Photographing Fireworks

It’s the weekend of July 4th, and you’re ready to get out there and photograph those fireworks.

Or are you?

Fireworks can be tricky to photograph, but once you know the technique, it’s not hard at all. Here are a few tips to get the best fireworks photos.

What You’ll Need – Lens, Tripod, Remote

In general, you’ll need a camera with a wide-angle lens, a tripod (or a monopod if a tripod isn’t available), and a remote release for your camera if available. I shoot with a remote and my camera set to “Bulb” mode (past 30 seconds) so I can manually control the opening and closing of the shutter. It makes it much easier to time the fireworks, as the timing can get off very easily.

IMPORTANT TIP: Set your focus before the show (usually to infinity ∞ unless you’re super close), then set your autofocus to MANUAL. Otherwise, it will try to autofocus and you will miss the shot.

Settings Depend on the Setting

Are you photographing fireworks at home, or are you taking in one of the big shows? Your settings will vary. Here are a couple of starting points:

1. 1. Home fireworks — In general, start with F/11-F/13. You’re closer, so they’re brighter. A small aperture is a must. For your ISO, try 100-160. Finally, start your shutter at 2-6 seconds. Shorten this for fountains, because they’re so bright.
  2. Big shows — Open that aperture. F/3.5-F/7.1, depending on how far away and how bright the fireworks. ISO about the same, 100-160, to keep whites from burning out. Being further away, you can get several fireworks into one shot, so drop shutter speeds to 5-15 seconds. Don’t get too many, or they can burn out or become muddled.

Take Precautions!

Use Live View with your camera on a tripod so your face isn’t pressed to the camera and you can see what’s going on around you. Wear long sleeves and pants if you’re going to be close to the firing line (no polyester!). Always take standard fireworks precautions when shooting at home.

If you’re shooting the show at Arvest Ballpark, keep these settings in mind:

Because you’re so close, you’ll need to tighten the aperture from standard big shows. Start with F/8-F/11. Shutter speed can range from 5-10 seconds. Use shorter speeds (2-5 seconds) for the “fans” fireworks, because they are so bright.

Have fun, be safe and happy shooting!

What You’ll Need

Camera: Preferably one with great ISO.
Lens: Wide angle (10-24mm, 15-30mm, etc.)
Tripod: Or monopod if going to Arvest Ballpark, as tripods are not allowed
Remote: Wireless remote HIGHLY recommended
Focus: Set focus (usually to infinity ∞), then turn it to manual.

Photographer: Melissa L. Jones

Melissa has been a photographer for more than two decades. She has a broad interest in photography and specializes in weather photography, fireworks and bridges. Melissa has traveled much of the South photographing the vanishing metal bridges of the past century. The current Executive Chairperson for the Photographic Society of Northwest Arkansas, she has an energetic personality that translates in to fun yet informative classes.