Fireworks, one of the most beautiful and brightest performances that never fails to brighten up the dark skies, bringing a big smile to many people watching the fireworks display. Fireworks photography is one of my favourite fields of photography, that I loved to capture and share with my friends and fans.

Therefore, I am hereby going to share my experiences and knowledge in taking fireworks photography, preparation, research and fireworks photography tips with all my readers here !

Research

– Where is the fireworks going to be fired ?

– When is the fireworks going to start ?

– Where are the potential locations that you can position yourself to capture fireworks ?

Equipment Preparation

– Tripod ~ Sturdy and stable

– Remote control

– Wide angle lens

– Black card

– Spare batteries

– Small torch light

Once you prepared your equipment and select your position to capture the fireworks,  proceed there early, usually the case is many photographers will also be there early too, hoping to get a good location just like you ! Getting there late and there might be more photographers and crowds joining in to enjoy and watch the fireworks too!

Camera Settings (on a DSLR)

– ISO 100

– Turn yr dial to Manual Mode

– Aperture ~ Suggest that you keep to either one of these 3 apertures f/8, f/11 or f/16 , for a start, go with f/11

– Shutter ~ Turn to Bulb Mode

– Lens ~ At its widest angle

– AF Mode ~ One Shot

– AF Drive ~ One Shot

With the stable and sturdy tripod and your DSLR fixed in nicely and safely, adjust the settings as above,

– Compose the frame (just like taking a wide landscape scene photo) and if possible get some nice background behind (e.g. buildings).

– Focus to infinity by turning the focus ring on your lens until you see the infinity symbol.

– Using the auto-focus on your DSLR, focus on the background, once it’s in focus, lock the focus and switch from AF to MF on your lens.

Once all is done, relax and wait for the fireworks to start ! Alright, when the fireworks display start, the first few shots, take it as test shots and see if you need to adjust your DSLR angle (Whether you need to tilt your  DSLR higher or lower). If you are happy with your framing, continue firing away !

During the fireworks display, how do you capture the fireworks display ?

– Wait for the fireworks to fire and fly upwards into the sky first, let it burst and once it start to spread out, press the shutter and it will start to capture, release the shutter and the fireworks display image will be captured.

How long do I need to hold/press  the shutter ?

– Depending on the different fireworks display within the entire display, release the shutter in between different sets/lengths of fireworks.

– Keep to 3 seconds to 5 seconds

OR

– Using a Black Card, cover the front of the lens when you do not wish to have unwanted lights / images captured (in between fireworks display), release the Black Card again when the fireworks display start again.

Last but not least, fireworks photography is all about practice and practice, therefore, when there are fireworks events, go join in and shoot ! Happy capturing fireworks display ! Hope my fireworks photography tips help you !


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.

9 Comments


  1. Thanks for the useful tips. Will try it if there’s any Fireworks in JB area.
    Haven’t really shoot on the fireworks before…:)

  2. Very detailed tips, great to have u to share them. U have taken lovely photos with ur techniques.

  3. Author

    Hi Ruiting

    Yes, there are indeed quite a number of things to take note !

    Once you get the hang of the basics of taking fireworks and shooting over time, all the things will come natural to you in future fireworks shooting !

    Hope u enjoy shooting fireworks !

  4. Author

    Hi Robo

    Hope my sharing of my fireworks photography tips here help you in shooting fireworks !

    Looking forward to your fireworks photographs ! 😀

  5. Author

    Hi Wilson

    Thanks for dropping by !!

    Glad that my fireworks photography tips are of great help to you !! Looking forward to your fireworks photographs !! 😀

  6. Thanks for sharing! My most recent experience was that I should make the most of the start of the fireworks. The smoke accumulating could ruin the shoot. Not forgetting, check the wind direction.

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