How to photograph fireworks

Published: 17.08.2021

Fireworks are the main highlight of any celebration. A fireworks display always attracts attention and brings positive emotions. To capture the beauty of the fireworks for memory, one must learn how to photograph them correctly. The difficulty lies in the fact that shooting has to be done in poor lighting conditions and it is challenging to capture the moment when the fireworks explode. However, knowing the tricks and techniques for shooting, you can get excellent shots that will adorn a wedding or family album. Let's consider what needs to be taken into account to beautifully photograph fireworks, how to prepare for a photoshoot, and what camera settings to use.

What equipment will be needed?

You can try to take a photo of fireworks on your phone, but the best shots are taken with a DSLR camera. Any DSLR with a wide-angle lens is suitable for shooting. The quality of the photos depends not so much on the camera model, but on the correct settings.

You will also definitely need a tripod. When shooting in motion, it is necessary for the camera to be securely fixed, so it will be difficult to do without a tripod.

It will not be superfluous to have a remote shutter release. By pressing the shutter button manually, you risk getting a blurry and smeared picture. If your camera does not have a touchscreen, but buttons, take a flashlight with you, as it is not very convenient to adjust the camera in the dark.

"How to prepare for a photoshoot"

Before heading out to shoot a fireworks display, study the location. If the fireworks are organized for a city celebration, keep in mind that there will be a lot of people and bystanders may end up in the frame. Arrive at the fireworks launch site in advance, choose an elevated location with a good view.

Pay attention to the surrounding buildings, the presence of water, and additional lighting. If you stand near streetlights, their light may drown out the fireworks. When filming against illuminated buildings, they may not be well visible, as the light from the fireworks will be brighter.

Take a photo of the city at night in advance. If you are unable to capture a clear background, you can later crop the fireworks and overlay them on the photo of the buildings in a graphic editor.

Practice taking photos using different camera settings before the fireworks start. This way, you won't waste time figuring out the settings and you'll have a better chance of capturing everything successfully.

When choosing a location for shooting, try to find a spot where passersby won't bump into you and climb to a higher vantage point. This way, you will have fewer people in the frame and reduce the risk of someone accidentally knocking over a tripod with a camera and damaging the equipment.

It wouldn't hurt to check the weather forecast. In cloudy weather or rain, you may need to adjust additional settings on the camera.

Learn about the different types of fireworks. Some fireworks linger in the sky for a long time, so it's better to capture them with a long exposure. Other types of fireworks burst brightly for just a few seconds, in which case a very short exposure would be more suitable. Knowing the types of fireworks will better prepare you at the moment of their launch and allow you to quickly adjust your camera settings.

"What settings to use for shooting fireworks"

"To capture a successful shot, we recommend using the following settings for a DSLR camera:"

1. Switch to manual mode. Automatic shooting cannot keep up with rapidly changing images, and most likely you will end up with a blurry or overexposed picture.
2. Set the ISO in the range of 100-200, this will help avoid graininess in the photos and you will get clear images.
3. The aperture should be set between f/8 and f/16. Medium aperture values will make not only the fireworks but also the background of the photo sharp. If you are shooting against a body of water, you will be able to capture the reflection of the fireworks in the water.
4. The exposure should be chosen depending on your preferences for the photo. To capture the trajectory of a firework, set the exposure to more than three seconds. The longer the exposure, the clearer the traces of the fireworks in the sky will be visible. If the firework display is short and you are worried about not being able to capture everything, use a shorter exposure - 0.5-1 second.
5. Do not use the flash, it is suitable for lighting close objects. Since the fireworks are far away, the flash will not help, but instead may overexpose the frame.
6. Adjust the focus manually. Autofocus automatically selects the brightest point. It may not be a fireworks display, but a nearby streetlight, and you will not get the accents in the photo that you would like.

It is not possible to give universal advice on what exact settings to use on a camera to get the perfect photo of a salute. You need to experiment, try different modes.

Settings largely depend on the camera model. It is best to save images in RAW format, so even if the shots are not quite successful during shooting, they can be edited in graphic editors.

"How to take photos of fireworks on a phone"

The cameras of modern smartphone models, although not as good as DSLRs, can also take decent photos of fireworks with the right settings. The key is not to use automatic mode. Fireworks on a phone should be photographed in PRO mode, where you can adjust ISO and shutter speed.

If your phone does not have this mode, download camera apps. For iPhone, apps like ProCam, Spectre Camera, Moment App are suitable, for Android - Google Camera, ProShot, Manual Camera.

Shoot fireworks on your phone only with a tripod. Even if you think your hands are steady and you are holding the smartphone still, the camera reacts to the slightest movement. When shooting on a phone without a tripod, there is a high chance of getting blurry photos.

In the camera settings of a smartphone, just like on a DSLR camera, you need to set the minimum ISO and shutter speed. It's best to shoot with a shutter speed of 1-4 seconds, so you have a better chance of capturing the moment when the fireworks burst. Set the focus to infinity. If you forget to adjust the focus manually, you will end up with a blurry picture.

Cool photos deserve an unusual framing. Print your cool shots in a Polaroid style. Fans of instant photography from the 90s can experience familiar feelings by holding a photo in the style of Polaroid. Those unfamiliar with traditional Polaroids will enjoy square images with space for captions.

"Take photos"
"in the style of a polaroid"

Catching a fireworks display can be quite challenging. Understanding the best way and moment to photograph fireworks and when to press the shutter button will come with experience. Practice taking pictures of sparks, sparklers, and home fireworks. Don't be discouraged if you don't get a quality photo on your first try. Many flaws can be corrected during post-processing. There will be many more fireworks in your life, and you will definitely capture successful holiday fireworks photos.