Fireworks!

[Alison]

Although handheld and without a compatible remote control for my 40D I'm feeling pretty pleased with what I got :thumbsup:
Manual settings SS bulb, F/14.0, ISO 400
I forgot to set my ISO to 100 :mad2:

[SmartWombat]

You had quite a strong wind there affecting the shapes, but it blew away the smoke and left you nice clear photos.
I've never succeeded hand held, I always have to use a tripod.
I'll take the 2nd and 4th as my picks

[Alison]

Thanks Paul. You should've heard me screaming with excitement!

[Frog]

You did that handheld on bulb? Holy Moly!! Were you leaning against something or are do you have the nickname 'steadyhand', as they are sure are sharp.

[SmartWombat]

I used to do firework displays part time.
Unfortunately because I was working I never got shots straight up from beside the mortar launch tube, that would have been spectacular I think.

I've got my pyrotechnics training certificate somewhere, maybe I should get it out and hang it up at work to worry them
Most of the time it was smaller hand fired displays, where we reloaded the mortars during the display. Electric fired display you spend at least a day setting it up, and have lots and lots of tubes because you can't reload. But it's not so much fun. Mind you if it's electrically fired then you get to play with big toys, like the 10" and 12" diameter mortar shells.

I miss the mis-fires, the mortar shells that don't lift out of the tube and turn into 4" mines at ground level, the rockets that don't lift and weathercock into the wind and burst too low, the rocket sticks coming down around us and the continual shower of burnt out star cases (yes, we all wore fireproof suits and hard hats).
I miss the smell of gunpowder in my beard

I don't miss the cold nights though, I think I'm getting too old for it

[Alison]

You did that handheld on bulb? Holy Moly!! Were you leaning against something or are do you have the nickname 'steadyhand', as they are sure are sharp.

Thanks Frog
I was leaning against a wall, just outside my back door, and I used my 17-40mm f/4.0 L lens.

[another view]

[SIZE="3"]Although handheld.....I forgot to set my ISO to 100

You don't drink coffee, do you?

Very nice job, and they look clean at ISO400. I'd probably shoot them at ISO100 just from being used to shooting them with film at 100, but I don't know if it matters too much other than that.

[Sebastian]

Some great stuff in there Alison.

[mn shutterbug]

Several years ago, I shot fireworks with my Nikon 35mm, and they turned out pretty good. However, I USED A TRIPOD. I can't imagine shooting these handheld. I'm impressed. I need to get myself a 40D. Actually, it's the lens prices that scare me off.

[Jimmy B]

Alison great work for hand held!

[readingr]

Alison

#4 and 5 are lovely. Nice job at handheld.

Roger

[Alison]

Thanks guys!
Y'know Seb, it's all thanks to your fireworks tips! Thank you so much!!!

And I just checked my exif info. I accidentally shot these at ISO 800 not 400!!! I guess the 40D really does do well at higher ISO's huh?

[Old Timer]

Very nice. Hand Held!!! I've never been very successful with fireworks but than I never really got serious about them. Maybe this summer.