Shutter control on Bonfire Night

I was invited this weekend to my next door neighbours for a bonfire party, so I went prepared with my Nikon D3100 camera the standard lens and my tripod in the hope I might get a few pictures of use to show examples of using my cameras bulb setting . The bulb setting is simply a function that allows the user to determine the amount the shutter is open by manually depressing the shutter release button holding it, then when you think you are ready you let go to shut the shutter, easy or so I thought. This function is best used with a release cable or remote control so as to reduce image blur but not having neither I used my tripod to aid as would need the camera as steady as possible to minimise any blur. I then set the lens to it's widest f stop to allow as much light in as possible and the ISO to 200 and attempted a few shots all in manual focus .At first I found it quite difficult to determine how long to open the shutter but after a little while I got the feel for it and was quite pleased with my efforts . I hadn't appriciated how difficult this shoot would be as your never too sure where the rocket will explode and then when to open and shut the shutter.
Health and Safety played a big part in this shoot , I had to make sure that my self and my equipment did not cause any hazards to any of the other guests and that I my self was a safe distance from them and the fire works. I set my tripod about 6 ft away from the other guests and about 20 ft from the fire works and started taking a few pictures.

Shutter speed 1.8sec , f4.5 , ISO 200 Focal length 27mm

Shutter speed 2.45sec , f4.5 ISO200 Focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 2.1sec, f4.5, ISO 200 Focal length 18mm

,

Shutter speed 1sec , f4.8, ISO 200 ,Focal length 32mm

Shutter speed 1 sec , f5 ,ISO 400 Focal length 30mm

There were two main difficulties with taking pictures of fireworks,  firstly every firework had a different brightness  so was very difficult to determine how long to have the shutter open . And secondly with the rockets your never to sure were they will expole . I'd been given some advise about taking shots of fire works , one to stand well back so to get the whole image of the firework and to open the shuter as soon as it exploded until it faded away. Both easier said then done. The two image above are my favorites ones the first one because it give the sense of the excitement and danger involved for bonfire nights , with the fireworks falling to the ground and the smoke filled air , your never too sure what will happen next . The second one is slighty closer up so the fire comes more into detail , you can see the sparks from it spitting out with the firework in the back ground the firework lighting up the sence.    

Shutter speed 1/2 sec, f5 , ISO400 , Focal Length 30mm

Shutter speed 0.62sec , f5 , ISO 400 Focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 1.25sec , f5 , ISO400 focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 1.25sec ,f5 , ISO 400 focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 1.3sec ,f5 , ISO 400 Focal length 18mm.

Shutter speed 1 sec , f5 , ISO 400 , Focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 1.4sec , f5 , ISO 400 , Focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 1.4sec , f5 , ISO 400 , Focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 1.5sec, f5 , ISO 400 , Focal length 18mm

Shutter speed 1/12sec f4.8, ISO 400 focal length 32mm

Shutter speed 1.3sec , f5 , ISO 400 , Focal Length 18mm

This first and last shots to me are the best of the night, you really get the feeling of being a child again seeing all the smoke drifting away and the fire work lighting up the sky as it explodes .  I managed to positon my camera so the firework exploded in the centre of the picture on both images . Now looking back at what I'd do diffently next time I think I would experiment more with the ISOsetting and opt for a smaller aperture to try to get a sharper image.