Settings for Fireworks shots

[Billy2001]

Hi. I will be going on a trip next week where there will be fireworks at night. I have a Canon 20D and I would like to capture the fireworks as best as I could. Can anybody tell me what settings I should use on my camera? Every time I take pics at night, the picture is blurry and streaky. If this is the case with a non-fireworks picture, I'm afraid of what my vacation pictures will turn out. Please help me.

I apologize in advance if I'm posting this on the wrong folder.

Thank you in advance.

Billy

[RTaylor]

a tripod for one is an absolute must
do a search on fireworks and see ones you think turned out good and look at the exif data that might be displayed.
It its not displayed, ask the photographer what they used.
I know theres a lot of shots on pbase with fireworks, try there if you dont find anyone here that might have those type of shots.
I think I used F11 when I shot mine but I would have to go back and check.
Also use continuous shooting mode, you are bound to get one out of that round that would turn out good.

[MasterRed]

Well, I live in Montreal where the fireworks festival(s) go twice a week for about a month and a half. I live in a penthouse on the 26'th floor. An unobstructed view. I do fireworks

I find the best results are obtained by.....

1: Use a tripod - really slow shutter speeds are used
2: Use a polarizer - bring out the colours
3: Use a remote trigger if possible - no shake for the camera
4: Manual focus - this kind of shot will screw with any auto focus system
5: Use apature priority mode. Use the computer to figure out shutter speed.I prefer to use F4 (or lower) to lessen the impact of other things in the shot. It also allows you to have a higher contrast with the dark sky. Using F11 will get you more streaking from the lights. Play.
6: Keep your display screen turned off. Stray light in these conditions can affect the exposure.

These steps get's me perfect results most of the time. I like to shoot these in raw, to minimise artifacting. I shoot a wider view to allow for croping.

Hope this helps.