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

    Leave the trick shots to a seasoned pro. You ameteurs don't have a prayer! If you manage to get something decent, it's pure luck.

  • 48 Posted by birdiemom on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hmm, #49 let me see... don't most pro's start out as ameteurs? I sure think so. Everyone has given such helpful advice. I want to say a big THANK YOU to you ALL! We all start out "green" and by studying and sharing information we can learn much faster than just by trial and error. Have fun out there this week!

  • 49 Posted by cajunpcguy on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    "Set aperture between f/8 and f/16 and use ISO 100" ??????????? I think most of us use a digital camera and don't use 35 MM anymore. We could just chip it out of a rock!!!

  • 50 Posted by tiggeranpooh182 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    Though i prefer a manual, i used my digital on "night mode" for this shot. gotta love kodak easy share

  • 51 Posted by vhfrancis5 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    i agree with #5, what about digital and or disposal cameras? what do you do then?

  • 52 Posted by ncfarthing on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have both types of cameras which I use according to the type of shot I want to achieve. I get good results for both and will try to get some fireworks shots this weekend using the hints I have read. Thanks

  • 53 Posted by wakeen44 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:39PM EDT Report Abuse

    agrees w/#51 also Thanks for those tips, hopefully I will be at the right place at the right time. where can we send our shots to?

  • 54 Posted by ixikiller on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    hey, great tips,ill defenitly use these...

  • 56 Posted by area5ham on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:57PM EDT Report Abuse

    thanks for the tips... This will be the first time I have had my 5D out at night. Shot some neat stuff with my 20D last year will probably drag that along just for fun. Did i nice shot a few years back with a sparkler with the shutter open. I had a friend do a corkscrew shape as he walked backwards across the field of view. Might have to try that with the digitals this year.... Happy Shooting.

  • 57 Posted by erojas_2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    #52... you can still set those settings on Digital cameras, just depends on what kind you got. That is, if its just a bit better than a point and shoot digital. #55 it will be pretty difficult to get really nice shots with disposable cameras, as they are just automatic and wont let you set the shutter speed. =( Tough luck I guess if thats all you can get. PS: And it's all about film baby! I still use my Canon A-1 ... 20+ years old and it still makes better pictures than my digital camera. Plus it still works like new unlike the crappy plastic digital one. Hehe. Okay, happy shooting and happy 4th!

  • 58 Posted by fxst2003 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:05PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have a digital and i use the movie option this way I can enjoy the sounds also.

  • 59 Posted by glacierc on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    In order to get a lot of fireworks in one frame you can set your shutter speed to 30 secs or a minute and use a black poster board to act as a manual shutter. Place the black poster board in front of the lens and remove and replace it quickly each time a firework explodes while the camera shutter is open. This will allow multiple fireworks to be exposed on the same picture and it will look like you took an awesome picture of the grand finale! I have done this many times, and it works great. For those of you using digital cameras, I would say it is time to invest in a digital slr like the Cannon Digital Rebel which is what I use, and I love it.

  • 60 Posted by bigsteve737 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:07PM EDT Report Abuse

    Sorry about the post I forgot to sign out and somebody else wrote that.

  • 61 Posted by simpletouchh on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Now, what happens when it's raining? Is it worth bringing the equipment and setting it up? Will the pictures become very distorted by the rain drops?

  • 62 Posted by redrobin1977 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    Hi- Another thing I tried was 1. to take a shot in portrait (vertical) leave the shutter open, but cover the lense and rotate the camera to landscape (horzontal)wait for another burst and remove the cover- 2. zoom in and out slowly while capturing the burst

  • 63 Posted by mvp5tool on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    lol why not just use a camcorder? ...tape the entire show.

  • 65 Posted by hope2003_2_3power on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    re: #69. if raining only find direction of rain and have the rain to your back if possible ! " IF RAINING AND LIGHTNING AT SAME TIME OR IN YOUR AREA (EVEN FIVE MILES AWAY) DO NOT USE A TRIPOD, YOU ARE A POSSIBLE LIGHTNING ROD IN THE MAKING" Over all the article is aweome and very helpful w/ a lot of great hints on how everyone (possibly) can get a wonderful photo of fireworks and night time stills, also. People be safe and smart. One last thing know your surroundings and weather b-4 you start. Most of all enjoy the reason we celerbrate this day, freedom. The fireworks are only a reminder.

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