richardmayede

Fireworks from a distance

First night of 2015 fireworks competition in Vancouver, China was on July 25. Photo was taken from my sister's balcony.

First night of 2015 fireworks competition in Vancouver, China was on July 25. Photo was taken from my sister's balcony.
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Jul, 2015

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Awards

Staff Winter Selection 2015

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Absolute Masterpiece

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Top 30 rank week 1

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Top 20 rank week 1

Behind The Lens

Location

This photo was taken in July 2015 from my sister's top floor balcony of her townhouse near Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver, BC, Canada during the city's annual fireworks competition.

Time

It was at 10:22 PM that I took this photo on July 25, 2015. I enjoy the challenge of taking photos of fireworks and this was the first time I was taking photos of fireworks with (at the time) my recently purchased second hand Nikon J1.

Lighting

The original photo had some smoke in the fireworks, and due to the distance, I enhanced the darkness in the photo, and brightened the lighting to enhance the brightness of the fireworks. Settings for the camera: ISO-100, f/5.6, 1/2 sec. exposure.

Equipment

I used a Nikon J1, with a 10 - 30mm 1:3.5 - 5.6 VR lens, on a Velbon tripod. No flash. Never use a flash for fireworks photos. No other equipment was used.

Inspiration

I really enjoyed seeing fireworks with my parents when I was younger, and so my sister and brother and our respective families make it a point to see the fireworks competition together and reminisce, enjoying time spent with family. I also like the challenge of getting good fireworks photos. Also, from a bigger perspective, because I was diagnosed with young onset Parkinson's Disease 11 years ago, I decided I have to do as much as I can while I'm still fairly mobile, so I thought, "why not try photography?" So in the past year I taught myself how to get the most from my Nikon J1 and its kit lens.

Editing

The photo was taken in RAW format so I cleaned up some of the smoke in fireworks. I did this in Photoshop's camera RAW editor. Then, in Photoshop I cropped it to what you see now.

In my camera bag

Wherever I go, I always take my Nikon J1 with me along with the kit lens, the 10-30mm. I feel it's compact and therefore, less intrusive when I want to take candid photos and video. Occasionally, I'll take a tripod with me if I'm taking photos in the evening.

Feedback

The key to taking good photos of fireworks is to experiment with the exposure settings in your camera. This is important whether you're using a DSLR, mirrorless, or point and shoot. Find out what you can do with your camera. Some point and shoot cameras even allow you to modify the exposure time. There's always a way to make the most of the camera you have in hand. As for this photo, the exposure was 1/2 second and ISO was set at ISO 100. The Nikon J1 doesn't have an ISO setting lower than that.

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richardmayede

richardmayede

Fireworks from a distance

First night of 2015 fireworks competition in Vancouver, China was on July 25. Photo was taken from my sister's balcony.

Behind The Lens

See more amazing photos, follow richardmayede

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