- Fantasy FireWorks -

[LoveLife]

http://lovelife.smugmug.com/photos/80022355-L.jpg

See the show at http://lovelife.smugmug.com/gallery/181115/1/6844339
Click Slideshow in upper right hand corner then type the minus key (-), once then the letter (f).

[gwhizkids]

Very nice shots! I used the FZ30's fireworks scene mode the other night and had mixed results. The exposures were fine, but focusing was not completely optimal.

Any tips for how to focus on what would otherwise be empty space?

[LoveLife]

Very nice shots! I used the FZ30's fireworks scene mode the other night and had mixed results. The exposures were fine, but focusing was not completely optimal.

Any tips for how to focus on what would otherwise be empty space?

Taking pictures of fireworks is a nerve racking and technical minefield. You are not the exception.

Focusing on nothing.
This may sound silly but this is what I do. I make a judgment of how far from my camera the fireworks are going to explode. Then I look around for some object that seems to be the same distance. I do an 8x zoom and focus on that object, Windows with lights in them streetlights etc. Once you do this you do not change the zoom or focus setting. Take the first shot and go into review mode and zoom it in to check the focus. If it is not correct find another landmark.

I like to work with a tripod and shut off OIS, I then shoot at slower speeds and get more of this dreamy effect.

Did you take the slide show tour?


Forgot FZ30 needs to be in manual focus.


HTH,


LoveLife

[gwhizkids]

Thanks for the tips. And, yes, I did take the slide show tour. Very nice shots of some very nice fireworks!