| How to Photograph Fireworks Posted: 03 Jul 2020 05:00 PM PDT Fireworks look beautiful in photographs, full of light and color. You may wonder how you can best capture fireworks in an image without issues like over or underexposure, blurriness, and graininess. To photograph fireworks well, start by picking a good shooting location. You can also use camera settings that will help you achieve a high-quality image. Then, set up the camera on a tripod to keep it steady and frame the fireworks with landmarks, a skyline, or even people to capture interesting photos. [Edit]Selecting the Shooting Location - Look for a high spot in an open area. Try to position yourself on a spot that is high up, such as a ledge in a field or a high slope by a main road. Check that you can see the spot where the fireworks are supposed to be in the sky from your vantage point and that you are at a 45-degree angle from the ground when you look up.[1]
- Keep in mind if you want to include people in some of your shots, you may pick a high spot that you can move down from easily so you can be closer to crowds.
- Check that the spot is upwind from the fireworks so you get a clear shot. Shooting downwind from the fireworks can cause smoke to get into your images as the fireworks go off. Prevent this by making sure your shooting location is upwind from where the fireworks are set to go off.[2]
- To determine the wind conditions, check the weather beforehand. Note if it is going to be a windy night and plan accordingly.
- Pick a spot that has a view of the skyline or a landmark for a unique shot. You may want to include a beautiful city skyline or a historic landmark in the area where the fireworks are set to go off. Find a shooting location that allows you to see the skyline clearly below the fireworks. Or go for a spot where a landmark or building appears in one side of the frame or in the foreground.[3]
- You can always shift your shooting location slightly while the fireworks are going off to get different objects in the foreground, as well as no objects at all in the shot. Try to find a spot where you can move around and play with different compositions.
[Edit]Setting up the Camera - Switch your camera to manual mode. You do not need an expensive camera with a lot of different settings to photograph fireworks well. In fact, you can use a film camera or a digital camera to get a great image as long as it can be switched to manual mode.[4]
- Make sure the focus mode reverts to manual when you switch to manual mode, as this will allow you to focus the camera as needed during the fireworks show.
- If you are shooting with the camera on your smartphone, download an app that allows you to have a slower shutter speed on the camera, such as Slow Shutter Cam.
- Some digital cameras will have a "Fireworks Mode" on the settings dial or in the menu options on the camera. Use this mode, if available, as this allows the camera to adjust the settings for you so you do not need to do it yourself.
- Turn off the flash to limit distractions around you. Switch the flash off, as it is not strong enough to illuminate the foreground in the dark. It can also distract you when you are taking pictures and bother others around you.[5]
- Use a wide or telephoto zoom lens to capture the fireworks. Look for a telephoto zoom lens that is 70-200mm or 70-300mm, as this will allow you to capture the fireworks in full from a distance. You can also use a wide lens that is 24-70mm or 24-120mm if you are shooting a bit closer to the fireworks.[6]
- It may be good to have both lenses on hand so you can switch between them to suit your vantage point.
- Start with a slow shutter speed of 2.5-4 seconds. Using a slow shutter speed will allow the camera shutter to stay open long enough to capture the long light trails of the fireworks. Avoid going lower than 2.5 seconds, as a shutter speed that is too low can cause the fireworks to appear blown out or overexposed.[7]
- You may need to play around with the shutter speed as you photograph the fireworks, shifting between 2.5-4 seconds. Try a few different speeds once you set up your camera to vary the types of images you get.
- Set the camera to a low ISO level and a narrow aperture field. Start with an ISO that is at 100, as this will allow you to use a low shutter speed. You can usually leave the ISO at 100 as you shoot. The aperture, or how wide the lens opens, should be around f/5.6-f/8. This will keep the aperture just narrow enough to capture the fireworks without letting in too much light.[8]
- You can try playing around with the aperture field as you photograph the fireworks, bumping up to f/11-f/16 depending on how bright your images appear.
[Edit]Taking the Photographs - Arrive early for the fireworks to reserve your shooting spot. If you know the fireworks show is going to be popular, you may aim to get to the location 30 minutes-1 hour early so you can set up your camera gear and be ready for the show.
- If you are not sure about the details of the location, you may visit it a day early to stake out a good location for shooting the fireworks.
- Put the camera on a tripod to get a steady image. Always use a tripod when you are shooting fireworks, as this will ensure you get a clear, high-quality image. Set up the camera, or your smartphone, on a tripod in the shooting location. Make sure the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture have already been set, as you do not want to have to touch the camera too much once you start shooting.[9]
- Look for a tripod that fits your camera model at your local camera store or online.
- Get a remote shutter release to avoid touching the camera. The remote shutter release attaches to your camera and is controlled by a small remote you hold in your hand. This feature is ideal when you are shooting fireworks, as touching your camera while shooting can cause the images to appear blurry or unclear.[10]
- You can buy a remote shutter release at your local camera store or online.
- Focus the camera on a distant object near where the fireworks are going off. Look into the lense and adjust the focus manually so it is on an object that is fairly far away, just beside or in front of where the fireworks are going to explode. This will then ensure the fireworks appear in focus when they enter the frame.[11]
- You can also try zooming out or in and focusing on the fireworks to get a different perspective. Your wide or telephoto zoom lense should make doing this fairly easy.
- Frame the fireworks with people, objects, or a landscape. Use your surroundings to make the photographs more interesting and unique. Try placing a landmark in one corner of the frame and focusing on it as the fireworks go off. You can also focus on the skyline just below the fireworks to get a nice landscape in the foreground.[12]
- Including people watching the fireworks can also make the photographs more interesting. Try shooting at a lower angle to capture people in the foreground or background of the image.
- Reduce the shutter speed if the fireworks appear blurry or unclear. If you notice your images are coming out blurry or unclear, it may be because your shutter speed is not slow enough. Bump it down 1-2 speeds so the lense stays open longer and you can capture the full effect of the fireworks.[13]
- You may need to also play around with the aperture setting when you reduce the shutter speed to find the right balance.
- Use "bulb mode" to experiment with exposure. To do this, press the shutter down as the fireworks are launching. Continue to hold the shutter for several seconds until the burst fades and then slowly let it go. This allows you to create a long exposure that will capture the fireworks as it explodes.[14]
- Use a remote shutter release to do "bulb mode" as this will prevent you from touching the camera and causing it to shift or move, which can ruin the photograph.
- Shoot in RAW mode, rather than JPEG mode, if you are using a digital camera. RAW mode will make it easier for you to edit RAW images later to remove shadows or blurry area in the images.[15]
[Edit]Things You'll Need - A digital or film camera with a manual mode
- A tripod
- A remote shutter release
- A flashlight
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Make a Top Hat Posted: 03 Jul 2020 09:00 AM PDT Top hats are a classy addition to any outfit, but they can be a bit pricey if you're looking for a quick costume accessory. Thankfully, you don't need any hat-making experience to create a top hat at home. Instead, all you need is some cardboard and felt, along with some hot glue and scissors to assemble your hat. In less than an hour, you can show off your very own top hat to your friends and family! [Edit]Cutting the Cardboard Pieces - Draw out a cardboard circle to make your brim. Place a sturdy, large piece of cardboard on your workspace. Adjust a compass so the pencil is about away from the center spoke, then trace a circle onto the cardboard. [1]
- Any type of sturdy cardboard will work well for this, like a flattened cardboard box or a leftover cereal box.
- If you're confident in your own sketching and tracing skills, you can draw the circle freehand as well. You can also trace a round object with a diameter, like a flower pot.
- The overall size of your hat may depend on who you're making it for. For instance, a wide hat may work better for a child.
- Trace an inside of the larger circle. Readjust your compass so the pencil is away from the spoke. Arrange your compass in the center of the previously traced circle, then sketch out another circle in the center.[2]
- You can tweak this measurement depending on the circumference of your own head. For instance, if you're making a hat for a child, a opening might fit better.
- Cut out both cardboard circles. Take a pair of scissors or a box cutter and begin cutting out the central circle first. Set the small piece of cardboard aside, then repeat the process by cutting out the larger circle. Try to keep these edges as smooth as possible so your top hat can look polished and professional.[3]
- The smaller circle will serve as the top of your top hat, while the larger circle will serve as the brim.
- Measure and trace 2 rectangles on a sheet of cardboard. Think about how tall you'd like your top hat to be. Use a soft measuring tape to measure around the smaller circle—once you have a rough measurement, divide it in half so you know how wide each rectangle needs to be. After deciding how tall you'd like your hat to be, sketch out the dimensions on a piece of flexible cardboard.[4]
- Trace these rectangles on flexible cardboard, like a cereal box, as you'll need to bend them as you make the hat.
- For instance, you can cut out 2 rectangles that are . If you want to save time, you can also make a large rectangle that's , then bend and curve it into a cylindrical shape later on.
- A tall hat may look good on an adult, while a child may look better in a top hat.
- Cut out the cardboard rectangles to build the barrel of your hat. Use a box cutter or pair of scissors to cut out the 2 even rectangles, which will make up the center barrel of your top hat. Try to cut these rectangles so they're a few millimeters wider around the edges of the sketched template, since you'll be overlapping these rectangles to create the barrel of your hat. Set both rectangles next to one another to make sure that they're around the same size.[5]
[Edit]Assembling the Hat with Felt - Trace felt shapes that match the dimensions of your hat. Place your cardboard templates on a large piece of dark felt. Outline the shapes on the felt with a white colored pencil so you know where to cut. Instead of tracing 2 rectangular sections of felt for the barrel of your hat, trace around both cardboard pieces to create a large felt rectangle.[6]
- You only need 1 felt rectangle for the barrel of your top hat, as this will make your finished hat look more sleek and cohesive.
- To save time, you can trace around the outer and inner rim of your donut-shaped piece of cardboard. This will yield the 2 circular felt shapes that you need!
- You may want to cut out 2 donut-shaped pieces of felt to cover the top and bottom of the brim.
- Cut out the individual felt pieces. Take a pair of fabric scissors and cut out the felt pieces you just traced. Set each felt piece aside so you can keep track of them. Try to make these pieces a few millimeters larger than the original cardboard sections of the hat, so it's easier to make adjustments.[7]
- Tape the 2 cardboard rectangles together to form a cylinder. Hold and bend both rectangles next to one another so the edges overlap. Keep both pieces of cardboard steady, then apply strips of tape along the sides so the cardboard holds a cylindrical shape. As a precaution, measure the circumference of the cylinder to ensure that it fits in the brim.[8]
- It may be easier to have a friend or family member hold the cardboard in place while you tape the pieces together.
- Any kind of durable tape works for this, though clear tape looks less obvious.
- The edges only need to overlap by a few millimeters, so the barrel of the hat fits snugly into the brim.
- Fit and tape the cylinder into the brim hole of the larger circle. Center the cardboard cylinder over the open brim circle of the hat. Slide the cylinder into the opening so it fits snugly. For extra support, apply a few pieces of tape along the edges to hold both pieces of cardboard together.[9]
- At this point, your cardboard will start to look like a top hat. notches along the base of the cardboard cylinder, leaving a gap between each notch. After sliding the cylinder into the brim of the hat, fold and glue the notches on the bottom of the hat's brim.[10]}}
- Tape the small circle on top of your assembled hat. Place the small cardboard circle on top of the cylinder, where it should fit exactly. Place a few strips of clear, durable tape along the edges of this small circle to hold it in place.[11]
- With this piece in place, the base of your top hat is now in place.
- Hot glue the felt to your assembled hat. Arrange a donut-shaped piece of felt over the hat's brim, the large, rectangular section of felt around the hat's barrel, and the circular piece of felt on top of the hat. Work with 1 piece at a time, applying the glue in small sections to the bottom of the felt. Press the felt into place over the brim, barrel, and top of the hat. Fold and glue the felt over the edge of the brim to make the hat look more cohesive, and to cover the cardboard edge completely.[12]
- Try to use small amounts of glue so it doesn't look obvious on your finished hat.
- If you cut out a section piece of donut-shaped felt to cover the bottom of your hat's brim, glue it into place at this time.
- Glue extra decorations to the hat as a finishing touch. Add a long stretch of ribbon around the base of your hat to serve as a band, or glue some feathers as an accent. Play around with rhinestones, ribbons, and other decorations until you're happy with how your hat looks![13]
- For example, you can glue a red ribbon band around the base of your hat to serve as a classy accent.
- For a more exotic touch, glue several feathers in 1 spot along the front or side of your hat.
- Some professional crafters have top hat templates that you can purchase online.
- You may want to tweak the measurements of your hat if the size of your head is larger or smaller than average. Measure the circumference of your own head so you know how wide or small the finished hat needs to be.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Cardboard
- Pencil
- Compass
- Scissors
- Tape
- Colored pencil
- Hot glue
- Felt
- Decorations (optional)
[Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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