Where to be for Skyfest's photo?

raphaelS

Hi,

I want to get good pictures of Skyfest on Saturday...
Last year, I choose to be on Dun Loaghaire pier... It was not over crowded so I had no trouble to put my tripod but it was too far... even with a 210 mm!

So this year I want to be closer but not in the middle of 1000000(?) guys... where would you suggest?

Thanks
Raphael

Samba

Samson had access to a roof along the quays and got some very nice shots last year, maybe he could take us on a field trip to this roof?


Would kill to get some nice firework shots!

Samson

Originally posted by Samba
Samson had access to a roof along the quays and got some very nice shots last year, maybe he could take us on a field trip to this roof?

That was the year before last, I was on the roof of the City Arts Centre, which is now closed.
I only managed to get up there because my brother knew the guy who was the keyholder at the time.
The year before that I was on the roof of someone's shed along John Rogerson's Quay.

If you want to get the classic shot you should park yourself and your tripod (south) quayside directly across from the Customs House at about lunch time on the day (bring about a dozen friends to surround and protect you and your tripod from the crush).
If you are using a 35mm camera you will need a 24mm lens to get the whole of the Customs House in the shot.
Personally I don't have the patience for that, but I know people who have done it and the shots are spectacular, if you can keep the tripod from getting kicked mid-exposure!

raphaelS

Well I wish I can have a spot across Custom House but I need some space for my tripod...

I was thinking about the toll bridge... but I don't know if there's a lot of people there?

Now if someone is kind enough to open is roof for me, I'll bring Pringles!?

Thanks
Raphael

If you are using a 35mm camera you will need a 24mm lens

Yes, I know I should have a 24...!

norma

I've done the get-there-early-with-the-tripod thing and I got some great shots. People were very considerate - apart from a couple of tired kids who accidentally knocked off the tripod legs once or twice, it was surprisingly easy to mind the tripod. And I only had one bodyguard! Most people had no camera and were just there to watch the show, which they could easily do from anywhere thereabouts, so I didn't have a problem with everyone crowding around where I was. I do think that directly across from the customs house is probably the one of the best places to be - the reflections in the water are gorgeous too.

raphaelS

Samson and Norma, do you have any photos online I can see?!

Thanks
Raphael

eth0_

I'd have a great view if I were in work that day, in Grand Canal Quay

norma

Raphael, it's a few years since I was at Skyfest and, unfortunately, it was before I knew anything about photography and was using an APS P&S.
Anyway, here's one I took - no digital manipulation was done. I only wish I'd had a wider lens and larger format film at the time.

raphaelS

Very nice Norma, apart from the obvious lack of wide angle, it's really nice... So you didn't use a tripod for that?

Maybe I can use 800 or 1600 ISO and let the tripod at home...
I will do some research, it might be easier... I think I can have enough light rolleyes:

If I don't go under 1/30 I'm sure I can hold the camera still

Raphael

Slaanesh

One year I was on the top of that power station, what's it called ..... ? Moneypoint I think is it's name. Great view

Slaanesh

norma

Raphael,
I did have the camera on a tripod. I may have been using a P&S, but I knew that much at the time! I think the shutter speeds were in the order of ~1 sec with 400 speed film.
Not go under 1/30 second? If you don't, you're not going to catch the movement of the fireworks through the sky, which usually makes the best fireworks photos. I strongly advise that you use a tripod, unless you're looking for artistic handshake!
Will you post some pics here next week? I'm out of the country for Paddy's day the second year in a row - would be nice to see what you're all up to at home!

Samson

Originally posted by raphaelS
Samson and Norma, do you have any photos online I can see?!

Thanks
Raphael

If I have time before Saturday, I'll scan in some fireworks shots and post them up.
I did have a few scanned in and stored on my slave HD but it died on me recently.
The only fireworks related shot that I have anywhere online is this one, which was actually taken when the display was finished and the crowd were starting to move away, from aforementioned shed roof.


Also, as Norma says, I would not use fast film. What you want are long exposures with a tripod, aim to capture about three bursts of fireworks per frame (cover lens with a black card between bursts), using an aperture of f11 or f16.
Don't bother with taking a meter reading.

raphaelS

Nice one Samson...!

Ok, you won I will take my tripod... but I think I might do so test some artistic handshake (like the panning I've done http://d30.savina.net/night.htm). Promise I'll post some next week...

Thanks
Raphael

Here is what I got last year, 210mm and 4sec at f/7.1 .

Samson

Originally posted by raphaelS
...Here is what I got last year, 210mm and 4sec at f/7.1 .

That's actually a good shot, other than being too far away.
I think I might go out there if it's a clear night and bring my 600mm with me

The Cigarette Smoking Man

Originally posted by raphaelS
I was thinking about the toll bridge... but I don't know if there's a lot of people there?

Don't go near the toll bridge - the wind usually blows down that way and you'll end up in a thick smog before it's over.

Samson

I took the liberty of cropping your shot, I hope you don't mind, just to show how effective that photo is.

raphaelS

Well be there early, before the sunset, and bring also something wide...!

This was taken in May last year...

Raphael

raphaelS

Thanks Samson, I don't mind positive criticism...
And you're right this is better cropped (or I should have a 600mm!)...

norma

It's interesting to see the different perspectives posted here so far: a contextual shot of the fireworks over the city, a closer shot with just the Customs Hse, and the crowd that was in attendance. Looking forward to seeing new shots next week!

raphaelS

here is one of my skyfest's shots...
Overall I'm not happy, mostly because I need a cable release!

Nice fireworks though!

Raphael

norma

Raphael,
That's pretty cool. Now I know I've been away from home too long because I can't figure out where this was taken from!
Norma.

raphaelS

Hi, I was on the south side of the river, facing the IFSC (financial business park) and I was looking the toll bridge...

It might have been better from the bridge but it was closed, only some photographer with big white lenses (:rolleyes: ) were on the bridge...

Raphael

Samson

Originally posted by raphaelS
here is one of my skyfest's shots...
Overall I'm not happy, mostly because I need a cable release!

Very nice, but as you say a cable release is needed along with a tripod.
One thing I could suggest, as I know the cable release for the D60 is very expensive. There are two self timer settings on the camera, a 2 second and a 10 second, just use the 2 second timer function in place of the cable release. 2 seconds should be enough for the vibration to die after hitting the shutter release.
Obviously this only works if you are exposing for up to 30 seconds, anything after that you need to use bulb and keep your finger on the shutter release.

Lionel Vinyl

raphaelS

Yes I know about the 2 sec timer, you get that if you use the lock mirror cf...
But saturday, I had the D30 on the tripod and used the bulb because I had more control like that... but I needed a cable release because I moved the camera on some shots when I released the shutter... it's my fault, it was very cold and my fingers were almost frozen!
And I got sunburn on the face today at the parade... what kind of hobby is that!

Talking about nice cable release, I like the TC 80 N3... and all the different timing options give some ideas.

Raphael