It’s time to get ready for Fourth of July celebrations and the amazing fireworks show that accompany the barbeques and other events. Want to get some amazing images? You can capture some spectacular scenes if you take a few tips with you before you begin shooting.
Scout Your Spot: If at all possible, get the event early and take a look around. See if you can get an unobstructed view or if you can position yourself where other onlookers’ heads won’t be in the way.
Try a Tripod: With the combination of low light and fast action (the fireworks), a steady surface can greatly aid in helping you record that perfect image. We offer a number of high quality styles including compact, professional and monopod styles: http://www.promaster.com/monopod
Add a Remote Release: A remote release can free you up to focus on your images and keep your eye on the sky. They are inexpensive and many photographers find them to be an invaluable accessory: http://www.promaster.com/remote
Slow Your Shutter Speed: A long exposure often works best with fireworks since they are moving events and contain bright light. Experiment with keeping the shutter open long but don’t overdo it because you can overexpose the image. Alternate between using a burst mode to capture the action as well as holding the shutter open (by pressing the button half-way at the beginning of the action and continue holding it down until the fireworks burst is complete) in a single shot. Each location and event has unique circumstances so keep experimenting as you go along until you find the effect that works for you.
Forget the Flash: Your flash can be more of a hindrance in this case because it may signal to your camera that you need a shorter exposure time. The flash only helps when your object is a few feet away, so in this case, even though it’s dark, keep the flash turned off.
Geotagging allows you to know exactly where and when an image was taken because the location’s latitude and longitude are recorded with the image’s EXIF data. The EXIF data includes information about HOW the photo was taken and includes details such as shutter speed and aperture. Most digital cameras automatically record EXIF information with every picture taken but only a few models include built-in geotagging at this time.
There are a number of personal and professional reasons you’d want to geotag your images. If you’re looking for all the photos you took in Colorado, geotagging allows you to find those images quickly. If you’re a real estate agent, you can provide your clients with an online map of all the listings currently available.
Here are a few ways that you can record the exact location of where a photo was taken, opening up a number of other ways you can enjoy, share and use your digital images:
Using Your Existing GPS Receiver: If you want to begin geotagging your images but aren’t ready to purchase any additional equipment, consider using your existing GPS receiver. You can even use the GPS functions on some cell phones. You’ll want to make sure that your GPS is in ‘tracking’ mode. Keep your GPS with you and in this mode while you’re taking photos. Once you’re finished, upload your pictures to your laptop or computer and then choose which images you wish to tag with the coordinates. Refer to your GPS log and write down the coordinates for each time period. You can then add the coordinates to the EXIF file in your image editing program.
This method, while the least expensive, can also be a bit labor intensive for those who do a great deal of shooting. Fortunately, there are some new tools available designed to automate this process for you!
Modifying Your Camera: There are models of GPS receivers that attach to the hot shoe of a DSLR digital camera, and this will allow the coordinates to be recorded in the EXIF data. You might also consider a small GPS tracker that works in conjunction with your digital camera. Before you upload all your pictures to your computer, you simply take the camera’s memory card and insert it into the GPS tracker. The data is then written to the EXIF files of your photographs and the coordinates are now attached. You can then upload your pictures, and they will include all the GPS coordinates.
Digital Cameras with Built-in GPS: One of the easiest ways to begin geotagging your images is to purchase a camera with built-in GPS capabilities. This means that the coordinates of each picture are automatically recorded into the EXIF data. While this functionality is still fairly new for digital cameras, a regular stream of new cameras is being introduced with more options coming available in the near future. If you’d like to know which models we have, just give us a call or email us and we’d be happy to consult with you personally to find a model that meets your needs.
Also, some cell phones have built-in cameras and GPS capabilities, and while the quality may not compare to your digital camera, this method could work in a pinch if needed.
It’s time to get ready for Fourth of July celebrations and the amazing fireworks show that accompany the barbeques and other events. Want to get some amazing images? You can capture some spectacular scenes if you take a few tips with you before you begin shooting.
