For the 4th: How to Photograph Fireworks

Wed Jun 28, 2006 6:00PM EDT

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I'm not sure why, but every time I'm around fireworks I have the uncontrollable urge to take a picture of them, as if this might be the last time I ever see something colorfully blowing up in the sky. Yet whenever I do snap these shots, I end up with a blurry splotch of red on a black background. Looking at the pictures later, they might as well be shots of a squashed bug.

Well, fireworks time is just a few days away, and the cameras will be pointed skyward once again. So how to you get a shot of something that looks like a work of art rather than a deceased insect? The website Digital Photography School has the secrets, with some impressive photographic proof to back it up.

If you're planning to photograph some airborne festivities, please check out the full story. But if you just want the quick tips, here's the Cliff's Notes:

  • Use a tripod and a remote shutter release, if you can.
  • Carefully frame the shot so that the horizon is straight and you don't get a bunch of heads in the picture.
  • Set aperture between f/8 and f/16 and use ISO 100.
  • Keep the shutter open for a couple of seconds, starting before the explosion. (Manual mode is your friend.)
  • Turn off the flash.
  • Experiment and have fun!

Good luck, and send me your shots next week!

 

Comments on For the 4th: How to Photograph Fireworks

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  • 26 Posted by wizbummer on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    nkkip, I also have a P880. Set it at widest angle (24mm) if you want to say capture a skyline along with the pic (a city skyline means more light, so set the f-stop higher if that's the case), or if you just want the bursts then between 70-100mm zoom. ISO 50 or 100 sensitivity, auto WB (white balance), apeture size right in the middle (depending on your zoom level, f5-f5.6) and play with the exposure times, ranging from .8 seconds to 5 seconds I would recommend. Hope this helps!

  • 27 Posted by sloimages on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    If you have the money, go buy a digital camera that has built in shooting modes. My Nikon Coolpix has amoung the different modes, one for shooting fireworks, and it works great! You have to use a tripod though!

  • 30 Posted by fujativeskia on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:04PM EDT Report Abuse

    thank god i have a nikon d2x......and i didnt mean the last post i was just kidding

  • 31 Posted by steveandersonx22 on Sat Jul 1, 2006 10:09PM EDT Report Abuse

    Another cool thing: leave your shutter open for a long time and place your hand or a hat in front of the lens and wait until the moment the firework explodes, then remove it. That way you won't record all the rocket trails, just several explosions. The picture will look a lot "cleaner".

  • 32 Posted by prismstar2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks for your wonderful tips. I'll give this a try. Carmen - Webmaster of America's Beloved Tenor http://www.danielrodriguez.net and http://www.carmenfamoros.com

  • 34 Posted by wnsumner on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks for info-I can't wait to see what I get!

  • 36 Posted by ficovh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:59PM EDT Report Abuse

    Maybe setting to 2 seconds the exposure time in your camera can be help a litle bit. I'm using 2 seconds, ISO 100, in Shutter Priority.

  • 37 Posted by jcfollower4e on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hey thank you soo much for these tips! Yea i always find those pictures where i have to ask myself, is that a squished bug? Haha! The Pictures would always be Blury and it was a Pain to deal with a Wasted PIcture. This is most likely the Best Advice given to me besides, Stay in School, haha! I will definately try to let you know how my pictures turn out, depending if i have those right modes and the right Camera. I am Going to Florida for 4th of July and this will be Great! Thank you again.

  • 38 Posted by superducky9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    I just bought a Sony Cybershot DSC-W100 along with a 1GB SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo....... does anyone know what would be the best settings for my camera would be... How do i adjust my bulb/shudder speed??? Also I agree with comments 29 and 30. Please help me, thanks in advance.

  • 39 Posted by gemini1018518 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think post 29 & 30 are unnecessary. Most people aren't rich and can't afford to go buy a digital Nikon camera. If I had the money, yeah I'd go buy one in a heartbeat. I do have a Nikon 35mm, cost me $350 and I saved for 6 months to get it. I have a very nice digital camera, simple Kodak and it didn't cost me alot of money. I just think it's funny how rude people are when they can just type in something and leave. Now there is a mode on alot of digital cameras for "fireworks", but it doesn't work well at all on mine. I've had better luck using the tripod, 35mm camera, longer shutter open time and all the other great comments and tips by the sincere people.

  • 40 Posted by littlevixin69 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    ok, i have a kodak easyshare c530 5.0 mega pixels. i am going to the lake on tuesday to see the fireworks i dont have a tripod so give me some advice on what i should do about taking good pics of the fireworks!!

  • 41 Posted by superducky9 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:48PM EDT Report Abuse

    Also: ~~~What should be my coloring mode: normal, vivid, natural, sepia, or black&white?~~~ ~~~ What should be my my metering mode: Multi, Center, or Spot?~~~ ~~~What should be my White Balance: Auto, daylight, cloudy, fluorescent, or incadescent?~~~ ~~~and what should be my contrast and sharpness settings: the options for both of them individually is +, normal, or -.~~~ Sorry for so many questions, thanks again in advance!!!!!

  • 42 Posted by turfmonster3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    thx for the tips i used them and they worked THANK YOU VERY MOCH LOL OPISIT DAY

  • 43 Posted by hischell30 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thank you so much this is very helpful and I plan to use then information in here. I love taken photos of other stuff and this will be one of my first times taking photos of fireworks. I'll let you know how helpful it was. But then your a pro so you know already.

  • 44 Posted by turfmonster3 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    T H A N K S F O R T H E H E L P. . . T H A N K Y O U. . .

  • 45 Posted by lilcrowe21 on Sat Jul 1, 2006 11:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've read with digital cameras you can set it to landscape mode, that should take care of any focusing issues. I know most cameras won't let you take pictures if they can't focus and if there is no focal point due to the dark sky...you're not allowed to click.

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