I decided that this is the year I was going to figure out how to take good sparklers photos. The kind where you can write letters, words, symbols . . . . I was going to do it! So of course I turned to Pinterest and found a several good tips to get me started. HERE and HERE
Basically, turn to Manual
set your ISO at 100
crank up the f/stop (5.6 or higher)
set the shutter speed super slow (2" - 5") depending on how much writing needs to be done
and hold really, reallly still. A tripod is good, but I just knelt on the ground with one knee and set my elbow on the other knee. And held my breath.
ISO 100 shutter 3"2 f/8.0
Circles! I love the sparkler flare that comes off the streaks of light.
ISO 100 shutter 3"2 f/8.0
ISO 100 shutter 3"2 f/8.0
Conner tried out some shapes. When you finish making a shape or letter it's important that you hold the sparkler still at the end. That way you don't get trails of light that having nothing to do with the shape you're creating.
ISO 100 shutter 3"2 f/8.0
Now some letters. You'll see that in Anna's photo she did not hold her sparkler still at the end, which resulted in those snaky trails of light.
ISO 100 shutter 2"5 to 3"2 f/8.0
Conner also tried to write his name. This is pretty tricky because you have to write in cursive . . . backwards. He was close! Also, you need to make sure you walk in a horizontal line as you're writing -- no pivoting to the side or else your letters will end up very squished.
ISO 100 shutter 5" f/8.0
It was super fun! I can't wait to try again next year!
