Fireworks paint an expansive artwork in the night sky
August 2023
Photographer / Yuki Mizota
It's been a while since I last went to a fireworks festival!
The equipment I used was the recently purchased Nikon Z 8 (hereafter referred to as Z8), and three lenses: the wide-angle zoom NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8, the standard zoom NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, and the telephoto zoom NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.
When I go to a place for the first time, I don't know the area and I have no idea where or how far I can take pictures, so I chose a lineup that covers the wide-angle to telephoto range.
When I bought the Z8, I also purchased a dedicated L-plate set from Markins (PN-Z8 + LN-Z8). This allows you to quickly switch between portrait and landscape orientations while shooting.
The tripod is a SIRUI ST-224 carbon fiber, and the head is a Markins Q3iTR-BK knob shoe traveler model.
The equipment I used was the recently purchased Nikon Z 8 (hereafter referred to as Z8), and three lenses: the wide-angle zoom NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8, the standard zoom NIKKOR Z 24-120mm f/4 S, and the telephoto zoom NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.
When I go to a place for the first time, I don't know the area and I have no idea where or how far I can take pictures, so I chose a lineup that covers the wide-angle to telephoto range.
When I bought the Z8, I also purchased a dedicated L-plate set from Markins (PN-Z8 + LN-Z8). This allows you to quickly switch between portrait and landscape orientations while shooting.
The tripod is a SIRUI ST-224 carbon fiber, and the head is a Markins Q3iTR-BK knob shoe traveler model.
The color and the feel of the installation are also nice. Since the roads and shooting locations are dark at night, I also prepared a headlamp. Since it hurts to shoot for an hour on my knees, I also prepared a small folding stepladder.
I didn't use the telephoto zoom, so it's not included.
I was in high spirits as I headed to the fireworks display, but the traffic was worse than I expected, and by the time I arrived at the venue, the mayor had already started his speech.
The moment I decided on the shooting location, the countdown began: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, start!!"
The fireworks were launched with a bang!
I was already excited, moved, and anxious because I hadn't prepared anything yet, so I started the fireworks with my heart shaking. Because of this, I forgot to take off the camera strap, but I didn't worry about small things and focused on the more important settings.
When shooting the fireworks, I set the shooting mode to M (manual) mode, BULB, and the aperture to F11-18. The exposure time was from the moment I heard the sound of the fireworks being launched to the moment the light trails, explosion point, and fireworks were fully opened, and I changed the aperture depending on the brightness of the fireworks. I wanted to capture as little light as possible, so I set the ISO sensitivity to 400. I set the white balance to sunny day and natural light auto.
And the image quality mode is raw only so that I can press the shutter immediately after shooting for a long time. I focus manually without using AF. Also, the picture control "Neutral" was suitable for expressing my favorite taste, the color of the fireworks, as well as the humidity and smoke gradation on the Z8.
I had imagined taking pictures by pressing the shutter on a smartphone while looking at the LCD monitor, but in reality I looked through the viewfinder to decide the framing to a certain extent, took my face away from the camera, and pressed and released the shutter button while watching the fireworks spreading in the night sky. It's an old style lol.
I like to take pictures of fireworks by moving the focus ring while shooting, as if I'm drawing art in the night sky.
I take pictures a little roughly without using a release, so the stable Markins, which fit the camera and plate and have a solid tripod head, are an essential item for shooting.
When adjusting the camera position vertically or horizontally, the center marks on the plate and head are easy to see, so I was able to set the camera without hesitation even in dimly lit places.
When you change the timing and speed of moving the focus ring, the various colors of light become fantastical, which is very interesting.
I'd like to take my Markins to another fireworks festival and take pictures ♫
The moment I decided on the shooting location, the countdown began: "5, 4, 3, 2, 1, start!!"
The fireworks were launched with a bang!
I was already excited, moved, and anxious because I hadn't prepared anything yet, so I started the fireworks with my heart shaking. Because of this, I forgot to take off the camera strap, but I didn't worry about small things and focused on the more important settings.
When shooting the fireworks, I set the shooting mode to M (manual) mode, BULB, and the aperture to F11-18. The exposure time was from the moment I heard the sound of the fireworks being launched to the moment the light trails, explosion point, and fireworks were fully opened, and I changed the aperture depending on the brightness of the fireworks. I wanted to capture as little light as possible, so I set the ISO sensitivity to 400. I set the white balance to sunny day and natural light auto.
And the image quality mode is raw only so that I can press the shutter immediately after shooting for a long time. I focus manually without using AF. Also, the picture control "Neutral" was suitable for expressing my favorite taste, the color of the fireworks, as well as the humidity and smoke gradation on the Z8.
I had imagined taking pictures by pressing the shutter on a smartphone while looking at the LCD monitor, but in reality I looked through the viewfinder to decide the framing to a certain extent, took my face away from the camera, and pressed and released the shutter button while watching the fireworks spreading in the night sky. It's an old style lol.
I like to take pictures of fireworks by moving the focus ring while shooting, as if I'm drawing art in the night sky.
I take pictures a little roughly without using a release, so the stable Markins, which fit the camera and plate and have a solid tripod head, are an essential item for shooting.
When adjusting the camera position vertically or horizontally, the center marks on the plate and head are easy to see, so I was able to set the camera without hesitation even in dimly lit places.
When you change the timing and speed of moving the focus ring, the various colors of light become fantastical, which is very interesting.
I'd like to take my Markins to another fireworks festival and take pictures ♫
Nikon Z 8 / NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S / F18 4s（BULB）ISO400 PCNeutral
Nikon Z 8 / NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S / F18 4s（BULB）ISO400 PCNeutral
Nikon Z 8 / NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S / F18 5s（BULB）ISO400 PCNeutral
Nikon Z 8 / NIKKOR Z 24-120mm F4 S / F18 4s（BULB）ISO400 PCNeutral
* If it does not play
Yuki Mizota
Graduated from Nihon University College of Art, Department of Film, Photography Course. Fascinated by a single shot in a scene, entered the world of photography after working as a tourist photographer in Hokkaido. After working as a photographer's assistant, went independent. Continues to take photos of cats, everyday life, and small scenes found while traveling. Involved in judging photo contests and teaching photography classes, mainly for camera magazines and books.
Nikon College Lecturer
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