Photographing Fireworks

[TonyGribben]

Hopefully I will be going out this week and trying to get some pics at a fireworks display.I will be using the following kit Canon 550d ,Sigma 18-200, tripod and a wired remote.Complete novice at this so any help would be great.Whatsort of shutter speed, what white balance that sort of thing.
Thanks
Tony

[LittleSquidge]

Hello, I studied a BTEC in photography (and passed!) and we were always told the basics of photographing fireworks is that you need tripod and the longest shutter speed available to you, without turning the sky to anything other than black. I'm afraid you'll have to experiment on the shutter speed though, as without seeing the lightness of the sky on that evening I cannot guess. Definitely don't try a fast shutter speed though, as you'll find yourself hitting the shutter and missing quite often.
I'd also recommend photographing fire, but using a very fast shutter. Looks really interesting to see it frozen in time.
Good luck!

[TonyGribben]

Thanks LittleSquidge, that was quick.i will be using a tripod, I know a lotof it is trial and error, but looking foreward to giving it a go.

[LittleSquidge]

That's what I always liked about photography, that 30 people in the same class could be set a project, yet have so many different results through trial and error.

[Ellipsis]

Adorama is a big US camera store that I've bought equipment from in the past. They have a really good "learning centre" which this year published several firework tips for July 4:

http://www.adorama.co...Photography-AdoramaTV
http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/13778
http://www.adorama.com/alc/article/8080

[TonyGribben]

Thanks Ellipsis will have a look.