This was originally posted in 2009, but as I’m getting my tripod out, and charging up my camera batteries in preparation for the Independence day celebrations, I thought it might be appropriate to bring it back to the front page of the blog. I hope you find it helpful.
With the 4th of July Holiday coming up on Monday, I bet quite a few people are planning to go out and try to get some cool fireworks pictures …
Fireworks show over Waikiki beach in 2006
While I am by no means an “expert” on fireworks photography, I have captured a few nice images over the years (including the one above). As such, I feel I’m qualified to offer up a few …
Tips for better fireworks photography this 4th of July
- Use a tripod. Keeping your camera steady is especially important when shooting at night, or with a longer exposure. (If you have a dSLR, you might also consider locking the mirror up, and using a remote shutter release device)
- Set your camera for a 1 to 5 second exposure. If your camera has the capability, you can use either “shutter priority”, or manual mode. If you have a point and shoot camera, set it to the “night-time scenery mode”. By using a longer exposure, not only will you avoid having to “guess” when the firework is going to explode in the sky; you’ll also be able to capture a sense of “motion”. The picture above was a 2 second exposure. Had it been taken at something like 1/200th of a second, all you would probably only see is a scattering of blue or possibly even white dots.
- Stop down to a smaller aperture. If you’re shooting in manual mode, don’t be afraid to stop down to F8.0 or even F11. The last thing you want when trying to shoot fireworks is a shallow depth of field … much better if the whole scene is in as sharp a focus as possible.
- Focus Manually. Speaking of focus, if your camera has the ability, set your focus to manual, find a good target off in the distance, and take a few practice shots before the actual fireworks show begins. No matter how good the auto focus function on your camera is, none of them work very well in the dark … you will end up with out-of-focus shots.
- Consider the Foreground and Background. Pictures of fireworks exploding in the dark sky can be dramatic and cool; but they have no context … they could have been taken anywhere. If there is a distinctive landmark or skyline that you can include your shots, it will definitely serve to enhance the story; and your memories.
- Take a lot of pictures. Fill up that memory card. No matter how well you prepare, your ratio of “throw-a-ways” to “keepers” is probably going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 or 15 to 1. And even those keepers will require some photoshop work … at the very least adjustments to white balance are likely to be needed.
- Have Fun! As easy as it can be sometimes when you have a camera “glued” to your face, don’t forget to pay attention to your family and friends … especially if you have kids. Mentally capturing that look of wonder on your son or daughter’s face as they watch the show is often way more rewarding than even the perfect digital image of colorful “bombs bursting in air”.
Well, that’s my advice for 4th of July photography. I hope you found it helpful … and I hope it assists you in getting some awesome fireworks shots this year.
Enjoy the holiday!
[...] How to Take Fireworks Pictures – by my friend Todd Morris. I’m not much of a photographer myself, so I appreciate the tips and advice offered on taking good fireworks pictures. Now, if I could just manage to keep my thumb from appearing in photos I take with my digital camera, I’d be a happy camper. [...]
Great tips. I live in California, so fireworks this year were sacrificed in many communities with serious fiscal crises. Those that did have fireworks actually looked rather indulgent in these challenging times of our economy. But there is nothing more awe-inspiring than the sky lit by bright explosions and sparks.
Good post, no wonder when i take photos of fireworks they always come out blurry and quite poor. Ill see if i can rectify that on my bday when i order some more fireworks
Good advice. Especially about the tripod. I remember the good 'ole days of film, and digital is MUCH easier and CHEAPER when taking tons of photos. Also nice to see the photos so soon after taking them, to see if any changes need to be made when shooting.
I love capturing fireworks picture but i never got the prints well enough. Now i hope by using your described techniques i can get much better pictures.
Wow, great picture1 I wish our 4th of July pics turned out this well! Thank you for the advice.
Good post, when ever i take photos of fireworks they always come out blurry. thanks for your advice
you have given a very great idea to shoot the good phtos i liked it & it is very true for the photography if you want it to have a good pic then you have to follow some criteria then you’ll get that!
Now my camera will going to rock these world
these really are great fireworks and i hope many people will like to read it out. You should have uploaded more and more pics of fireworks.
What should I do if I am using a digital camera? How is it different from a traditional camera?
i was always trying to have a good photo of fireworks but was not succeeded in that but thanks you gave me the idea i liked it!
Hey thanks for giving us such a better i dea i am very happy that i got it for me!
I love Fireworks – taking pictures of them is really hard though. This information was helpful.
Hey using tripod is a good idea
thanks for the idea i liked it because i always try to become a perfect photographer &m i feel very happy when i get it done!
So gorgeous! I have a decent camera for a beginner (Canon 1000D), I'll have to try taking photos of fireworks the next time Australia Day rolls around, although my skills are amateur at best.
i am very keen to take the pictures of the fast moving cars i know your tip will work i9n that too!
It's awesome! I've always wanted to try photography but it's quite an expensive hobby. May be in the future when I can afford to buy a camera for professionals.
HA! I wish I would’ve read this a week ago when I went to a fireworks show. All my pictures were blurry and not great quality at all. At least I know for future reference. Great post!
thanks for your suggestions, I will use it next year by Redentore in Venice, one of the biggest fireworks happening in the World!!!
Now i''ll show my inner photographer.lol
Thanks for the tips, I work at a restaurant at MyrtleBeach that has fireworks weekly. maybe i can get some extra doe to photograph them
That’s very cool skill. I remember I have taken photo during river festival back in my days in Brisbane, but the photo just sucks ;(
Thanks for the tips!
Using tripod maybe useful, but sometimes in crowd it is hard to stand a tripod. However, without tripod still can make good firework pictures.
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Damn!
I wish I would have read your post a couple of months ago. I’ve tried to take pictures of fireworks for the last 3 4th if Julys (with my 5 mega pixel Panasonic Lumix) and they’ve always come out blurred. I thought I had to buy some really extensive equipment to do this right.
I’ll definitely try this next year! Thanks.
I took some stunning shots of fireworks over the Sydney Opera House and having that landmark in the background sure made a difference.
It amazed me how many people were taking photos without a tripod though, I reckon they were going to be pretty disappointed with the photos.
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Thanks for the info – Ive always struggled with night shots of cities etc. My wife and I are about to go on a boat trip in the Sydney harbour the coming week so I’ll make sure I take a copy of these tips – fingers crossed i can get some nice pics!!!
Nice tips my towns are going to held a firework on my city day
hope i can catch some nice shoot with this tips
thanks
Great tips, Todd! Mine always end up looking trippy – all squiggly with trails and tails.
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Hey Heather .. sometimes the squiggly with trails and tails can be cool … as long as your camera is held still