Photographing Fireworks
Everyone has seen stunning photo images of fireworks displays. If you attend an actual fireworks show you will
see lots of people with cameras taking pictures of the beautiful bursts of light in the sky.
However, since the firework bursts come in different shapes, sizes, and light intensity, getting properly
exposed and framed images at a fireworks show can be tricky.
While It is not impossible to get a picture of a firework blast at its peak brightness in full bloom using your
camera's automatic settings, at best it will be hit or miss. That is because it is difficult for the camera to auto
focus quickly on thin light streaks and the cameras light meter can easily be fooled by the bright lights against
a black sky.
The best way to get good pictures of a fireworks display is to use a tripod. That is
because in order for the camera to record a fireworks image from the night sky at
its peak brightness, the camera shutter must stay open for a longer period of time
than usual.
The length of time the shutter must be open can be several seconds and when
the camera is hand held with the shutter open that long, there will be camera
shake which will result in blurred images. So using a tripod will stabilize the camera
so that you can get sharper images.
If you happen to be at a fireworks show without a tripod, try placing the camera on
a sturdy surface to stabilize the camera. If that is not possible, try bracing your
body against something solid like a pole or a tree and hold your arms against your
body while taking the picture. (this method won't totally eliminate camera shake,
but will reduce the amount of blur )
Framing and Composing: Try to get to the show early so you can find a good spot with a clear view to take your
pictures. Also, it is best to find out where the bursts will be coming from before the show begins. When
choosing your spot, you should be thinking of whether you want any foreground objects or people included in
your images.
You can take pictures of fireworks with the camera in the horizontal or vertical position. A single burst might
look better with a vertical view and some multiple bursts might fit better in a horizontal view. However, there is
no rule set in stone that you must follow. The choice is yours. So just let your creative juices flow.
Timing: Fireworks displays happen quickly. You have to anticipate and always be ready for the next burst(s). If
you see a trail going up in the sky, try to press the shutter release button just before the burst happens in
order to get the full effect.
Fireworks Photography Exposure Settings
Compact Cameras: If you will be using a compact camera, you won't be able to manually control settings like the
shutter speed, aperture, and manual focusing. However, most compact cameras will have a Fireworks scene
mode setting.
A couple of examples of compact cameras with fireworks scene modes
are the Canon Powershot A2200 or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5.
In the Fireworks mode, the camera will automatically choose the best
settings to take pictures of fireworks, so just go with that.
When you choose the fireworks mode on a compact camera, the
camera shutter will remain open longer than usual. So try to use a
tripod if possible to eliminate camera shake.
Be aware that there can still be camera shake as a result of the shutter release being pressed, so press the
shutter release as gently as possible.
Digital SLR Cameras: If you will be using a Digital Slr camera like the Nikon D3000 to take pictures of fireworks,
you will be able to manually control the exposure settings. There is no one correct setting to take pictures of
fireworks however, the following tips will give you something to start with.
Aperture: Set your camera aperture to a smaller opening somewhere in the F8
to F16 range. That is because although you will be taking pictures at night,
fireworks are pretty bright and using an aperture like F2.8 will overexpose the
image.
Shutter Speeds: When using a Digital Slr, use the "B" shutter speed setting. This
will allow you to hold the shutter open as long as you want. It is also best to use a
shutter release cable or a remote shutter trigger. This will allow you
to take the picture without having to touch the camera.
Try experimenting and hold the shutter open from 1-4 seconds to begin with.
Check brightness of the image and then shorten or extend the amount of time you
leave the shutter open to get an image that will be suitable for you.
ISO: Try keeping your ISO at 100 or 200. Using higher ISO settings like 1600 will produce more grainy images
especially against the black night sky.
Multiple Bursts: Holding the shutter open for multiple bursts can produce visually pleasing results. If you
decide to do this make sure that you cover the camera lens between bursts with your hand or with a dark
object. That is because any ambient light might possibly overexpose the image or the sky might start looking
too muddy or smoky.
Also remember:
Focusing: Set your focusing ring to infinity. Usually you will be far enough away
from the fireworks display so that the infinity focus setting will produce sharp
images for all of your shots. (the infinity symbol on your camera lens barrel will
look something like the number 8 turned sideways)
An exception would be if you are using a super long zoom lens and infinity is
further away than the fireworks display. In that case, just focus on the first couple
of bursts and then continue to use that focus setting.
Flash: You don't need a flash to photograph fireworks so turn it off. That is unless
you are taking a picture of someone or an object in the foreground of the fireworks
display that needs to be lit.
Overall, getting good pictures of fireworks can be fun as well as challenging. But with a little planning, practice,
and patience it can also be very rewarding.
Everyone has seen stunning photo images of fireworks displays. If you attend an actual fireworks show you will
see lots of people with cameras taking pictures of the beautiful bursts of light in the sky.
However, since the firework bursts come in different shapes, sizes, and light intensity, getting properly
exposed and framed images at a fireworks show can be tricky.
While It is not impossible to get a picture of a firework blast at its peak brightness in full bloom using your
camera's automatic settings, at best it will be hit or miss. That is because it is difficult for the camera to auto
focus quickly on thin light streaks and the cameras light meter can easily be fooled by the bright lights against
a black sky.
The best way to get good pictures of a fireworks display is to use a tripod. That is
because in order for the camera to record a fireworks image from the night sky at
its peak brightness, the camera shutter must stay open for a longer period of time
than usual.
The length of time the shutter must be open can be several seconds and when
the camera is hand held with the shutter open that long, there will be camera
shake which will result in blurred images. So using a tripod will stabilize the camera
so that you can get sharper images.
If you happen to be at a fireworks show without a tripod, try placing the camera on
a sturdy surface to stabilize the camera. If that is not possible, try bracing your
body against something solid like a pole or a tree and hold your arms against your
body while taking the picture. (this method won't totally eliminate camera shake,
but will reduce the amount of blur )
Framing and Composing: Try to get to the show early so you can find a good spot with a clear view to take your
pictures. Also, it is best to find out where the bursts will be coming from before the show begins. When
choosing your spot, you should be thinking of whether you want any foreground objects or people included in
your images.
You can take pictures of fireworks with the camera in the horizontal or vertical position. A single burst might
look better with a vertical view and some multiple bursts might fit better in a horizontal view. However, there is
no rule set in stone that you must follow. The choice is yours. So just let your creative juices flow.
Timing: Fireworks displays happen quickly. You have to anticipate and always be ready for the next burst(s). If
you see a trail going up in the sky, try to press the shutter release button just before the burst happens in
order to get the full effect.
Fireworks Photography Exposure Settings
Compact Cameras: If you will be using a compact camera, you won't be able to manually control settings like the
shutter speed, aperture, and manual focusing. However, most compact cameras will have a Fireworks scene
mode setting.
A couple of examples of compact cameras with fireworks scene modes
are the Canon Powershot A2200 or the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FP5.
In the Fireworks mode, the camera will automatically choose the best
settings to take pictures of fireworks, so just go with that.
When you choose the fireworks mode on a compact camera, the
camera shutter will remain open longer than usual. So try to use a
tripod if possible to eliminate camera shake.
Be aware that there can still be camera shake as a result of the shutter release being pressed, so press the
shutter release as gently as possible.
Digital SLR Cameras: If you will be using a Digital Slr camera like the Nikon D3000 to take pictures of fireworks,
you will be able to manually control the exposure settings. There is no one correct setting to take pictures of
fireworks however, the following tips will give you something to start with.
Aperture: Set your camera aperture to a smaller opening somewhere in the F8
to F16 range. That is because although you will be taking pictures at night,
fireworks are pretty bright and using an aperture like F2.8 will overexpose the
image.
Shutter Speeds: When using a Digital Slr, use the "B" shutter speed setting. This
will allow you to hold the shutter open as long as you want. It is also best to use a
shutter release cable or a remote shutter trigger. This will allow you
to take the picture without having to touch the camera.
Try experimenting and hold the shutter open from 1-4 seconds to begin with.
Check brightness of the image and then shorten or extend the amount of time you
leave the shutter open to get an image that will be suitable for you.
ISO: Try keeping your ISO at 100 or 200. Using higher ISO settings like 1600 will produce more grainy images
especially against the black night sky.
Multiple Bursts: Holding the shutter open for multiple bursts can produce visually pleasing results. If you
decide to do this make sure that you cover the camera lens between bursts with your hand or with a dark
object. That is because any ambient light might possibly overexpose the image or the sky might start looking
too muddy or smoky.
Also remember:
Focusing: Set your focusing ring to infinity. Usually you will be far enough away
from the fireworks display so that the infinity focus setting will produce sharp
images for all of your shots. (the infinity symbol on your camera lens barrel will
look something like the number 8 turned sideways)
An exception would be if you are using a super long zoom lens and infinity is
further away than the fireworks display. In that case, just focus on the first couple
of bursts and then continue to use that focus setting.
Flash: You don't need a flash to photograph fireworks so turn it off. That is unless
you are taking a picture of someone or an object in the foreground of the fireworks
display that needs to be lit.
Overall, getting good pictures of fireworks can be fun as well as challenging. But with a little planning, practice,
and patience it can also be very rewarding.
Easy Basic Photography
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