Post Your 4th of July Photos

[revup67]

Taken above Mission Viejo Lake, CA.  Settings were:  taken with Canon 5D MK3 and Canon 70-300 L IS USM lens @ 4.7s, F10, ISO 100, tripod (Y), BULB setting with TR cable, @ 83mm AWB.  Post Process in DPP only RAW to JPG.  No HDR


4th of July 2012 (Mission Viejo, CA) by Revup67, on Flickr

[@!ex]

Revup67, came over here to start this thread, but you beat me to the punch.  Here is what I came up with tonight. f11, ISO 640, 1-5 sec.  5 images stacked in a manner similar to star trails.


Mile High 'Merica by @!ex, on Flickr

[revup67]

Hey @!ex..must have been by a few seconds..haha!  that was close.  Was thinking about you earlier re:  the CO wildfires..hope you / friends and family are OK.  My wife's brother lives in Ft. Collins and said he was breathing in ash for a few days..all the best!  Hey post some non HDR pix...would like to see your "flat" work as well..take care..Rev

[@!ex]

Hey @!ex..must have been by a few seconds..haha!  that was close.  Was thinking about you earlier re:  the CO wildfires..hope you / friends and family are OK.  My wife's brother lives in Ft. Collins and said he was breathing in ash for a few days..all the best!  Hey post some non HDR pix...would like to see your "flat" work as well..take care..Rev

Thanks for the concern.  Luckily all my family and friends are safe, but it has been a trying few weeks.

[wickidwombat]

Not that your HDR stuff isnt good @lex but your flat work is seriously great
I think you have a great eye for composition. Maybe you should offer to shoot the US olympic team
to save them from any further embarasment

[@!ex]

Not that your HDR stuff isnt good @lex but your flat work is seriously great
I think you have a great eye for composition. Maybe you should offer to shoot the US olympic team
to save them from any further embarasment

Thanks, much appreciated.  I think of HDR as just another technique to be used when it is appropriate and can enhance a shot, similar to long exposure, filters, or B&W.  I think in that light, with the proper usage the stigma may subside a bit.   I just happen to find enjoyment in seeking out these types of scenes.  I think that one of the most important skills for multi exposure photography is knowing when to use it...

Either way I really appreciate the praise, especially from other accomplished photographers. 

[wickidwombat]

Not that your HDR stuff isnt good @lex but your flat work is seriously great
I think you have a great eye for composition. Maybe you should offer to shoot the US olympic team
to save them from any further embarasment

Thanks, much appreciated.  I think of HDR as just another technique to be used when it is appropriate and can enhance a shot, similar to long exposure, filters, or B&W.  I think in that light, with the proper usage the stigma may subside a bit.   I just happen to find enjoyment in seeking out these types of scenes.  I think that one of the most important skills for multi exposure photography is knowing when to use it...

Either way I really appreciate the praise, especially from other accomplished photographers.

this is how i view HDR too, I just got really disillusioned with it all but thanks to you guys i'm taking another look
migth have abit of a play around with a few things. I've still shot tones of bracketed sets even though i havent processed any so got heaps to look through. And i'm serious about the olympic team thing too

[drjlo]

Taken above Mission Viejo Lake, CA.  Settings were:  taken with Canon 5D MK3 and Canon 70-300 L IS USM lens @ 4.7s, F10, ISO 100, tripod (Y), BULB setting with TR cable, @ 83mm AWB.  Post Process in DPP only RAW to JPG.  No HDR


4th of July 2012 (Mission Viejo, CA) by Revup67, on Flickr

Nice.  How did you arrive at those settings without over-exposure in bulb, just trial and error? 

[revup67]

Nice.  How did you arrive at those settings without over-exposure in bulb, just trial and error? 

Great question..initially there was a lot of trial and error (film days).  I Think I have a formula down now..I used the mirror lock up option first with BULB as mentioned, close out the view finder with cover on canon strap to eliminate all external light sources.  I sort of study the fireworks from our City in advance (meaning prior to taking shots..just watching) or do a few tests to get a rough feel.  (PS trying to get a focus is difficult too as you're not sure where or how high they're going to go) hence why I chose F10. I try and avoid the white fireworks as well as those do overexpose.  The colored ones are lesser of a chance for over exposure.  Also, once the sky is momentarily without fireworks is when I open the shutter, after two to three fireworks reach there limit and begin their fall, I add about another second or two then close the shutter.  I might also close the shutter (as with this one) prior to the "white" fireworks opening up entirely as you can see it is on its way up.  I try and never allow more than 3 explosives in air at once (mostly 2-3).  I also take about 5-10 test shots just to be certain all is going as planned.  In post process with this one I reduced the shadows and lessened the contrast to allow more for the illuminated city lights and colored smoke.  It also softens the photo as well.  Thanks for asking.

[scottkinfw]

I didn't use Bulb, i altered the shutter speed, and kept an eye out for the "blinkies"  Made sure that only the initial explosion of the charge was over exposed, and experimented with shutter speed.  Trial and error.  With the long exposures, they don't look like fireworks much, but it was an experiment.

Taken above Mission Viejo Lake, CA.  Settings were:  taken with Canon 5D MK3 and Canon 70-300 L IS USM lens @ 4.7s, F10, ISO 100, tripod (Y), BULB setting with TR cable, @ 83mm AWB.  Post Process in DPP only RAW to JPG.  No HDR


4th of July 2012 (Mission Viejo, CA) by Revup67, on Flickr

Nice.  How did you arrive at those settings without over-exposure in bulb, just trial and error?

[revup67]

Hey scrappydog - really nice shot but I believe this thread is for 5D MK3 only..darn..the shot fits in well

[TheSurfPhotographer]

Golden Palms
SF Bay Area

[@!ex]

sorry for the brief hijack of the thread, glad we are back on track.

[Wideopen]

sorry for the brief hijack of the thread, glad we are back on track.

Your pix are amazing!

[myone]

Taken at Exposition Park, Los Angeles