P#6 Q2b: Using, or Not Using, a Flash For Fireworks and Night Photography
Think about whether or not it makes sense to use a flash for night photography
Another part of the night photography equation seems to be whether or not to use flash. I asked Jim Zuckerman to talk about using, or not using, a flash. He explained why it's not a good idea.
A flash attachment and night photography usually don't mix
Jim Zuckerman: Well, that reminds me, one of the first photography tours I led was to the American Southwest -- many years ago; this was like in the '70's. My photography group all had our tripods, and we were waiting for the sunset at the Grand Canyon. This lady gets off a tour bus, walks up to the edge of the Grand Canyon, and she has a little point-and-shoot with -- remember flash cubes?
Audri Lanford: Yes.
Jim Zuckerman: Little tiny flash things that set on top of a point-and-shoot camera, and she set up her flash as if she was going to illuminate the Grand Canyon. Everybody in my photography tour group just cracked up. It was the funniest thing.
With fireworks, flash will have no effect. If you use a flash or don't use a flash, it will be irrelevant. It will have no effect at all.
Audri Lanford: Agreed.
You just mentioned point-and-shoot. Our listeners primarily have digital SLRs, but just in case, is there anything that people who have a point-and-shoot camera can do to photograph fireworks, or is that just beyond the capabilities of those cameras?
Jim Zuckerman: No, no, they can do it as long as they can vary their shutter speed. Some cameras don't allow you to control anything. They're strictly point and shoot. All you do is just push the button and that's it. In that case -- it so depends upon the camera.
Most point-and-shoots are more sophisticated now, and they give you some control.
They may have just one lens or one zoom lens, but I still recommend being on a tripod. If they only have automatic, it just depends on how the automatic meter sees the firework. It will probably be okay, but it might tend to overexpose them.
Oh, one more thing I did not mention -- it's very important to shoot in RAW not JPEG. The reason is because JPEG files don't protect your highlights. It's too easy to wash out the color, whereas in RAW you have a lot of control with respect to exposure, and you'll get better results.
In conclusion
A flash is most likely useless for photographing fireworks, and in night photography more generally. Use a tripod, set your camera for an exposure using Jim's formula, and shoot in RAW rather than JPEG.
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