Independence Day in the U.S is a huge holiday and an extremely large number of people will be out celebrating. The best part of July 4th is watching fireworks, and if you are like me then you will probably be out with your camera trying to capture the wonderful colors and lights in the sky. Here are a few tips that I have found while shooting and researching to help you get some great fireworks photographs:
1. Use a tripod. You need to make sure that your camera is as still and stable as possible to get the best shots.
2. If you have a cable release, be sure to bring it! If you don’t have a cable release, you can also try playing with the self-timer feature but your shots and opportunities will be limited. Some camera models have off-brand cable-releases for under $20 … if you are interested in doing any type of night or experimental photography then I highly recommend getting one.
3. Shoot in “manual” mode. Use a low ISO, set your aperture somewhere in the middle (usually between f/8 and f/16) and set your shutter speed to “bulb”. Then, as the fireworks go off, hold the shutter open for 5-10 seconds. Try a few different settings within the first minute of the show to get a good feel for the light and speed of the fireworks. (The overall exposure values are going to vary depending on the amount of ambient light/fireworks/etc; there’s really no steadfast formula.)
4. Plan ahead. Get to your location early and try to find out where the fireworks will be coming from. You want to set up your gear well before the start of the show … many of the displays go very quickly, and if you know the general direction to aim your camera then you are already one step ahead.
5. Don’t just photograph the fireworks. Look at your surroundings and see what else you can include in the photo. People? Bridges? A significant landmark? Additional elements and identifiable scenery in the frame will add a lot of depth to your image.
6. Watch for smoke. If you can figure out which direction the wind will be blowing then try to position yourself upwind so the smoke will blow away from you. Smoke will really light up with the bursts, and if it’s between you and the fireworks then your photos will suffer.
7. Minimize missed opportunities. Fireworks displays go very quickly and if you are always checking your LCD after each shot then you will miss out on tons of great images. It’s a good idea to check your exposure every once in a while (especially right at the beginning), but once you think you have the right settings then try to curb the temptation to look at each image until after the show.
8. Want to see more bursts and fewer trails? No problem! Find a sturdy piece of black (or dark) cardboard and, when the shutter is open, cover up the lens as the fireworks are making their way to the sky. Then, right before they explode, remove the cardboard. Boom!
9. Get creative! Getting good firework photographs consists of some planning, a lot of experimentation and a little bit of luck – there’s no way to predict what you are going to get! Just have fun with it and don’t take it too seriously, you’ll most likely end up having a really good time and will probably go home with some great photos, too.
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