Photo tips for the 4th of July

Wed Jul 2, 2008 11:32AM EDT

See Comments (60)

Friday is the day you get off work to grill meat and watch fireworks explode (oh, and celebrate Independence Day), and that means the camera shutters will be snapping like crazy.

But taking a good picture of your BBQ ribs or a girandole isn't quite as simple as just pointing your camera and pushing the button. Here are five sites full of tips for taking perfect pictures on the Fourth of July and throughout the summer.

Digital Photography 101 with Ritz - Use Natural Outdoor Light to Your Advantage - Best tip: People (especially kids) squint when the sun is in their eyes. To keep eyes open, keep the sun behind your subject (though I'll add that it can be difficult to keep faces out of shadow this way), or better yet, shoot in the morning or evening when the sun isn't as harsh.

Digital Photography School - How to Photograph Fireworks Displays - Best tip: Use a tripod, and set the aperture setting to somewhere in the range of f/8 to f/16 for the best results.

Your Photo Tips - How to Photograph Amazing Fireworks - Best tip: If you're near water, include the surface of the lake/pool/ocean in the shot to capture some cool reflections.

Kodak - Photographing Fireworks - Best tip: Film a sequence of shots using burst mode, so you capture a series of pictures encompassing an explosion from start to finish.

National Geographic - Action and Adventure Photography Tips - Best tip: When photographing action shots (like the annual three-legged race), planning is everything. Stake out a good position to frame your shot properly well in advance so you don't end up with a technically great and perfectly-exposed shot... of everyone's backside as they run away from you.

See also: How to Photograph Fireworks

Photo credit: Stuck in Customs

Comments on Photo tips for the 4th of July

Post a Comment

Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

  • 26 Posted by neoknows on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    Great tips! You should check out the similar tips ones over at pophangover if you want a laugh. A photographer's parody that made me LOL http://pophangover.com/popdujour/?p=56

  • 27 Posted by coureycatastrophe on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse

    Ditto about the flash. No need to use it, for God's sake. lol Timing is everything, too. We usually go for 20-30 second exposures. By the way, that example photo looks entirely photochopped. It doesn't even look real, anymore.

  • 28 Posted by hunterhurst00 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    The photo above is misleading... it has clearly been enhanced with HDR. You cannot take a photo & it just look like that.

  • 29 Posted by c.cassino on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:16PM EDT Report Abuse

    Happy fourth of July to all......The signing of the declaration of independence was actually signed of the 2 of July. In any regard, THANK YOU TO OUR TROOPS AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

  • 30 Posted by syspro@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Better yet - buy a Sony T200. I did not knowing squat about taking photos and it takes the photo for me ! perfect every time ! This is not a paid for advertisement.

  • 31 Posted by lqqkieme on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    Don't forget to take off the lens cap.

  • 32 Posted by internet3928 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:24PM EDT Report Abuse

    anyone have any pictures for your computer wallpaper? that one that yahoo has is beautiful, but too small. I'd love to capture a beaut, but putting one up on my PC for the week would be cool.

  • 33 Posted by ehouse98 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    Does anyone know where the photo that accompanied the story was taken?

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

    I still use a Brownie box camera, thinking about getting that latest Polaroid Swinger camera, any tips?

  • 36 Posted by niadj@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse

    i love 4 th of july because it is my favorite year of month so i hope you read this

  • 37 Posted by lilacelkins on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    i wont be going no where tonight so i dont care about fireworks tips

  • 40 Posted by dada1111 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    We celebrate it so people li9ke bush can take all of our rights away from us!

  • 41 Posted by faraheye2006 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:58PM EDT Report Abuse

    It is great way to add fun to our daily life http://www.competetick.com

  • 42 Posted by cat.lover212 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse

    OK SERIOUSLY... IF U NEED HELP TAKING A PICTURE, THAT IS STUPID!!!!!!!

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

    Remember if you get any awesome photos this summer of the 4th of July festivities in your state or neat scenic pictures you take on road trips in our state to post them to www.acarandacameara.com so your family and friends can enjoy your photos nationwide.

  • 44 Posted by lisaschneider2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have used both digital slr and point and shoots for taking fireworks. if you are going to be using a point and shoot, make sure your setting is for nightime lights, or sports mode. i've used both with good success. the shutter speeds are fast, but you will still need to be as steady as you can. a tripod is ideal, but if you don't have one, or, don't want the hassle of dragging it around, plant yourself firm, and keep your elbows tight to your body. take enough pictures, and you are bound to come out with some fantastic shots! Happy 4th Everyone!

  • 45 Posted by joebellin1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    just because its the 4th of july, it doesn't mean everyone gets the day off work. Just thought i would bring that to the authors attention.

Post a Comment

Sign In to Post a Comment

My Tech

Please enable your browser's cookies to activate the My Tech column.

Also on Yahoo! Tech

Computers Home Office Wi-Fi & Networking Phones & PDAs Cameras & Camcorders TV & Home Theater Portable Audio
 

Site Map | Tour | Subscribe to Yahoo! Tech

Question and Answer content at Yahoo! Tech is written by Yahoo! users at Yahoo! Answers. Yahoo! does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any Yahoo! Answers content. For more information, read the Full Disclaimer.

Opinions expressed by the Advisors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Yahoo! Inc. Yahoo! receives no compensation from any manufacturer or distributor nor does it compensate any Advisor for the coverage of any product or service in any Advisor's content.