flash. You will still have to hold very still...

[aceason]

Thanks for this thread, I've been wondering the same thing!

[scrappie_stacie]

So funny you just posted this. I just said to DH "I'm bound and determined to get good fireworks pictures this year. I need to do some research online". I read someone's post somewhere that they only use a prime lens. I would think a zoom lens would be better but I might try my prime lens. So putting the camera manual mode is best?

[milmomma]

http://www.usa.canon.com/content/rebelxti/index.html
This would be the best way I could share things with you. it had videos/picture of exactly what you want to look for. And they have each Canon camera

[amberella]

I went to a camera store to ask for a lens that would be good for taking nighttime pictures, and the guy just looked at me and said "Tripod and no flash."

I was sad because I actually WANTED a reason to buy a new lens.

[MargieM]

If you don't have a tripod try shooting in sports mode on the continuous (where the camera just keeps shooting as fast as it can) setting... I've used sports mode for fireworks, fireside, blowing out the B-day candles and other low-light situations and have gotten pretty good results. As a matter of fact I think I usually do fireworks using sports mode...

Here are some layouts w/pics that I did this for:


Pictures from Water Fire in Providence ... they light these torch like things along the canal in Providence...it's quite beautiful. I shot these photos using Sports Mode





Both of these layouts have pics shot in sports mode at the Mystic Aquarium in CT ... can't really use flash b/c it will reflect off the glass and the lens I had didn't have a low enough f stop to let enough light in. I did have to tweak the pics a little in photo shop (just the exposure and balance)

Hope this helps!

[JDs Mom]

Being a new owner of a Canon Rebel, I cannot tell you how much I appreciate all the tips here. Fireworks tonight if weather holds and I wanted to take some great pictures!! Thank you ALL for the suggestions and help you posted!!!

[scraptag]

I heard you should keep the iso on 100. But if you need more light, then dont go past 400, cause it will get too grainy. But the light of the fireworks should give you enough light, so that you can use 100 iso. (unless they are like really small in your lens, then good luck!)

I myself, have not had good luck with fireworks. I am also going to try the manual focus mode this year, because my camera slows down and won't take pictures when it has to focus so long! But I'm going to experiment, bring the tripod and use my manual settings. I have about 20 minutes to get a couple of good shots, right? And that reminds me, I'm going to go charge my battery now.

[scraptag]

Oh, another tip. If you shake too much...use your timer. That way you are not moving the camera when the shutter clicks.

[immom2anc]

So if you don't have a tripod, improvise. Use the arm of a chair, your knees if you're sitting on the ground, or a ladder! Anything that will steady the camera will help. If you're shooting & want the cascade effect go to TV mode & set your dial for shutter speed to 1/20 or even 1/5. That will keep the shutter open for 1/20 or 1/5 of a second; If you're really on a steady surface you can even try 2" (2 seconds) or 4" (4 seconds). And that mode will set your f-stop accordingly so you don't have to think about it. Keep in mind that if you're doing fireworks at home in the street and someone walks past, they will end up as a blur in your photo. You'll also want to keep your camera on 100 ISO because the fireworks will provide enough light for you. Try experimenting with different settings til you get the effect you'd like. I'll post some of mine from last night with settings so you can see what I used.

[immom2anc]

K, here ya go:

I'm using a Digital Rebel XSi with a Canon 50mm prime lens. I had my settings on TV Mode, so I could change shutter speed and allow the camera to choose the rest. It chose ISO 800 for everything due to the black surroundings; if I'd had a tripod I would have set this to 100, but I was handheld, so I had to watch my speeds to avoid shake.


A few images with settings:

f/1.8 shutter: 1/250 ISO: 800

f/1.8 shutter: 1/160 ISO: 800

f/1.8 shutter: 1/125 ISO: 800

f/2 shutter: 1/50 ISO: 800

f/1.8 shutter: 1/40 ISO: 800

f/1.8 shutter: 1/30 ISO: 800

f/1.8 shutter: 1/15 ISO: 800


Keep in mind that the longer the shutter stays open the more light gets in; so you'll see that the photos taken at 1/100 & above you don't notice the palm trees, people or nearby streetlight. But at 1/15 its very obvious what else is in the photo. Just a quick tutorial. Hope it helps!

[scraptag]

well, by now, some of you have had your fireworks. We still have 2 hours. Kristin, my f-stop only goes down to 3.5, so that means I'll have to lengthen my shutter time, right? I'm bringing my tripod. I think I will do a few on auto to see what the settings are and then go from there. I wish I had a 50mm prime lens that went down to f 1.8. That would be sweet.
Can't wait to see what everyone ends up taking!

[milmomma]

well, by now, some of you have had your fireworks. We still have 2 hours. Kristin, my f-stop only goes down to 3.5, so that means I'll have to lengthen my shutter time, right? I'm bringing my tripod. I think I will do a few on auto to see what the settings are and then go from there. I wish I had a 50mm prime lens that went down to f 1.8. That would be sweet.
Can't wait to see what everyone ends up taking!

Yes and yes... you got the right track.

Its not that hard. A big part of it is getting a good composition of the photo. I was busy volunteering all night last night. But my husband got these with no tripod and my standard kit lens. He is not a photography dude at all. So I firmly believe anyone can do it!

[immom2anc]

well, by now, some of you have had your fireworks. We still have 2 hours. Kristin, my f-stop only goes down to 3.5, so that means I'll have to lengthen my shutter time, right? I'm bringing my tripod. I think I will do a few on auto to see what the settings are and then go from there. I wish I had a 50mm prime lens that went down to f 1.8. That would be sweet.
Can't wait to see what everyone ends up taking!

Yes and yes... you got the right track.

Its not that hard. A big part of it is getting a good composition of the photo. I was busy volunteering all night last night. But my husband got these with no tripod and my standard kit lens. He is not a photography dude at all. So I firmly believe anyone can do it!

Love the spiral in the photos! Tell your hubby, good job! And scraptag, yes, you'll drop your speed down; instead of auto which will automatically try to give you a flash reading, try the P setting. Its just like Auto except it won't tell you to use flash. That part you have to do manually. But it will give you a decent starting point. Have fun! Can't wait to see!