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FIREWORKS!

  
 
Mattyfatz
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p.1 #1 · FIREWORKS!


Fuji users: what film simulation do you use to photograph fireworks? I’m using my new X-E5 this year, and I want to get it right. If you’ve had success with certain settings or recipes please share here. THANKS!


Jun 20, 2026 at 11:38 AM
RWNPhoto
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p.1 #2 · FIREWORKS!


Assume you are shooting JPG only?


Jun 20, 2026 at 01:31 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.1 #3 · FIREWORKS!


I’d shoot raw and decide on interpretation afterwards rather than locking myself in to a specific sim.


Jun 20, 2026 at 04:44 PM
Mattyfatz
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p.1 #4 · FIREWORKS!


Which film simulation would you use?


Jun 20, 2026 at 04:53 PM
RoamingScott
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p.1 #5 · FIREWORKS!


Velvia most likely.


Jun 20, 2026 at 05:04 PM
 


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gaopa
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p.1 #6 · FIREWORKS!


RoamingScott wrote:
Velvia most likely.


If I were shooting only jpeg, I agree with RoamingScott on setting Velvia to get the punch to the colors.



Jun 20, 2026 at 07:49 PM
gdanmitchell
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p.1 #7 · FIREWORKS!


One thing about colors at night — they normally look a lot more intense in a digital photogaph than they look to your eyes, since your color vision is suppressed in low light. You might regret pushing the color too much… and you can always choose velvia or another type in post.

I’m back to add one more thing: Be careful to avoid over-exposing your fireworks shots, since that can blow out color channels. (Actually, pushing a _little_ past the blow out point on highlights is probably OK, but don’t go too far.

One great thing about digital photography compared to film is that you can do a few test shots, check the image and the histogram, and make quick adjustments.

Another trick: If you are going to be making long exposures and you want to figure out your exposure time… crank the ISO way up to figure out the exposure without waiting for long exposures to complete. Then do a little simple math to figure out what shutter speed to use at base ISO.

Edited on Jun 21, 2026 at 10:30 PM · View previous versions



Jun 20, 2026 at 08:49 PM
rbf_
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p.1 #8 · FIREWORKS!


I've noticed that with velvia as well. Seen it often blow the colors out entirely with colorful scenes at night like a colorful sunset. I remember switching to Astia once in that situation to get the best jpg. I always edit the raws I like(you'll always have the best results with all the image data and control you have in post) but have always liked the jpg's Fuji's produce and like having control of them and used to use them for quick shares on soc med(I've never agreed with viewpoint of only sharing your best, most edited version of a photo online as if they were prints. They're not they're free training data for AI). I don't get into the recipes much but I think they're pretty cool. So yeah watch out for velvia at night in really colorful scenes! I think I switched to Astia actually and had a lot better results where velvia was overkill and losing actual detail in the jpg.

Edited on Jun 20, 2026 at 09:27 PM · View previous versions



Jun 20, 2026 at 09:06 PM
Mattyfatz
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p.1 #9 · FIREWORKS!


Well… whatever the results, I’ll post them here for critique!


Jun 20, 2026 at 09:11 PM
rbf_
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p.1 #10 · FIREWORKS!



Enjoy and remember that bulb mode doesn't work with electronic shutter.



Jun 20, 2026 at 09:13 PM







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