les112

The best public (free) vantage point is at Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, and the best vantage places that can be reserved by ticket are at Fort Denison, Midnight at the Oasis at the Fleet steps, the Lawn with a View near to the Opera House and the Mare and Foal Lawns at Farm cove. There are also boats and ferries with special cruises, which must remain outside the fireworks exclusion zone. Mrs Macquarie’s Chair has a challenge as there are many more people wanting to get there than there are places.
To help with planning and other photographic issues I have written an illustrated article at
http://www.artphototravel.net/the-pa...ney-fireworks/
Hope this helps

farrermog

Les - thanks - impressive photos and helpful info. Photo settings would be of interest, even for us mug photographers - something to consider for your book perhaps. Also, have you considered posting/ linking your trip reports to other Fodor's forums (perhaps I've missed them)?

farrermog

Sorry, by 'photo settings' I of course mean camera/ lens settings.

les112

Thanks for your reply and suggestion, I have not yet linked them to other Fodors forums. At present I am touring France, then to UK, and the Arctic for polar bears trying to improve and expand my portfolio. I am putting some on as time allows.
In regard to the fireworks photo taken from Dover heights,it was canon 1d mk4, 500mm F4, at 4 secs at 800asa.

les112

Went to see the Sydney NYE fireworks from Fort Denison, the small rock island 1.4Km from the Harbour bridge and inside the boat exclusion zone.
Pros: Unhindered view of the fireworks, bridge, opera house and city skyline. Could feel the percussion of the exploding fireworks and hear the whoosh of the Roman candle fireworks. There was no visual obstruction from boats,or buildings etc. Relaxed uncrowded atmosphere with good personal space as there is a limit of 150 persons on the island. Great dinner. This is one of the top places for photographing and experiencing the fireworks display.
Cons: expensive, must book months ahead. It is 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 is 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.
exposure settings.
ISO at 800. For the not too bright fireworks 2-3 secs F9 to get image of the 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.