Want to capture stunning shots of colorful explosions lighting up sky?
We've got you covered! First though, a reminder: Always be careful around fireworks. Use safety precautions to prevent risk of injury.
Choose the Right Lens for Your Vision.
A Wide Angle will allow you to capture a much wider scene that will include the landscape, whereas a Telephoto is a great option for isolating the Fireworks display.
Ready, Steady...
Use a solid tripod or set your camera on a steady surface. This helps to avoid "wiggly" fireworks trails. Use your camera’s self timer or a remote control to eliminate camera shake when manually pressing the shutter button.
Take Full Control.
Set your camera to manual mode (M) and try these settings as a starting point:
Set the ISO sensitivity between 200 and 500.
Change to manual focus and set the focusing point to infinity (∞).
Set the aperture between F8 and F16.
Try starting with an aperture of f/11 so the details of the fireworks don’t get lost in the highlights.
Try setting your shutter between 5-30 seconds
Depending on how many fireworks you want in a single frame.
Try to time the exposure with the timing of the fireworks streaks so you end up with dramatic light trails in your shots.
Alternatively, try setting the shutter speed to BULB.
In the BULB setting, the shutter will stay open as long you have the button engaged, and will shut when you release the button.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to play and adjust your settings to bring your artistic vision to life!
Fireworks Not Your Thing?
If, for whatever reason, you prefer to avoid the fireworks, you might like to:
Use sparklers to create unique portraits.
Draw with sparklers and capture the light.
Set up a BBQ Photo Shoot with props and a backdrop
Add some fun to the family cook out.
Be safe, have fun, and enjoy!
