ISO
dSLR Noob Guide: Fireworks
Dec 20th
To shoot fireworks, I highly recommend:
- Tripod (You will seriously need a GOOD tripod)
- Remote Switch (Highly Recommended)
- Wide Angle Lens
- dSLR
My Setup/Settings
- Stable Tripod
Impossible to shoot handheld, or with a lousy tripod. - Remote Cable Switch
Reduce camera shake. - Mode: M – Manual
Other mode won’t work well. - Focus: Manual Focus
It is nearly impossible to focus a firework before it goes off. - Aperture: f/8 – f/12
Most lens are at their sharpest at about f/8. - Shutter Speed: 2 – 8 seconds or B – Bulb Mode
This depends on your composition. Totally up to you. - ISO: ISO200 – 400
The least important setting. Set according to your exposure. - White Balance: Daylight
- Quality: JPEG
You will want to shoot as many fireworks possible. RAW files wont help much here. - Image Stabilizer: Off
Discussed at Stable Tripod + Image Stabilizer (IS) = Blur - Lens: Wide angle
You can always crop the photo.
Samples:
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/8, 5s, ISO400
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/8, 6s, ISO200
Canon Rebel XSi, Canon EF-S 18-55, f/10, 6s, ISO200
dSLR Noob Guide: Basics – ISO
Dec 19th
ISO represents the sensitivity of image sensor to the light.
ISO:
Higher ISO = More sensitive to light.
Noise:
Higher ISO = More Noise
The main disadvantage of using higher ISO is the noise generated. Both images below are cropped images.
Canon Rebel XSi
Canon PowerShot SD750 (Consumer Digital Camera)
Conclusion:
Lower ISO provides better image quality.
Places without sufficient light (indoor or night) may require higher ISO to reduce camera shake.
