My first time trying to shoot fireworks at a small 10 min pre-show. Shot using a D200 at iso 100 with a 85 1.8 set f6.3 and f11 with about a 1.5 second shutter on a tripod with the head tightened about 75% so that i could still frame up the shots and then just hand hold it from there. From there I played with the focus to get the different effects.
A friend had mentioned this technique to me last year after the fourth. So I looked it up last night before the preview knowing if it turned out looking like crap I'd still have another time to shoot. Basically all you do is use a bit of a longer lens (85mm on a crop frame, choose mainly due to it's silky smooth manual focus) And then follow the Work up yet and right as it blows open the shutter and quite a few of them i was starting from way close focused and moving out to infinity. But #1 was the opposite I started at infinity and took my time bringing the focus to the point where the points Bokehed out. Giving the look which it has. I can't wait for the real show tonight.
. Why didnt you use bulb mode man?