I also think that low ISO and f/16 in manual mode with bulb exposures makes the best fireworks captures because higher ISO or larger apertures tend to overexpose the fireworks and so burn out the colours towards white, causing loss of colour saturation near the centre of each trail. The exposure is determined by the brightness of the fireworks and the fact that they are moving across the image. If they were static then they would just go white in the photos. Because they are moving, the shutter speed is not critical other than to let you capture the right amount of fireworks for a pleasing composition and to prevent too many overlapping explosions that would also burn out to white.
It gets a lot harder when you try to include surrounding landscape features because then shutter speed can be far more significant to get the correct exposure of the background (non-firework) parts. Compromises may be needed.
Using a tripod prevents too many wiggles in the firework trails but handheld can make some interesting effects if used in moderation.
In general the firework trails we capture in photos are a lot longer than we see on the night with our eyes. We need the trails to better represent a moving light show on a stationary snapshot. A bundle of point light sources is rarely as impressive as showing a reasonable amount of trails. Sometimes very long trails work ok but usually there are too many other explosions going on during the exposure for the result to be pleasing in a photo.
My fireworks shots have never been close to what you guys are posting, so I won't embarrass myself by posting. It would be great for those who posted their pics without information, if they could add any shooting details and advice. Thanks guys, some really nice work here.
I haven't taken many fireworks photos, unfortunately. This is about the only one. This was taken out my front window at my house in Germany (when I lived there). I believe this is New Year's Eve 2005 or 2006. Yes, these are the fireworks that my neighbors set off in the street. Taken with my old DRebel, and probably the Sigma 18-125mm, but I can't remember.
This is also a composite of photos I took from a boat on Lake Michigan, looking towards Chicago. It's not a real scene, as I had no tripod and no way to keep the shutter open long enough to record a sharp city and then streaking fireworks (which aren't perfect since I was moving during their exposure). So, the fireworks are taken seperately and then inserted into the pic of Chicago. Taken at the same time, and all on July 4, but it is not a real image (which is likely apparent anyway).
Great shots guys. Keep them coming. Let's not dishonor our forefathers who gave their lives to give us this great America we know today by making this into another Canon vs Nikon thread. Let's celebrate this Fourth of July for America and symbolically for all other countries' Independence around the globe by showing us your Fireworks please!
Here are some, that I shot during Thunder Over Louisville 2008. It is widely regarded as one of the Largest Fireworks Shows in the World, and is the longest at 30 minutes.
These were all shot with my 5D, 70-200 @ f/11 or f/16, ISO 100, Bulb Mode, & Cable Release/Tripod
