2.2 Fireworks

• Set the camera on a tripod.
• Turn SteadyShot OFF.
• Set focusing to Manual and set the lens to focus at infinity. (This is best done using the Focus Magnifier for assistance.)
• Set the ISO to 100.
• Set white balance to Daylight.
• Manual Expsoure mode, and set the aperture to 5.6 (just to start out).
• Turn Long Exposure NR OFF so you can take the next picture right away.
• 2-second self-timer
• Set the shutter speed to 15 seconds. You can set it for longer to capture additional fireworks bursts, but setting it for too long will cause the sky to turn grey and everything else will be overexposed.
• Sometimes it is helpful to include something in the foreground in the composition to get a sense of place.

Check your initial pictures. If they appear overexposed, set the aperture to a higher number (like f/8 or f/11). If they appear underexposed, set it to a lower number (like f/3.5).

2.3 Artistic Waterfalls

We’ve all seen them – Waterfalls which have a kind of fluid quality to them. How is this done? Well, we all know that using a fast shutter speed will freeze things, and we also know that using a slow shutter speed will make everything that is moving appear blurry. In the picture only the water is moving (while the rocks and vegetation stay still), and using as slow a shutter speed as possible will give it the effect of smooth movement.

• Use a tripod. Turn SteadyShot off only if your tripod is rock-solid.
• Set ISO to the lowest value you can (a low sensitivity extends exposure).
• Set Exposure mode to “A” and choose the smallest f/stop (the highest number) you can.
• To have the camera merge several frames together (for even smoother waterfalls), go to the ISO menu and invoke Multi-Frame Noise Reduction.
• In situations like the example picture above where you’re surrounded by greenery, underexpose by about 1 stop. Vegetation reflects back much less than 18% of the light!

If you have a circular polarizer or a neutral density (grey) filter, put that in front of the lens. This will slow down the shutter speed even further.

TIP: Yes, you can download (and pay for) an app that does the same thing – but really, in this case it’s a waste of money. The settings above will produce the same results!