15 Powerful Tips for Gorgeous Fireworks Photography

The post 15 Powerful Tips for Gorgeous Fireworks Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.

Fireworks, oh how they light up the night sky with their vibrant colors and explosive beauty! There’s something truly magical about witnessing a fireworks display, and as a photography enthusiast, you can’t help but feel the burning desire to capture those fleeting moments forever.

However, shooting fireworks can be incredibly challenging and require some real technical finesse. That’s where this article comes in handy; I explore a handful of effective approaches to help you master the art of fireworks photography and capture awe-inspiring shots.

Specifically, I share:

• The best settings for fireworks images
• Essential fireworks photo gear
• A simple way to prevent image blur
• Much more!

So if you’re ready to learn how to photograph fireworks, then let’s dive right in!

1. Use a tripod to keep your camera still

To capture sharp fireworks shots, it is crucial to keep your camera perfectly still, and this generally requires the use of a sturdy tripod.

Why is a tripod so important? Fireworks displays occur at night, when lighting conditions are challenging, and long shutter speeds are necessary (more on this later!). When you’re capturing a lengthy exposure, even the slightest camera shake can result in blurry images – unless your camera is set up on a rock-solid tripod, that is.

Ensure that you set up your tripod on a stable surface and shield it from any potential wind. If you don’t already own a tripod, there are affordable options available, including some portable travel tripods. If you don’t have the time or money to purchase a tripod, you can always improvise by placing your camera on the ground or a table.

Note that shooting with a tripod offers additional benefits: It enables you to try HDR bracketing, and it encourages you to compose more deliberately and thoughtfully by slowing down the process.

2. Use a remote release to further reduce camera shake

Even with your camera securely mounted on a sturdy tripod, there’s a risk of camera shake when you press the shutter button, resulting in blurry shots. This is why a remote release is an essential firework photography accessory.

A remote release is a wireless device that connects to your camera, allowing you to trigger the shutter from a distance. By using the remote, you eliminate the need to physically touch the camera, ensuring maximum stability and sharpness in your images.

Happily, investing in a remote release won’t break the bank (they’re quite affordable)! However, if you don’t have one or prefer not to purchase it, you can get a similar result by activating your camera’s two-second self-timer. While this method isn’t ideal – you’ll need to anticipate the firework bursts and fire the shutter two seconds in advance – it can still get the job done.

3. Scout the location in advance

When it comes to capturing stunning fireworks photographs, preparation is key. Firework displays take place after sunset, and if you’ve ever tried to compose in the dark, you’ll know that it is hard. To ensure you make the most of the limited time you have to photograph the spectacle, it is crucial to scout the location in advance.

Visiting the location earlier in the day allows you to familiarize yourself with the surroundings and identify potential vantage points that will offer breathtaking perspectives. Seek out locations that allow for expansive and sweeping shots, where you can capture the full grandeur of the display. Consider the angles, sightlines, and potential obstacles that may hinder your view or introduce unwanted distractions. By doing so, you can position yourself to capture the magic as it unfolds.

Note, however, that while scouting the location in advance provides you with valuable insights, it doesn’t mean you have to rigidly stick to predetermined compositions. Embrace the spontaneity of the moment and be open to improvisation. Fireworks are dynamic, and each explosion brings unique patterns and colors to the sky. Use your scouting knowledge as a foundation, but allow yourself to experiment and adapt on the spot!

4. Anticipate the best compositions

Even if you’ve done plenty of scouting, one of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge is that you generally need to compose before the fireworks actually burst, so anticipation is key. Here are a few quick tips to help you select compositions in advance:

• Watch a few bursts before you shoot. In general, each new firework will come from (roughly) the same spot, so by observing the skies, you can get a sense of where to train your camera. You can also get a sense of how long you have between bursts; that way, you can be ready to fire the shutter before each new explosion.
• Decide whether to shoot vertically or horizontally. You can capture fireworks vertically (portrait orientation) or horizontally (landscape orientation). Both can work for fireworks photography, but I personally prefer a vertical perspective – after all, there’s a lot of vertical firework movement! Horizontal shots are nice if you’re after an expansive shot using a wide-angle lens, however.
• Refine your framing. Once you’ve found a nice composition, don’t take a single shot and then move on to the next frame. Instead, see if you can improve the result by moving to one side, getting down low, getting up high, etc. You might be surprised by what you can create when you really dedicate yourself to working the scene.

5. Enhance your compositions with foreground interest

Beginner firework photographers often just point their camera at the sky and shoot away – but while this can produce nice results, if your goal is to create captivating images that leave a lasting impact, incorporating an interesting foreground is a great idea.

You see, by seamlessly blending a magnificent sky explosion with a compelling foreground, you offer viewers a visual journey. They can start by appreciating the foreground’s charm before engaging with the mesmerizing backdrop.

Note that you can include all sorts of elements as your foreground interest: buildings, mountains, hills stretching into the distance, or even amusement park rides. The choice is yours, but I encourage you to think carefully about which foreground elements will really complement the fireworks display.

By the way, if you can include foreground elements that offer leading lines, the results will be especially spectacular. These lines can create a visual pathway that not only connects the foreground and the fireworks but also enhances the overall composition!

6. Experiment with different focal lengths

Firework photography comes with a major dilemma:

On the one hand, you can use a telephoto lens (such as a 70-200mm), which will get you detailed shots of the fireworks but is difficult to use. With a long lens, you’ll need to keep your camera trained on the right part of the sky at the right time, and it can be easy to miss.

On the other hand, you can use a wide-angle lens (such as a 24-70mm), which will capture the entire skyline but won’t offer lots of detail. Wide-angle lenses feature great “safety” focal lengths because you can generally trust that they’ll include the fireworks in the scene, even if the results aren’t quite as impactful as you might like.

So which lens should you use? I’d recommend working primarily with a wide-angle zoom. Then, once you’ve grabbed a few wide-angle shots that you like, switch over to your telephoto lens and see if you can nail some close-ups.

Of course, if your camera offers enough resolution, you do have the option to crop afterward – just bear that in mind!

7. Use smaller apertures for the best fireworks photography

The lens aperture controls the image depth of field – that is, whether the scene features a small sliver of sharpness (shallow depth of field) or whether the scene is sharp throughout (deep depth of field). But what aperture is right for photographing fireworks?

If you’re capturing fireworks that are far off in the distance and you have no foreground subjects, then you can get away with pretty much any aperture, from wide options like f/2.8 to narrow options like f/16.

However, if your composition features foreground elements or the fireworks are relatively close to your position, then you’ll want to use a narrow aperture (anywhere between f/8 and f/16 is good).

The narrower aperture will widen the depth of field, ensuring that the fireworks and the rest of the scene turn out sharp.

8. Use a longer shutter speed (but don’t let it go too long!)

Fireworks are a moving subject, and shutter speed deals with subject motion. So if you want to get great fireworks shots, you must choose the perfect shutter speed.

Now, fireworks leave beautiful light trails, and you can capture this with a longer shutter speed. However, you don’t want to let the shutter go for too long. Fireworks are bright, and if you’re not careful, you’ll end up with lots of clipped highlights in your frames.

An easy method to handle this is by switching your camera over to Bulb mode. Once in Bulb mode, the shutter will remain open for as long as you hold down the shutter button (or the shutter release).

When a firework is about to explode, you can hit the shutter button. And you can hold down the button until the explosion is finished.

9. Use a low ISO for the cleanest shots

High ISOs create brighter exposures, but they also create noise, which reduces image quality and looks plain bad.

So whenever possible, use your camera’s lowest native ISO setting. And only raise the ISO if your exposures are turning out too dark.

As I mentioned above, fireworks tend to be very bright, so you probably won’t need to raise your ISO. I’d recommend setting it to ISO 100 and letting it sit unless it absolutely needs a boost.

10. Shoot in RAW

For fireworks photographers, photographing in RAW is a game-changer. While beginners may opt for JPEG files due to their simplicity and immediate usability, you won’t be able to realize the true potential of your fireworks photographs without working in RAW.

JPEG files may seem appealing at first, with their smaller size and lack of post-processing requirements. However, they limit your creative freedom when it comes to refining your images. On the other hand, RAW files offer an abundance of possibilities during post-processing. These versatile files allow you to recover details hidden in shadows and highlights, ensuring that every element is faithfully preserved. With RAW, you also have the ability to fine-tune colors and tones, enhancing the overall impact of your firework photographs.

While it’s true that RAW files require post-processing before sharing them on websites or social media platforms, the editing process can be remarkably quick. Software programs like Adobe Lightroom offer intuitive interfaces that allow you to quickly convert RAW shots into a shareable files.

So don’t let the additional workflow step deter you from shooting in RAW; it is an investment that pays off with extraordinary results.

11. Switch off your flash

It’s simple, really:

An on-camera flash (or even an off-camera flash) can only illuminate the area a handful of meters in front of you. Therefore, a flash cannot affect a firework, and turning on your camera’s flash will only serve to waste battery.

Plus, if your camera uses a flash metering system, an active flash will cause the fireworks to come out dark. And constant flashing may even frustrate other folks trying to watch the fireworks.

So switch your flash off. And use the long-exposure technique I discussed above!

12. Include reflections in your firework compositions

Looking to elevate your firework shots from ordinary to extraordinary? Incorporating reflections into your compositions can provide that extra touch of brilliance.

You’ll need to strategically position yourself to include a reflective surface with the frame, but finding a suitable reflective object is easier than you might think. While lakes and ponds can always work, you can also unleash your creativity by utilizing puddles, glossy car surfaces, or even sunglass lenses.

I’d also encourage you to experiment with different compositions. For instance, try placing the horizon line in different areas of the frame and see what you think of the results. A dead-center horizon will yield a symmetrical shot infused with tension, while a horizon positioned in the upper or lower third of the frame will infuse your image with a dynamic and captivating feel.

13. Use manual focusing for sharp shots

Mirrorless autofocus systems are better than ever before – yet focusing in low light still causes cameras to struggle. Plus, refocusing on each new burst of fireworks takes time, which may ultimately cause you to miss the shot.

Therefore, instead of trying to autofocus, switch your lens over to manual focus.

Then, when you see the first burst of fireworks, manually adjust the focus ring until the scene appears sharp. Take a test shot, and be sure to zoom in on your LCD screen to make sure it looks good.

Once you’ve acquired perfect focus, simply leave it alone for the rest of the fireworks show, and the results will turn out great (especially if you’re using a narrow aperture!).

One note: Changing focal lengths will change the plane of focus on most lenses, so if you zoom in or out, you should check your point of focus (and re-focus if necessary).

14. Include people in your images

While the magnificent bursts of fireworks alone can create awe-inspiring images, incorporating people into your compositions can elevate your fireworks photos to new heights.

For one, including human figures in your frames will introduce a sense of scale that emphasizes the grandeur of the dazzling light show unfolding in the night sky. Additionally, people can act as foreground interest, adding depth and narrative to your photographs.

Plus, you can use people to tell stories; a solitary figure gazing in awe at the fireworks can evoke a sense of wonder, while a group of friends or a couple holding hands can portray a shared moment of joy and celebration.

One fascinating element to explore when including people in firework photography is the interplay between focus points. Experiment with different approaches to create varied effects. You can choose to focus on the fireworks, allowing the people in the foreground to become slightly blurred – or you can focus on the people in the foreground, intentionally blurring the fireworks in the background, creating an ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere. Both techniques can yield compelling results, so don’t hesitate to try different focal points and see which resonates with your artistic vision!

15. Experiment and evaluate your results

As you shoot, don’t be afraid to experiment with different compositions and ideas! For instance, you might zoom in for a tighter perspective, zoom out for a wider perspective, change your angle, include people or buildings in the frame, and much more.

Also, periodically check your results for perfect sharpness, composition, and exposure.

I recommend taking a few photos at the start of the photoshoot. Review them on your LCD. If they look good, then keep going (and if they look bad, make the necessary adjustments!). Be sure to view your shots throughout the shoot to make sure you haven’t messed up in some significant way.

How to photograph fireworks: final words

And there you have it! Armed with these tips and techniques, you’re ready to capture the dazzling magic of fireworks like a seasoned pro.

Remember, it’s not just about pointing your camera to the sky and hoping for the best. Incorporating a captivating foreground adds depth and engages your viewer from the get-go. You can also prepare yourself by exploring the location in advance, seeking out prime vantage points, and envisioning different compositions. Finally, remember that flexibility is key. Be ready to adapt on the spot and let your creativity soar.

So grab your camera, head to the next firework extravaganza, and have plenty of fun!

Now over to you:

Which of these tips do you plan to use first? What fireworks will you photograph? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post 15 Powerful Tips for Gorgeous Fireworks Photography appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Darren Rowse.