Fireworks: Shifting Focus
By minka
13 Feb 2009
Mission: JPG's Photo Challenge: Fireworks
Date: July 4th, 2008
Equipment: Canon 5D body, Canon EF 180mm F/3.5L macro lens
Agent background: urban night photography specializing in macro work
(hover over image for title)
Field report:
Wind conditions were mild, husband was present as mission observer and security agent. We staked our claim near the roped off shrapnel border on the south end of the parking lot approximately one hundred yards from the launch site. With the 180mm lens and tri-pod in-tow, this was a good spot to fill the frame with fire. The first explosion was recorded at 21:29 hours with the final 155th frame recorded at 21:54 hours.
Documentation commenced with f-stop settings at f-5.6 and f.89, 100 ISO (unchanged for the duration of the shoot). All images exposed between 1 and 6 seconds with focus manipulation throughout.
The first few shots taken were fairly crisp and had the overall characteristics of traditional firework documentation (fireworks 34). I decided to run some tests shifting focus for the next few on f.8 for 6 seconds, while slowly turning the focus ring to infinity. The rich, soft qualities were amazing! I was thrilled by these new shapes in movement and color. The experiment continued with fervor as my hubby kept watch; I was engrossed.
The subjects began taking on botanical and marine-like qualities (fireworks 33), giving way to subtleties of mountain and sea. Feathery elements appeared in shots taken as the sparks fizzled out, with light fanning at the tips during last second when I quickly spun out of focus (fireworks 38). "Fireworks 67", is a personal favorite, and produced a delightful treat as I rotated the ring into focus. This was a truly blossoming incident with luminescent particles like fairy dust peppering the sky.
The main essay photo, "fireworks 74", and "fireworks 99", are excellent examples of the botanical results. The former was focus-shifted from infinity, and the latter was shifted to infinity, so that the outer edges were sharp. "Fireworks 74" was a single second exposure at so I had to shift focus fast and not knock the tri-pod. Other captures revealed a fabric-textured uniqueness while sparks crossed each other (fireworks 82). "Fireworks 59" filled the frame wonderfully and I enjoyed the palette of the firework as it painted the frame during its second-long exposure. But perhaps the most abstract record of the evening was the 113th shot, due to its bulbous, flame-like quality, crowned by a solo aperture star in the center. It doesn't even appear to have ever been a firework. Fireworks 47 and 31 rounded out my experiment, offering interesting characteristics, but there were many other oddities that happened that night not exhibited here.
To conclude, I consider the assignment a total victory for having gained a fresh perspective. I've never seen fireworks shot this way and I consider it an asset of my skills. I've taken it to the streets beneath the moon where I continue to shoot pretty much anything emitting luminescence. I'm happy to share my findings with like minds, and I'll be out there next year, as many of you might be, tracking those explosions through the sky. Please, share what you've done and revel in new discoveries!
21 responses
-
Marco Martinez gave props (13 Feb 2009):
Awesome!
-
Michelle Taylor gave props (24 Feb 2009):
These photos are wonderful! Very unique perspective.
-
Alexandru Valentin Iedu gave props (16 Mar 2009):
WOW... full of beauty and wonderful colours !!! Interesting story and interesting presentation !!! I like it ... my vote for sure ...
-
Becky Kiil said (24 Jun 2009):
This series is fantastic! Seriously well done.
-
Ben Richards said (26 Jun 2009):
Sensational! In fact I'd love to buy a screen saver package of these pics from you. :-)
-
Lesley Williamson gave props (26 Jun 2009):
Fantastic idea and photos! Thank you for sharing! :)
-
Phil Kroll said (26 Jun 2009):
Great, well done.... Took me a sec to figure out how you managed the effect.... start sharp, pull focus with slow exp. Very neat..... Brava. Nice to have the 5D too.
-
Phil Kroll gave props (26 Jun 2009):
Good for you... Nice and simple effect that no one would have thought of...
-
Phil Kroll added a link (26 Jun 2009):
-
Rey mos gave props (26 Jun 2009):
very interesting shots!
-
minka said (26 Jun 2009):
Thank you all for the wonderful treat in compliments! I'm happy that you have enjoyed the article and I hope you have trying it yourself-minka:)
-
Charidy Bunsa gave props (26 Jun 2009):
Straight up ROCKS!!!!!
-
Kim Pascu gave props (26 Jun 2009):
Really cool! voted
-
Phil Butera gave props (26 Jun 2009):
Awesome technique and amazing photos!
-
Mel Brackstone gave props (27 Jun 2009):
Magical work, so inspiring!!!
-
Alexandru Valentin Iedu gave props (27 Jun 2009):
Congratulation for "Story of the week" :)
-
Al Gieryna gave props (27 Jun 2009):
Super stunning photos, a very well done story.
-
Yves Rubin said (27 Jun 2009):
Superb idea, you've achieved a personal style on a much photographed subject. Well done!
-
Candace Porth said (27 Jun 2009):
Wow, really nice!
-
diana anderson gave props (29 Jun 2009):
fantabulous!! voted!
-
Kurt Brennan gave props (8 Jul 2009):
That's soooooooooooooooo coooooooooooooooooooooool. I must try this!
