GiggleGuyz
02-23-2011, 05:14 PM
Since there is no subforum on subjects like this, I posted this one here. Feel free to correct me :confused:
I want to talk about capturing fireworks, and saving the experience on tape.
Part #1
"The magic hour"
The light is essential for capturing fireworks on tape. Here is some tips.
Ground salutes, firecrackers etc.
These are best captured in the day. Place the firecrackers or ground salute on a hard surface, this will help the camera to pick up the sound better. Always make sure to have your back towards the sun, otherwise the footage will get way to much light, and become murky. Having your back turning towards the sun also helps your camera, to capture the smoke and flash of the firecrackers better. This is the best way to capture any salute firework on tape. (Smoke and small novelty-fireworks are also best captured this way)
Aerial Shells
Here's the best way to capture a standard, commercially bought, aerial shell on tape.
Aerial shells are actually very hard to get great footage of. Usually because cameras from before 2004, doesn't have a "firework" function, and as a result of that the footage gets murky. So how do you use your standard "old school" camera, to capture aerial shells on tape?
This is where the idea of the "the magic hour" comes in handy.
You have approx one hour to get that dream footage of a commercial aerial shell. The hour takes place in the twillight. Just when the sun has come down you have the clear blue sky, and still got a little bit of daylight back. Place yourself so you have the just set sun behind you, and shoot the shells. Make sure to be approx 15meters from the mortartube, and follow the shell all the way to the break. Always have someone light the firework for you, otherwise the footage will get shaky.
Rockets etc.
These are hard to get good footage of.. The coolest thing about rockets is often the liftoff. The screaming of the blackpowder engine as it lifts the payload to incredible heights.. In europe almost all rockets carry what people in the US refer to as a shell. Since "shells" aren't used this often in europe, our rockets are responsible for the biggest and most beautiful breaks. So therefore the method of filming is very much like with the aerial shells, except you need to be a little futher away, to capture the bigger breaks.
Among other types of rockets there is the normal "pop"-rocket, this particular type of rocket isn't especially ecxiting, yet a good way of practice.. Since the "break" or "pop" of this rocket is very small and, doesn't produce a lot of light, it can be captured on film in complete darkness. Again make sure to have a partner ight the rocket, and stand back a good 5 meters or so. This way the camera will pick up the sound much better. Film the rocket's ascend, in a slow and relaxed way.
Salute rockets / Shells.
Are best captured on a day with a clear sky, filming this type of firework is very easy. Turn your back towards the sun, have your partner light the firework and slowly build up momentum by slowly following the shell / rocket's ascend. Salutes over 5 grams are best captured in open areas, where you can hear the thunder rolling after the break.
Part #2
"Editing your footage"
Editing footage is also an important part of filming your firework.
Experiment with the light, you're the best judge of what looks good.
Also try and experiment with the sound, try and give the sound of salute a deeper bass for example. !Remember! the sound is just as important as the shape of the break and the colour of the stars. Some might call, editing the sound cheating.. But it depends on how you look at it.
More might follow, if wanted. :p
I'm danish, so i'm sorry for any spelling mistakes.
Hope you enjoy!
I want to talk about capturing fireworks, and saving the experience on tape.
Part #1
"The magic hour"
The light is essential for capturing fireworks on tape. Here is some tips.
Ground salutes, firecrackers etc.
These are best captured in the day. Place the firecrackers or ground salute on a hard surface, this will help the camera to pick up the sound better. Always make sure to have your back towards the sun, otherwise the footage will get way to much light, and become murky. Having your back turning towards the sun also helps your camera, to capture the smoke and flash of the firecrackers better. This is the best way to capture any salute firework on tape. (Smoke and small novelty-fireworks are also best captured this way)
Aerial Shells
Here's the best way to capture a standard, commercially bought, aerial shell on tape.
Aerial shells are actually very hard to get great footage of. Usually because cameras from before 2004, doesn't have a "firework" function, and as a result of that the footage gets murky. So how do you use your standard "old school" camera, to capture aerial shells on tape?
This is where the idea of the "the magic hour" comes in handy.
You have approx one hour to get that dream footage of a commercial aerial shell. The hour takes place in the twillight. Just when the sun has come down you have the clear blue sky, and still got a little bit of daylight back. Place yourself so you have the just set sun behind you, and shoot the shells. Make sure to be approx 15meters from the mortartube, and follow the shell all the way to the break. Always have someone light the firework for you, otherwise the footage will get shaky.
Rockets etc.
These are hard to get good footage of.. The coolest thing about rockets is often the liftoff. The screaming of the blackpowder engine as it lifts the payload to incredible heights.. In europe almost all rockets carry what people in the US refer to as a shell. Since "shells" aren't used this often in europe, our rockets are responsible for the biggest and most beautiful breaks. So therefore the method of filming is very much like with the aerial shells, except you need to be a little futher away, to capture the bigger breaks.
Among other types of rockets there is the normal "pop"-rocket, this particular type of rocket isn't especially ecxiting, yet a good way of practice.. Since the "break" or "pop" of this rocket is very small and, doesn't produce a lot of light, it can be captured on film in complete darkness. Again make sure to have a partner ight the rocket, and stand back a good 5 meters or so. This way the camera will pick up the sound much better. Film the rocket's ascend, in a slow and relaxed way.
Salute rockets / Shells.
Are best captured on a day with a clear sky, filming this type of firework is very easy. Turn your back towards the sun, have your partner light the firework and slowly build up momentum by slowly following the shell / rocket's ascend. Salutes over 5 grams are best captured in open areas, where you can hear the thunder rolling after the break.
Part #2
"Editing your footage"
Editing footage is also an important part of filming your firework.
Experiment with the light, you're the best judge of what looks good.
Also try and experiment with the sound, try and give the sound of salute a deeper bass for example. !Remember! the sound is just as important as the shape of the break and the colour of the stars. Some might call, editing the sound cheating.. But it depends on how you look at it.
More might follow, if wanted. :p
I'm danish, so i'm sorry for any spelling mistakes.
Hope you enjoy!