Solving Photography Problems

[AusBmw]

I assume you mean lightning? :electric:

I would use something like a 17-55 f2.8 or maybe a plain old 50mm f1.8 with the camera on a tripod and a remote trigger. Right at 50mm with a DX format camera (or 70mm with a full frame or 35mm) seems to give a good area of the sky (I just checked). Manual focus to near infinity. Set the camera to continuous shooting, aim towards an area with lots of lightning and be ready to snap lots of shots. I would snap off 3-4 shots each lightning strike, possibly anticipating as much as you can. The perfect shot takes lots of luck.

PS: I can only guess at exposure levels. A lightning strike should fill the sky and provide plenty of light and the shutter speed is faster than you expect. However miss the strike and you'll get a long slow shutter. Once you get a few decent shots, you can go into shutter priority and pic your speeds. You want a dark exposure with the lightning providing a spotlight if its close enough or you can see the horizon.

The fireworks shots below were taken at close range at 70mm with a 1/15 shutter. Hand held with my big 70-200 f2.8, BTW.

:thumb: Yeah you assumed right:greenlaff:

[InsidiousSpeed]

After spending an hour thumbing through albums and reminiscing about my son's young years, I was able to find ONE fireworks picture that fit the bill of my previous post. It's the first one below - keep in mind it's a scan of a 35mm print that's at least 25 years old (4th July when I lived in Ft. Worth, TX.) Since m630 likes fireworks so much, I included a couple Ms Boss took a couple of years ago in Chicago. These were very difficult (as you can tell) as they were taken hand held from a moving boat on Lake Michigan. The second is especially interesting to me...like a still from "The Jellyfish That Ate Chicago."

Second thoughts: The first image shows why a large depth of field is so important. The "streaks" moving toward the camera are slightly out of focus v the sharply focused ones that move perpendicular to the lens. An aerial burst tends to move in all directions...toward, away, and at right angles to the lens. The larger the depth of field, the more of these elements you will have in focus.

In the second picture (the "jellyfish" one,) I can visualize the window "trails" of the buildings (due to the boat movement) giving the descending "jellyfish" the finger. No, no hallucinogens...maybe excess dust inhalation, though.

I like the jellyfish one. Unique shot. :thumb:

[bdaw]

I like the jellyfish one. Unique shot. :thumb:

It's a firework you :postwhore:

[NoM6D]

Nice shots!

Might have a few of those at the 2nd Anniversary party!

Sign up in this thread if you haven't already - I'm reserving a block of 10 rooms and will get more if needed.

http://www.bimmerdrivers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2964

[BHR4CE1]

- I'm reserving a block of 10 rooms and will get more if needed.

I guess with my busy job as a dancer on the weekends, I missed the name of the hotel. Please advise.

[m630]

After spending an hour thumbing through albums and reminiscing about my son's young years, I was able to find ONE fireworks picture that fit the bill of my previous post. It's the first one below - keep in mind it's a scan of a 35mm print that's at least 25 years old (4th July when I lived in Ft. Worth, TX.) Since m630 likes fireworks so much, I included a couple Ms Boss took a couple of years ago in Chicago. These were very difficult (as you can tell) as they were taken hand held from a moving boat on Lake Michigan. The second is especially interesting to me...like a still from "The Jellyfish That Ate Chicago."

Second thoughts: The first image shows why a large depth of field is so important. The "streaks" moving toward the camera are slightly out of focus v the sharply focused ones that move perpendicular to the lens. An aerial burst tends to move in all directions...toward, away, and at right angles to the lens. The larger the depth of field, the more of these elements you will have in focus.

In the second picture (the "jellyfish" one,) I can visualize the window "trails" of the buildings (due to the boat movement) giving the descending "jellyfish" the finger. No, no hallucinogens...maybe excess dust inhalation, though.
:knight3: amazing, thanx boxy!!!! I'm usually to excited to take good shots, though I usually vid small clips :greenlaff;

I was a pyromaniac :electric: , I mean pyrotechnician in my more youthful lifetime (ages 8 thru 25). I kid u not, I along with family and friends used to blow up my neighborhood for the 4th with bigger mortar shows than you'd see at any pro display show for hours and hours!!! One of the most fun things in the world!!!!!

Thanxxx!!!!

[NoM6D]

I guess with my busy job as a dancer on the weekends, I missed the name of the hotel. Please advise.

Not firm yet, still getting quotes.

[bdaw]

Not firm yet, still getting quotes.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/132746821_2dccee55a1.jpg?v=0