Page 48 - NyghtVision Magazine Volume 2 #2

41 FIREWORKS

FIREWORKS ARE

AMONG THE MOST

DIFFICULT SUBJECTS

TO PHOTOGRAPH.

LEARN HOW TO DO IT

IN THIS ARTICLE

Fireworks are spectacular....

And among the most difficult of subjects to pho-
tograph. Our tendency is to think in terms that
seem to make sense - when working at nyght
always ISO up when you can’t use a flash, ex-
pose appropriately and use as low an aperture
as possible.

And we have all seen the results - the fireworks
explode and nothing is left except a totally blown
out image. There is also no way to anticipate just
how bright the explosions will be. So, what do
you do?
Well, we learned long ago that sometimes the
right answer is counter intuitive. And so it is
here.

Fireworks are intensely bright so the key is an-
ticipating the full brightness of the explosion.
And we all know that the best way to do that is
not by raising the ISO. The way to address this
problem is to lower your ISO setting.

Step One: Lower Your ISO

These images were taken using an ISO of 50. If
your camera can’t go that low, use the lowest ISO possible.
As you know, the lower the ISO, the less sensitive to light your camera becomes. This, of course,
increases the required exposure time. Make sure you use a good, steady tripod.

nyghtvision magazine volume 2, number 2, summer 2012