How To Make Sparkler Messages

Two days ago, I shot a beautiful wedding in Roseville, CA. After the sparkler send-off, I had the bridesmaids finish with some messages to the couple with the leftover sparklers. Since the 4th is just around the corner, here's how to do them:

*Use a tripod
*Set camera mode to M (manual)
*Set f/stop to f5.6
*Set shutter speed to 4" (4 seconds) or slower (make the shutter speed faster for more defined words)
*Set white balance to Tungsten
*Make sure everyone writes their letters backwards!

Have fun!


© 2011 nicole hill gerulat, all rights reserved.
posted

34 comments:

  1. KatieJune 27, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    i love making these! one of my favorite things about the 4th of July.

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  2. katie [the bright life]June 27, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    Amazing!! These are so clear and crisp, well done! And thanks for the tips, maybe I'll have to give this a try next weekend! Happy Monday! Xo, Katie

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  3. AndiJune 27, 2011 at 12:11 PM

    This is amazing, thanks so much for the tip !
    Andrea

    PS: I bought my Canon DSLR camera today, my first DSLR ever, and I am so excited !! A big thanks to you for inspiring me through your blog, reading it has been a big part of realising how much I loved photography and how much I wanted to learn it ! As soon as it arrives I'm signing up for a course in London x

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  4. ElaineJune 27, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Those are amazing. Thanks so much for posting :)

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  5. EmilyJune 27, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    That is SO COOL! Now if only I had a fancy camera to do this with. I'm bookmarking it for future reference!

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  6. RebeccaJune 27, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    These are so FUN! Thanks for the how-to!

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  7. Molly W.June 27, 2011 at 12:26 PM

    awe.some.

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  8. Ana DegenaarJune 27, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    I used to do that a lot. Love it.

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  9. ChelleseJune 27, 2011 at 1:40 PM

    Thanks for sharing. I don't know if my kiddos could pull it off. We'll have to wait a few years.

    Merci!

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  10. NuhaJune 27, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    oh my goodness, i love these!

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  11. lauraJune 27, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    can't wait to try this! are you going to come to florida to teach a photography class? i will beg if i have too :)

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  12. carlyJune 27, 2011 at 3:31 PM

    they turned out great with the sparklers! i love doing these- light painting as we call it over here! :)

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  13. Luciana MisuraJune 27, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    I shot sparkler words a few years ago with my husband's family, this is my favorite one "I Love You" http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucianamisura/48893064/

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  14. The Olive Tree BlogJune 27, 2011 at 4:40 PM

    THANK YOU FOR THIS!

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  15. Sécia MischkeJune 27, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    Fantastic idea! Thanks for sharing.

    ♥ sécia
    www.petiteinsanities.blogspot.com

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  16. karaJune 27, 2011 at 6:52 PM

    please tell me you did this at my wedding. if not, we're gonna have to re-live the day and have everyone get dressed up again just for the picture ;)

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  17. HollyJune 27, 2011 at 8:40 PM

    those girls did a good job, what a fun photographer you are :)

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  18. joyceJune 27, 2011 at 10:51 PM

    cool!!

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  19. Crystal DeverJune 28, 2011 at 12:02 AM

    You were here in Roseville?? Small world!

    Love that technique!!

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  20. MirandaJune 28, 2011 at 5:38 AM

    Oh wow, these are amazing!

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  21. janellemcJune 28, 2011 at 7:17 AM

    I was at that reception! Wish I knew it was you...I would have stopped and told you I love your blog and talent!

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  22. Wife and Husband WalkerJune 28, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    love the photo. I always try to do it and fail!!

    your email/interns isn't working (i'm a brand new sponsor). can you email me or help me out??!

    tawnee@planetgear.com

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  23. the Harris FamilyJune 28, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Is there an ideal ISO setting for this? - Thx from a former student!, Rinna

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  24. TrinaJune 29, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Just tried this with a flashlight and a remote since I didn't have a helper. I did have to try several times before getting it just right but love the results. Thanks!

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  25. trendybJuly 3, 2011 at 10:34 PM

    my naughty baby broke my canon camera again...if i use my flip video will it work, since i can go frame by frame to get a pic?

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  26. AnonymousJuly 4, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    I shared our experiment we did with your tips on http://www.stamperdog.com in the 4th of July post.

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  27. Jodie @ LukaMishJuly 5, 2011 at 12:21 AM

    Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing!

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  28. Eve MariaJuly 6, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    wow these are amazing! looking forward to trying them out :)

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  29. UnknownSeptember 29, 2011 at 12:52 AM

    This is amazing! Thanks for the tip :)

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  30. UnknownJuly 6, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    SO cool :D

    But I have one question...: Why should they write the things backwards?

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  31. nicole hill gerulatJuly 6, 2012 at 1:22 PM

    Hi Janni,

    Because from the camera/photographer's view, it will look right.

    N

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  32. UnknownJuly 6, 2012 at 1:51 PM

    Oh backwards in that way lol... Now THAT makes sense ;-)

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  33. AnonymousJuly 16, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    I love this! Have to try it. Thanks for sharing this festive activity!

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  34. ChandraDecember 16, 2013 at 9:42 PM

    Thank you for the help! I plan to try this ASAP!
    Chandra

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