Photographing Fireworks

Photographing Fireworks

It's Fourth of July Weekend! Are you going out to see a firework display? Maybe you are feeling a little daring and are doing it on your own? Either way, you may want to try and capture those fiery works of art, to scrapbook or even hang as art in your home. Here are some tips for you!

1. Use a tripod.
Since it's dark out, and trying to press the shutter button at just the precise moment is just about impossible, you will need a tripod. A tripod will allow you to leave the shutter of your camera open for longer than an 80th of a second, the recommended slowest aperture on your camera to hand hold and still get a sharp image. Don't have a tripod handy? That's okay. I have used tables and walls before. You just need something to hold your camera steady on.



2. Long Shutter Speed
What does this mean you ask? Well, you will want the shutter to remain open for a longer period of time so you can get that sparkle of the fireworks to show up. Longer shutter lengths will capture more light over a longer period of time. If you camera has a bulb mode, try using that. This allows you to leave the shutter open as long as you have the shutter button depressed. Having a release cable comes in handy with this method, to help prevent camera shake. But don't leave it open too long. Then you will have an overexposed messy looking image that won't be pretty at all. Usually, opening at the time of "fire" and closing just after explosion is all the time you need. The grand finally is much harder to time, so practice those exposures before hand to get a good sense of how the fireworks photograph.


Here, I left the shutter open to get my daughter "writing" with a sparkler.

3. Use a shorter focal length
if you have ever photographed fireworks before, you know how hard it is to predict precisely where they are going to explode. Using a shorter focal length will allow you to capture more of the sky, and not miss the beautiful fireworks. Once you have had some experience getting the shot with fireworks in it, try experimenting with a longer focal length. This is especially fun if you have a zoom lens. :)

4. Use a lower ISO
ISO refers to film speed, or how fast the film can capture the image, but we still use it today in the digital era. It is better to use a slower ISO, one around 200 or smaller, to get clean shots, ones without any digital "noise".




5. Turn off your Flash!!
If you put your camera in manual, this won't be an issue for you, since it will only fire if you "tell" it to. If you leave your flash on, it will not illuminate anything, except what is directly in front of you and within a short distance. So, you might be illuminating the smoke of the fireworks too, or someone in front of you.

6. Use Manual mode
This is that letter M on your camera. This allows you to set your aperture (size of the shutter opening), your shutter speed, and your ISO. Also, use manual focus, or your shots may be very blurry since your camera will have trouble focusing in low light.

Most of all, be safe this Fourth of July! Have fun and send in some pictures you took to share!


Pamela Powell is a photographic portrait artist in Parker County Texas. Pamela received her BFA in art-photography from Sam Houston State University and is a member of the Professional Photographers of America.
You can view more of Pamela's fine portrait work by visiting: http://pamelapowellphotography.com