Fort Denison ready for the 2012 NYE fireworks
Sydney NYE fireworks 2011 from Fort Debnison
This is an Update to Sydney NYE Fireworks
Went to see the Sydney NYE fireworks from Fort Denison, the small rock island 1.4Km from the Harbour bridge and within the boat exclusion zone. This is one of the top places to be for the Sydney New Years fireworks display, and it lived up to my expectations. From the ramparts and from the landing pier, I had an unhindered view of the fireworks display, the harbour bridge, opera house and city skyline. I could feel the percussion of the exploding fireworks and hear the whoosh of the Roman candles as they formed a golden waterfall for the climax of the evening. There was no visual obstruction from boats, or buildings etc. The New Years eve party on Fort Denison was relaxed and had substantial personal space as there was a limit of 150 persons on the island. There was a sumptuous dinner with quality champagne and great wine.
This is one of the top places for photographing and experiencing the fireworks display.
Drinks on the lawn Fort Denison 2012 NYE fireworks
The disadvantages were.
♦It was expensive, and I had to book months ahead. Booking can be made at enquiries@tecatering.com.au.
♦It was difficult to get to the shuttle boat from Campbell’s cove wharf due to the large crowds on the foreshores even at 5pm, some 2 hours before the boat was scheduled to leave. There was also a lack of instructions as where to go etc. and the local security guards knew nothing about the shuttle boat.
Photographic background for Sydney NYE fireworks from Fort Denison.
♦Best place for unhindered view: On jetty near first pylon.
♦Best lenses:
i)16-35mm to include bursting fireworks and opera house and harbour bridge. But opera house is too far detached for intimate composition. Best vantage point for overlapping Opera house and bridge is has opera house is at midnight at the oasis.
ii)35-7mm zoom. This gives good view of the bridge and fireworks near bridge ( ie the waterfall) but the star burst fireworks are out of the frame as they are above you.
♦ Tried fisheye 8-15mm,but bridge too small.
♦Exposure examples. ISO at 800. For the not too bright fireworks 2-3 secs F9 to get image bridge. For general exposures 2-3 sec at F11. For the very bright fireworks need to go up F22 not to overexpose fireworks and extend exposure to 5 sec to expose bridge.
