How to Photograph Fireworks Displays
Do you want to know how to photograph fireworks? With 4th July just days away I thought I’d refresh this article in which I give 10 Fireworks Photography tips to help you get started.
Fireworks Displays are something that evoke a lot of emotion in people as they are not only beautiful and spectacular to watch but they also are often used to celebrate momentous occasions.
I’ve had many emails from readers asking how to photograph fireworks displays, quite a few of whom have expressed concern that they might just be too hard to really photograph. My response is always the same - ‘give it a go - you might be surprised at what you end up with’.
My reason for this advice is that back when I bought my first ever SLR (a film one) one of the first things I photographed was fireworks and I was amazed by how easy it was and how spectacular the results were. I think it’s even easier with a digital camera as you can get immediate feedback as to whether the shots you’ve taken are good or not and then make adjustments.
Of course it’s not just a matter of going out finding a fireworks display - there are, as usual, things you can do to improve your results. With 4 July just around the corner I thought I’d share a few fireworks digital photography tips:
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1. Use a Tripod
Perhaps the most important tip is to secure your digital camera to something that will ensure it doesn’t move during the taking of your shots. This is especially important in photographing fireworks simply because you’ll be using longer shutter speeds which will not only capture the movement of the fireworks but any movement of the camera itself. The best way to keep your camera still is with a tripod (read our series on tripods and how to use and buy them). Alternatively - keep in mind that there are other non Tripod options for beating camera shake.
2. Remote Release
One way to ensure your camera is completely still during fireworks shots is to invest in a remote release device. These will vary from camera to camera but most have some sort of accessory made for them. The other way of taking shots without touching your camera is to use the self timer. This can work but you really need to be able to anticipate shots well and its very very hit and miss (read more on remote shutter releases).
3. Framing Your Shot
One of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge you’ll face in doing this is that you generally need to aim your camera before the fireworks that you’ll be photographing goes off - anticipation is key. Here are a few points on getting your framing right.
- Scope out the location early - Planning is important with fireworks and getting to the location early in order to get a good, unobstructed position is important. Think about what is in the foreground and background of your shots and make sure you won’t have people’s heads bobbing up into your shots (also consider what impact you’ll have on others around you also). Take note of where fireworks are being set up and what parts of the sky they are likely to be shot into - you might also want to try to ask some of those setting up the display for a little information on what they are planning. Also consider what focal lengths you might want to use and choose appropriate lenses at this time (rather than in the middle of the show).
- Watch your Horizons - One thing that you should always consider when lining up fireworks shots is whether your camera is even or straight in it’s framing. This is especially important if you’re going to shooting with a wide focal length and will get other background elements in your shots (ie a cityscape). Keeping horizons straight is something we covered previously on this site and is important in fireworks shots also. As you get your camera on your tripod make sure it’s level right from the time you set up.
- Vertical or Horizontal? - There are two main ways of framing shots in all types of photography, vertically (portrait) or horizontally (landscape). Both can work in fireworks photography but I personally find a vertical perspective is better - particularly as there is a lot of vertical motion in fireworks. Horizontal shots can work if you’re going for more of a landscape shot with a wider focal length of if you’re wanting to capture multiple bursts of fireworks in the one shot - but I don’t tend to go there that often.
- Remember your framing - I find that when I photograph fireworks that I spend less time looking in my viewfinder and more looking at the sky directly. As a result it’s important to remember what framing you have and to watch that segment of the sky. Doing this will also help you to anticipate the right time for a shot as you’ll see the light trails of unexploded rockets shooting into the sky.
4. Focal Length?
One of the hardest parts of photographing fireworks is having your camera trained on the right part of the sky at the right time. This is especially difficult if you’re shooting with a longer focal length and are trying to take more tightly cropped shots. I generally shoot at a wider focal length than a tight one but during a show will try a few tighter shots (I usually use a zoom lens to give me this option) to see if I can get lucky with them. Of course zoomed in shots like the one to the left can be quite effective also. They enable you to really fill the frame with great color. Keep in mind however that cropping of your wider angle fireworks shots can always be done later to get a similar impact in your photography.
5. Aperture
A common question around photographing fireworks displays is what aperture to use. Many people think you need a fast lens to get them but in reality it’s quite the opposite as the light that the fireworks emit is quite bright. I find that apertures in the mid to small range tend to work reasonably well and would usually shoot somewhere between f/8 to f/16.
6. Shutter Speed
Probably more important to get right than aperture is shutter speed. Fireworks move and as a result the best photographs of them capture this movement meaning you need a nice long exposure. The technique that I developed when I first photographed fireworks was to shoot in ‘bulb’ mode. This is a mode that allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you hold down the shutter (preferably using a remote shutter release of some type). Using this technique you hit the shutter as the firework is about to explode and hold it down until it’s finished exploding (generally a few seconds).
You can also experiment with set shutter speeds to see what impact it will have but I find that unless you’re holding the shutter open for very long exposures that the bulb technique works pretty well.
Don’t keep your shutter open too long. The temptation is to think that because it’s dark that you can leave it open as long as you like. The problem with this is that fireworks are bright and it doesn’t take too much to over expose them, especially if your shutter is open for multiple bursts in the one area of the sky. By all means experiment with multiple burst shots - but most people end up finding that the simpler one burst shots can be best.
7. ISO
Shooting at a low ISO is preferable to ensure the cleanest shots possible. Stick to ISO 100 and you should be fine.
8. Switch off your Flash
Shooting with a flash will have no impact upon your shots except to trick your camera into thinking it needs a short exposure time. Keep in mind that your camera’s flash will only have a reach of a few meters and in the case of fireworks even if they were this close a flash wouldn’t really have anything to light except for some smoke which would distract from the real action (the flashing lights).Switch your flash off.
9. Shoot in Manual Mode
I find I get the best results when shooting in manual exposure and manual focus modes. Auto focusing in low light can be very difficult for many cameras and you’ll end up missing a lot of shots. Once your focusing is set you’ll find you don’t really need to change it during the fireworks display - especially if you’re using a small aperture which increases depth of field. Keep in mind that changing focal lengths will mean you need to need to adjust your focusing on most lenses.
10. Experiment and Track Results
Throughout the fireworks display periodically check your results. I generally will take a few shots at the start and do a quick check to see that they are OK before shooting any more. Don’t check after every shot once you’ve got things set up OK (or you’ll miss the action) but do monitor yours shots occasionally to ensure you’re not taking a completely bad batch.
Also experiment with taking shots that include a wider perspective, silhouettes and people around you watching the display. Having your camera pointed at the sky can get you some wonderful shots but sometimes if you look for different perspectives you can get a few shots that are a little less cliche and just as spectacular. Most of the best shots that I’ve seen in the researching of this article have included some other element than the fireworks themselves - whether it be people, buildings, landmarks or wider cityscape perspectives.
More Tips from DPS Readers
- “Find Out the Direction of the Wind - You want to shoot up wind, so it goes Camera, Fireworks, Smoke. Otherwise they’ll come out REALLY hazy.”
- “Also, I find that if you shoot from a little further back and with a little more lens, you can set the lens to manual focus, focus it at infinity and not have to worry about it after that.”
- “Remember to take advantage of a zero processing costs and take as many pictures as possible (more than you’d normally think necessary). That way, you’ll up your chances of getting that “perfect” shot.”
- “Make sure you are ready to take pictures of the first fireworks. If there isn’t much wind, you are going to end up with a lot of smoke in your shot. The first explosions are usually the sharpest one.”
- “Get some black foam core and set your camera to bulb. Start the exposure when the fireworks start with the piece of foam core in front of the lens. Every time a burst happens move the foam core out of the way. You will get multiple firework bursts in one exposure”
- “Another tip I would add to this is pre-focus if possible (need to be able to manually focus or lock down focus for good) before the show starts so other elements in the frame are sharp They did mention that you only need to focus once but its a lot easier to take a few shots before the show starts and check them carefully rather than wait until the show has begun and you are fiddling with focus instead of watching fireworks!”
Tell us your fireworks display photography tips in comments below. Don’t forget to tell us which city you’re in and what the fireworks are like there!
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PS: Got some fireworks photos to share with us? Head over to our forum where there are a few fireworks discussions taking place.
Read more posts like 'How to Photograph Fireworks Displays'
I live in Vancouver and we’ve got the yearly international Festival of Lights (formerly Symphony of Fire) coming up.
I’m really looking forward to taking some photos this year :)
Who knows, maybe I’ll see some other DPS readers there!
I’m just waiting to try this out on Independence Day!
Looking forward to Canada Day this weekend. Thanks for the excellent tips!
Anyone have any good point-and-shoot specific tips?
don’t forget to post your photos over in the forum!
most important thing - survey the location, find the spot and be there early to reserve it.
Jennifer - I think most of the above will apply for point and shoot cameras when photographing fireworks. You might not have access to the aperture and shutter speed settings (although many p and s cameras now do) but the main thing will be to make your camera still and switch the flash off.
@Mick: While that seems like the best idea, sometimes it’s not. For one thing, I’ve seen some really creative fireworks photography that only happened because the photographer couldn’t get a decent view. If they had, their photos would’ve looked the same as everyone elses.
This next trick doesn’t work everywhere, but if you’re watching the fireworks at a beach at dusk, it can. It has for me for two years running now.
Show up about thirty minutes before the fireworks are set to start and slowly, politely navigate our way through all the beach blankets all the way down to the water.
The people at the front got here to set up hours ago… when the tide was higher. Now it’s much lower and there’s a good ten feet of clear dry sand in front of them. Set up and voila, no bobbing heads in your fireworks photos.
The past two years I’ve just been watching the fireworks. This year I’m taking my camera :)
I shot the “HSBC Celebration of Light” in Vancouver last year with Nikon F5 & velvia provia 100. Check my site.
I now have a Nikon D200.
Is there a differance in doing firework photography with a digital DLSR?
One additional tip: Look at the photos on this page. I believe that they are not randomly selected, but they are here because they are good fireworks shots. What’s common in them? Yes, almost all of them include spectators/surroundings. Follow that example.
@Charles:
I did check your site, those are good photos. The second one, where everything seems tinted light bluish-grey, is my favourite.
Where were you shooting from? It looks like it could be either Stanley Park-ish facing Kits or the other way around.
I haven’t done fireworks with film or digital, so I’m afraid I can’t offer any advice there :/
Wonderful Tips. Thank You !
That was a great post. I’ll be looking forward to using some of these tips this year. Thanks.
I got some really good pictures last year using these tips. Look forward to trying the same this year [if the fireworks are not canceled due to rains, here in Dallas].
Ah, nice timing - and good tips! Canada day is just around the corner :)
I HAVE TRIED LESS in this field. after going thro the above guidelines and tips i shall venture and expect to have nice results. thanks.
I just got a DSLR, whats “‘bulb’ mode” on a digital rebel xti?
@JT:
‘Bulb mode’ refers to the shutter speed. In bulb mode, the shutter stays open until you let go of the button.
Simple put yourself in a mode where you can control your shutter speed like Shutter Priority, Program, or Manual.
Adjust your shutter speed to longer and longer times. One notch past ‘30″‘ should be ‘BULB’.
That’s the one you want :)
Ahh there it is. Thanks for your help.
@JT:
No worries :)
I did take some snaps of fireworks with slow shutter and tripod. I use timeout mode instead of remote capture. Both of them reduce the camera shake during click.
one thing i would like to add is rather than going for shutter or aperture priority mode, manual is better as you can control the exposure also. some firework photographs are good when they are either underexposed or overexposed a little.
I hold a 350D and i didn’t try taking fireworks with p&s.
Another idea for shooting in bulb mode or with long exposures is to use a piece of black paper (or something similar) and hold it in front of the lens if nothing is happening. I think this however requires quite a dark location and it is of course key to not touch the camera as this would blur the picture due to movement.
Cheers. SJDK
Use a longer shutter speed than you need, and cover your lens with a piece of black card when there aren’t any fireworks in the air. That way, you get LOADS of fireworks in one picture - woo hoo!
thanks for the tips.. looking forward to this independence day to take some good shots!!
Some nice photos there, I look forward to trying some of these tips out in the Edinburgh festival fireworks.
I’m a new guy to this site and a beginner but I like the tips given. One question…the above article speak of using a zoom lens, is it possible to use a non-zoom wide angle lens to take the fireworks display? Thanks for the info.
Re: using non-zoom lens - of course it’s possible! Your options for framing your shots will be somewhat less, with no zoom capability, but that won’t stop you from getting good pictures of fireworks. If i were you I’d try to go early and find a location from which your non-zoom lens will cover the area you want to capture.
I am planning on being in North Vancouver tonight to photograph the Canada Day fireworks in Vancouver, This way I will (hopefully) get good shots of the Vancouver skyline in my fireworks shots. Will be using my Pentax DSLR, sturdy Slik tripod, remote release cable, and my Tamron 18-200 zoom lens, but will also have my Sigma 135-400 just in case I want to use that. Bulb mode and a remote release are essentials for good fireworks photography. Also, by shooting from North Vancouver, I don’t have to pay the ridiculous ticket price to watch the fireworks from Canada Place.
What effect, if any, will leaving the viewfinder open have on a timed exposure? Will any light be able to enter?
Have not yet read all. Will study all and try tomorrow night JULY 4th. THANK YOU for the tips
do u just set camera at place where last firework exploded or do u follow it up as it shoots into sky?i set it in 1 place and didnt get 1 full explosion just partials. and to say its easy i think thats unfair . u were prob very lucky first time u took pics or had lots of expiernce.i havent found it very easy .u never mention any thing about how close or far away u must be also . i was too close and didnt have time to pack up stuff and move back away from works. bit i do appreciate all the hints u gave it helped a lot
I learn so much from this website. Too much to remember in fact. Thanks for 4th July tips.
I just took some fireworks photos for the first time. NikonD50, ISO200, 4 Seconds…..found a lot with some type of reflection or glare on parts of the image, what did I do wrong?
Hi, Thanks for the information. Boston’s 4th has about 500,000 people and over 10,000 fireworks Thanks for your help!
Puplet-
I don’t understand covering up the lens with a black card in between the fireworks. How does that work? Thanks!
hi everyone
its amazing the great stuff we learn on the web
well thanks for the tips i am an AP photographer who has dabbled over the years with Digital and 35mm cameras.
I just recently upgraded to my best camera , the kodak Z612 (yahhh i know not the BEST camera) but it takes some amazing shots (see this one at this link
http://www.mainelyfilez.com/coppermine/albums/cascobay/100_1077.JPG
i was thoroughly impressed with this, i am using pentak ??? lens and aside from the slight blur on the outside edges (not sure why)anyways i digress
i love this camera and its got some killer MANUAL settings, although im still scratching my head on some i find that with that shutter open long i get some neat shots, heres my question
I have F.# which i know is aperture
I have shutter speed (as this goes up (longer) it changes the exposure level automaticly
so lets say i shoot a night scape with NO FIREWORK (like this one at
http://www.mainelyfilez.com/coppermine/albums/davis/100_0663.JPG
and the exposure and shutter is going to change dramaticlly once the firework bursts in the sky right (as the light changes) ok so i can set it at a MAX of 16.0 seconds, which i guess is good, im going to a mountaintop early tonight where a special area is setup for media only
i will shoot the city lights with the fireworks overhead
one thing i always shake my head at, lets say the shutter is open for mmm 8 seconds, wouldnt all that light be a blur, i have shot traffic at night and its a wild blur because of movement,
like this shot
http://www.mainelyfilez.com/coppermine/albums/lewiston/100_0067.JPG
also i shot the shots you see at the links with iso 80 is htat too low
thanks for all the help (and yes i will ahve my tripod :)
Jay
AP
Haven’t seen any advice about where to set the WHITE BALANCE: auto, daylight, tungsten? I’ll be photographing my first fireworks tonight with a Canon 20D. Thanks to all for the helpful tips.
That was really helpful to me! I’m just starting out and fireworks have always intimidated me…thanks for the tips!
Thank you, your advise has been very helpfull.
you did great, thanks for the wonderful tips! i really love to capture fireworks moment!
@frank: Do not try to follow the fireworks as they go up. Keep the camera still, pointed at the spot where most of the fireworks are exploding. Keep the shutter open until you get some good bursts then close it. Aperture between f/8 and f/16 is best, as noted in the article. If you’re far enough away from the fireworks, you can put the camera on manual focus and set the focus to infinity so you don’t have to worry about that.
@Michael: Were there bright streetlights nearby (to your side or even behind you)? Solution to that is to use a lens hood. You may have also overexposed lights that you might not have considered important. Keep the shutter open long enough to catch some good bursts but not so long that every other light in the picture is burnt out.
I have a Canon digital camera that have a “fireworks” mode. Is that better to use this function or to use an ISO100 exposure?
Thanks for the advices.
I’ll use them the next time there are fireworks in my area.
Greetings from Macedonia!
I’m going to definitely try these tips tonight here in Palmdale, CA..looking forward to taking some good shots.
Thanks for the Tips
Cant Wait for Tonight =]
@Elrey: I’d avoid auto. It’ll be resetting each shot, so objects in the foreground will be different colours in each shot.
Personally I’d go with daylight (strange as it sounds) or tungsten. If you’re shooting in RAW, you don’t need to worry about it though. Just leave it on whatever and do the white balancing in your RAW processing software later.
@CGH: It’s really up to you. Not using fireworks mode gives you more manual control over each shot. I’d say not using it will result in better photos, but it’ll require more work and a better understanding of how it all works.
I am going to try this tonight at the New York Fireworks display. Just have to decide where to shoot from - I like the Macys fireworks.
I can’t wait for the fireworks display here in New York tonight also! These fireworks tips are great and will help my photography. I’ll post my photographs in the forums.
well everyone
the shots were set to go
the tripod was setup and weighed down
a nice manual exposure setup and upwind
THEN…
It poured down rain, i think i got some good shots though im embarrased t oshow them as some enevitably have water spots on them :(
all the news guys were running for cover, i kept shooting with my wet weather shell lol
ill maybe post a link if its not TOO BAD
hope everyone had a great fourth
Jay
AP
I’m very new to my XTi so tonight was practice for me shooting some neighbors fireworks.
I missed every one of them because I couldn’t figure out Manual Mode. I had everything set up..bulb mode, f11, iso 100…It would NOT take a picture.
After all the works ended. I realized that there’s a switch on my lens to switch it from auto-focus to Manual. Flipped that over and voila…it started taking shots.
Uggggh.
@Jason: *laughs* The same thing almost happened here, they canceled the pro fireworks because of threat of rain and lightning - but everyone in my neighborhood was setting off GOBS of home fireworks, so I think I got some good shots anyway. I’m downloading now - hope to post tomorrow!
Darren, thank you SO MUCH for this post! I had wonderful fun with this!
Thanks for this informative article! I used your tips and got the best fireworks shots I’ve ever taken!
http://flickr.com/photos/ktpupp/sets/72157600653511447/detail/
I’ve always gone the wrong direction and thought I needed ISO 1600 and a wide open aperature because it’s dark outside. Needless to say, going the other direction definitely works better!
-=kt=-
great work ktpupp - there are some nice fireworks shots there. Glad the tips were helpful.
Well, I went out and did it…I shot our local fireworks display after reading this page and the Author was right, I was rewarded with better success than I anticipated. Thank you for the tips (I came across the link on the Yahoo! home page). I will definately return here for mor study.
Click link for results ~
http://www.mynetimages.com/43f99276_md.jpg
Thanks for the AWESOME tips! I had a great time shooting the local fireworks last night, and had an amazingly large group of “keepers” when I was done.
Here’s my set (all but the last two are from last night):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/passingobsessions/sets/72157600663850518
THANK YOU!! :-)
Wish I found this article earlier!
Great sample shots included with the article.
Great tips! Check out my fireworks set…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gmdphotos/sets/72157594232322143/
As a first timer to shoot the city’s fireworks at the lake, I reread your tips several times, since I’m the weakest link in our little photography group. I want to post a couple and get comments, how/where is the post for this Fourth fireworks to show them?
Thanks for all the info., my only advice after doing the do, is easy on the bulb.
fogsiste
are you referring to WHERE you put photos, cause if thats what im hearing you host them somewhere
and provide a link, im sure you did great
cant wait to see the photos
Jay
Something fun to play with using an open shutter is a fill flash on an image in the foreground (a flag for instance). Manually fire your strobe while the shutter is open and adjust the power to properly expose the object while still maintaining fireworks exposure.
What great photos and useful tips. How about then adding a commentary and turning a series of still shots into a movie with your own voice talking about them?
Check out how on http://www.digitalstorytellingworld.com
Check out HSBC Celebration of Light 2007 - Spain
http://racethewind.ca/hsbc07spain
Going to be shooting my very first fireworks tonight with my new Digital SLR Nikon DX40 and im a bit confused still hahaha.
Has anyone own a Nikon and if so if you have shot fireworks do you remember what you put your settings at ;0
thanks
@Abe: I suspect you’re in Vancouver, then? I’ll keep an eye out for you at English Bay! :P
Well, I gave it a try at the beach of The Hague (Netherlands) this evening.
Here are the results of my first attempt:
http://flickr.com/photos/mennovdhorst/tags/fireworks/
I can’t afford a camera or a lens that would do that. :(
I know this is a bit late but here are my pictures for Canada’s presentation at HSBC Celebration of Light Vancouver
http://racethewind.ca/hsbc07canada
After looking at hundreds, if not thousands, fireworks photos I felt that f/16 allows for the best exposure for color in fireworks. Using f/16 along with ISO 100 allows the shutter to be kept open as long as needed. So, the shutter is simply set to Bulb and left open till the frame is assumed filled with bursts. This was my first time photographing fireworks and I could not be happier.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hueyatl/sets/72157594186516030/
Thanks for this, fantastic article! We just had Guy Fawkes Night in the UK and I brought my camera, which is just an inexpensive HP point-and-shoot, but I was really impressed with how they came out!
I’m sorry to be so picky, but I’m a little disappointed in your glossing over shutter speeds in the article - trying different bulb speeds will probably work, but it’s a bit hit and miss. Perhaps you could provide some examples linking brightness at the peak of the firework and the shutter speed+F-stop.
Great little article - and I’m glad one of my photos has been selected :) The main thing for me has been scouting out a location in Sydney. Fireworks for NYE are very popular so you gotta plan and get there early :)
Dont get too caught up in the settings people. Just give it a go and follow your photographic instinct. It really is alot easier than you think.
Figured this out through experimentation, and unfortunately I didn’t have a tripod but used a stone wall instead. Here’s how it came out: http://www.seanhenri.com/albums/2007/07/derbyshelton-fi.html
Great tips though!
everytime i turn on my cxamera it ejects the battery what do i do?
i need soon tips!!
I make some good pictures on this NY using these tips :)
Thanks for your article!
I live in Dubai and currently we are having Dubai Shopping Festival. I am getting good opprtunity to take good photos especially FIREWORKS.
Thanks for the Goods TIPS.
THIS MAY BE a little off the subject…
I’ve been trying to capture falling stars on my camcorder.
Only the brightest of the brightest show up.
Changed settings across the board with varied results.
Is there any lenses etc. that may help. Could there be a camcorder that is better for this purpose maybe. 1st time here and I’ve learned a few things that might work.
Regards
LR
i have learnt a lot about photographing a firework and wish to give a try thank you very much and well done.
I have done firework photography many times.But most of the time its a failure.I hope this will not happen as i will try the above.Thanks
To me most important thing would be to select the place from where the picture is to be taken.After that we can try your tips.
Thought I’d share a few of my favorite fireworks shots from the past year:
http://www.amatterofmemories.com/2007/08/yankton-riverboat-days-fireworks.html
http://www.amatterofmemories.com/2007/07/4th-of-july-fun.html
I know this is an old post, but with the 4th just around the corner again, people should revisit this. The tips added from DPS Readers are helpful too. Especially checking the direction of the wind!
Thank you so much for the great tips! After many frustrating attempts, I finally was successful in capturing some fireworks!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sayuri30/2605951564/
Please take a look at this link http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm174/motownmadmann00/2008%20Targert%20Fireworks/
and let me know what you think of the photos i took of a recent fireworks display
This article helped me get some fantastic shots last year on the 4th, glad to see it was circulated up to the front page again for ‘08. It’s a nice refresher and should help me get some great stuff this go ’round. Cheers!
Here are some shots from last years Hillsborough, NH Hot Air Balloon Festival
http://www.petelanglois.net/gallery/3155268_cwdoz#173301845_AdjL7
This year’s Rock 101 WGIR FM Sky Show in Manchester NH
http://www.petelanglois.net/gallery/5023330_vL9wk#301594566_kBabv
And a few from last year’s sky show
http://www.petelanglois.net/gallery/3059491_HemR5#166677366_db27A
Spot on article, I was talking to someone this morning and we were wondering what would be the way to approach fireworks photography, thanks a lot for the hints :)
can it create by pocket digital photo?
I am a licienced pyrotechnition and a I also camera nut. I technique that produces some neat shots is catching the opening salvo on time laps. Most pyrotechs launch one single shell roughly two to three minutes before the show starts…gives everyone the heads up to grab their seat.. watch for the glow of the flare..(it’s about to start) keep your frame wide enough to to catch the first shot…(the attention getter) this will let you know what part of the sky (most) will be exploding in. Definately use a tripod.. this will keep you lens trained on the desired spot ( after you locate it) then set you camera up for a 15 sec. shutter and snap as soon as the second shell goes up.. you should get about 20 couple shells in one frame.. sometimes it’s a mess ..sometimes it is spectacular.. good luck
I followed these 10 steps using a Nikon D300 and Tokina 10-17mm fisheye lens and couldn’t be happier. We were quite close to the show and had to protect ourselves and our equipment from falling debris.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kptyson/sets/72157605947069230/
I started a thread based on my results from reading this article. feel free to critique and add some of your own. A lot of my shots were experimental (for me) based on the article and wanting to try something new…
http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?p=219180#post219180
Thanks for the helpful article on photographing fireworks. I’ll be trying some of these tomorrow on the 4th.
Here are some good places to see fireworks: http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-fourth-july-fireworks.php
You tips for fireworks shooting are wonderful!
I can’t wait for darkness to fall on the 4th…
Keep up the great work, you ROCK!
thanks for a tips, its very helpful for me
Responding to the White Balance Question. His is tricky because there is no real white to speak off. The best thing to do is to shoot raw if you can, and set white balance in post.
If that is not an option for you, and I understand you may not have the software to work with RAW, you should use a lower temperature to capture the color more completely. However, the reds show up nicely and a higher temperature.
I am so excited to try these tips tonight. More than the food and the party, shooting the fireworks is what’s getting me all fired up. Thanks to Darren and everyone who have been patient enough to share!
It’ll be my first time to shoot in Manual mode so wish me luck =)
Happy 4th everyone. Cant wait to experiment with these new techniques. To see some of my shots, please check out http://www.sandnames.com
I’ll use my digital camera and a tripod to take pictures of the fireworks and the folks.
Timely. Thank you.
I am sure this July 4, like my every other July 4 before, I will be so into enjoying the fireworks that I will forget about photographing them.
I have a sony cybershot dsc-H5 and want to take good firework pictures but am camera dumb and I basically just use auto adjust setting. Does anyone know what setting it should be on for fireworks?
Happy 4th everyone.
Well I was all excited to try these settings, however I have yet to find a good reference book for the Canon 1Ds Mark III, which is almost about to put me in the nut house. Trying to figure this camera out from the manual only is killing me. LOL
Anyone have ideas for me at this late date relative to settings and so forth?
I,m from the Philippines. I’m a Nikon user. I agree that using a tripod during fireworks display gives excellent results. Sometimes we happened that tripods are not with us and the alternative is to shoot the event in the handheld position and i’ve tried this many times and it gives creative and artistic results especially when using the panning and zooming technique when the slow shutter speed still works in time of your exposure. Try it. Sometimes camera shakes makes appreciative results.
I used these techniques last night to photograph the 4th of July fireworks display, and they worked great. I just started learning how to use my DSLR (Olympus E-410), so I’m just a baby when it comes photography . . . this was my first time to use the camera not in Automatic mode! Still, I feel that some of my pictures turned out really well. Thanks for the great tips, I can’t wait to try more out!
I just wanted to say Thank you for this post. I followed your directions and was able to capture great pictures of the firework show last night. I am so very pleased. I set up my camera and did not have to change a thing when the show started. It was very exciting. SO thank you.
Thanks for all the great tips! My photos turned out a lot crisper than usual.
Great tips. I should have researched before the 4th. Always next year!
Thanks
Outstanding post ! As well as photographing the fireworks it’s also a good idea to photograph the peoples’ reaction to the fireworks … especially children.
Thanks once again.
This is an OUTSTANDING post!!!!!!
Its really superb…
I am gonna try this out on Diwali…
I followed the steps mentioned in this How-to and greatly benefitted. You can visit my fire work pictures here:
http://flickr.com/photos/arindam_soma/2637257850/
I wish I’d read this post a week ago. We had Riverfire in Brisbane last weekend with fireworks and an F111 jet.
The F111 flew low along the river then pulled up and ignited afterburners. It was awesome.