Shooting fireworks

Fourth of July celebrations are right around the corner and that can mean only one thing: Fireworks! So here are some tips on how to shoot fireworks like a pro.

First you’re going to need a camera that allows YOU to control the aperture and shutter speed. Second, you’re gonna need a tripod to make sure that camera doesn’t move. And third, it wouldn’t hurt to have a small flashlight with you, just in case.

When you first get to the site, do two things: No. 1 is look around and figure out where the people will be sitting and where the fireworks will be exploding and No. 2 is get away from where the people will be sitting. You need to do this because a) most of the general public will want to sit to watch and you’ll be standing and blocking someone’s view, and b) you don’t want folks tripping over your equipment. Pro tip: Look around and see where the families of the local firemen are sitting. (They usually stake out the best spots for themselves.)

Once you’ve figured out where to set up, attach your camera to the tripod and set your shutter speed way down to somewhere in the one to three second range. (In other words, you want your shutter to be open for one to three seconds each time you push the button – which is why the tripod is mandatory.) Keep your ISO speed as low as possible – 100 ISO is fine and then set your aperture to someplace around f8.  Now flip the tripod mounting plate (with camera attached) to vertical orientation.

Now, this part is important: If your camera is set for autofocus (and most cameras are) turn it off and focus the lens manually on infinity and leave it there. You see, it’s going to be dark up there in the sky and you’re gonna want to trip the shutter button BEFORE the individual explosions occur. Therefore, there will be nothing up in the sky for the autofocus to grab onto when you push the button. If you don’t disable the autofocus, every time you push the button the camera mechanism will go “zooosh, zooosh, zooosh, zooosh…” back and forth trying to focus on something that isn’t there yet and you’ll miss the shot every time. (Missing the shot is bad. Very bad.)

When the first warning shot goes spiraling skyward, look through the viewfinder and make sure the explosion happens someplace in the frame. If it doesn’t, adjust your tripod so that the subsequent explosions are in the viewfinder. You don’t have to actually take a picture, just keep tracking the blasts until you’re positive your camera can see them. It’s okay if you miss the first couple of explosions. Just keep adjusting the camera/tripod combination until most of the blasts are in the camera’s field of vision.

Now you’re ready. Every time the fireworks leave the ground they go “whoomph” so just follow them with your eyes until they approach your camera’s field of view. Just before they get there (usually 2-3 seconds) gently press your shutter button and then stand back. Let the camera take the picture and then wait for the next “whoomph” and do it again. You’re trying to time it so that you’re pushing the button one second before the shell bursts.

Some experts will tell you to use a shutter release cable to minimize camera shake.  Personally, I don’t think they’re really necessary in this situation. Just push the button gently and then take your finger away smoothly you should be okay.

The thing is, you’re not going to capture every explosion perfectly. Shooting fireworks is really hit or miss. Just keep working on your timing and letting the fireworks explode in your viewfinder. Early on, you might want to take a quick look at the LCD screen to see if your exposure is on. If it looks too bright, stop down on the aperture. If it looks too dark, open up a little.

One more thing: You need to be ready for the grand finale when
all hell breaks loose. Once it starts, stop down your lens all the way
to f/22 and lower the shutter speed to 1 second or so because there is
so much light bouncing around you’ll need to control it.

Typically, I’ll take 200 or more shots during a fireworks display and usually get around 50 “keepers.” So just keep at it. Pro tip: As soon as you get back to your computer, weed out the bad ones and immediately delete them from your computer. Then only show people the good ones. They’ll think you’re a star.

Here’s an article on how the Smithsonian Institution photographers shoot fireworks. Here’s another one with some fine advice.

Today’s advice: See above.