Photography Assignment Sheets

FIREWORKS
This assignment sheet will teach you how to capture fireworks. What
you'll need: Camera and wide angle lens, tripod, cable release or
remote timer.
© SLR Photography Guide
PHOTO ASSIGNMENT
Arrive early to scout out your location. Think about the wind direction. If you’re
downwind from the display, the air will quickly become filled with smoke haze, which
is not ideal. If you can, try and position yourself upwind to avoid this.
Manually set the focus for your scene before it gets dark. Focus on infinity or on an
object in the distance. Once the fireworks begin, you’ll be ready to start shooting. If
you have an issue mid-show, turn autofocus back on and shoot a distant well-lit
object, then turn it back to manual focus again.
Method 1
- ISO 200
- Aperture f/8
- Shutter Speed 2 seconds
- Ignore the exposure line
Take a test shot. If the results
are too bright increase the
aperture number to f/11, if too
dark decrease aperture to f/5.6
or f/4
Method 2
- ISO 200
- Aperture f/11
- Ignore the exposure line
Instead of choosing a shutter
speed, set the camera to Bulb (B)
which allows you to keep the
shutter open as long as you want.
The longer you keep it open, the
more bursts you will capture in a
single shot.
1. Use a sturdy tripod and cable release or wireless remote to trigger the shutter
2. Set camera to 'Manual Mode' (Method 1) or 'Bulb' Mode (Method 2)
3. Turn your onboard Flash OFF if you have one
4. Turn OFF Autofocus and Image Stabilisation / Vibration Reduction
5. Image Quality - RAW
6. White Balance - AUTO
7. Drive Mode - Single Shot
8. Focus Manually on infinity
SHORT NOTE
When shooting with longer shutter speeds you need to use a tripod and remote release for
sharp images. Sometimes when shooting on manual mode you need to ignore the exposure
line and decide for yourself what shutter speed works best.
ASSIGNMENT CARD: FIREWORKS