THE THINGS I DO…

I posted a very successful item last year about how I shoot fireworks photos. That link is here. Before you run off to read that, I’d like to add a few more tips to try this year in your pursuit of the perfect fireworks photo.

• Do your homework. Scout out the location and get into position while it’s still light outside. Parking is always a nightmare. Go early. Take a book and some refreshments.
• Bring a flashlight. It will come in handy to find your stuff when you drop it during the frenzy of shooting. Believe me, after searching the ground on your hand and knees for ten minutes looking for your @#$%^ car keys in the middle of a pitch-dark field, you’ll remember to bring a flashlight next time! Also, tape a red gel filter to the front of it so you won’t ruin your “night vision” whenever you turn the flashlight on.
• Set the focus to “manual” and crank it out to the “infinity” setting (that’s the one you use to shoot mountains and other far away stuff).

That should freshen up my earlier post with some new bits for you to read and heed. Remember, if the fireworks are aimed at you, you’re probably in the wrong location! Be safe.

(Fireworks photo courtesy Scott Robinson)

I’ve done quite a bit of posting lately. Now it’s your turn. How do you keep your camera steady when you don’t have a tripod handy? To get the ball rolling, I’ll share what I use for those times when I don’t have three carbon fiber legs handy….the lowly beanbag.

Yep, I dragooned one of my kid’s toys years ago and converted it into a quick and easy camera-steadying device. I just line up my shot, find a suitable, stationary spot and plop down the bag, then the camera. After checking the viewfinder to finetune my composition and make sure none of the beanbag is in the shot, I get to work. My beanbag measures about 6 inches in diameter, by the way, so it’s easily stowed in my “go” bag. 

Okay, I shared, what works for you?

God, this sounds like a topic for a sex column…it isn’t. I recently completed a photo trek through West Virginia and used my new Kirk ball head (mentioned earlier here). I’ve gotta say it was the best experience I’ve ever had with three legs (hmmm, maybe this is a sex column…). Anyway, setting up the ‘pod whenever I found a shot was truly effortless. The ball head adjusted quickly and small adjustments could be made with a degree of precision I’ve never experienced before. Who’da thunk it? I’m an old photojournalist not used to using a tripod for my daily assignments. Not any more. The tripod just became an integral piece of gear for all my shoots.