The Quick & Easy Guide to Photographing Fireworks

Ready to get out there and enjoy a fireworks show with your family? Want to know how to shoot fireworks? No problem! Here is a very simple and easy list of fireworks photography tips that will have you creating gorgeous images in no time. Depending on where you are in the world, that could happening very soon (Hello Montreal!). It's super easy to get started on photographing
fireworks, just follow these quick steps:

How to Photograph Fireworks:

1.  Use a tripod
2. Turn your flash off
3. Use a zoom lens if you can (until the fireworks start, you won't know exactly where in the sky the fireworks will appear).
4. Shoot in manual mode
5. Use a low ISO like 50 or 100

 


6. Set shutter speed to bulb
7. Aperture should be between f/8 and f/16
8. Hold the shutter open for about the amount of time you see the fireworks in the sky you are capturing, somewhere between 1-15 seconds. Experiment with this a bit to see what you like.

That's it. Easy, right? Here are some bonus tips for you over-achievers:

Bonus Tips:

• If you can, get set up prior to the show, because once fireworks start, they usually go quickly.
• If you have a wireless remote or cable release, use it.
• Play with framing. If you are at a scenic spot, it adds a lot to the image to have a bridge, landmark building etc. in the frame. The other option is to go tight on the fireworks, pretty much filling your frame.
• Take a small flashlight so you can easily adjust settings
• Over shoot to give yourself more options. Some of the best fireworks images are actually composites of multiple firework blooms.

Because our readers are a super globe-trotting bunch of artists, here are some locations around the world with some amazing opportunities to work on your fireworks photography.

Photographing Fireworks Around the World:

June 30 –  International Fireworks Competition, Montreal, Canada

July 1 –  Canada Day, throughout Canada

July 4 ^– Independence Day, throughout the US

July 7 – International Fireworks Competition, Montreal, Canada

July 14 – International Fireworks Competition, Montreal

July 14 – International Fireworks Festival, Cannes, France

Play with different compositions to get some different effects.

July 14 – Festa del Redentore, Venice, Italy

July 15 – Festa del Redentore, Venice, Italy

July 17 – International Fireworks Competition, Montreal, Canada

July 21 – International Fireworks Competition, Montreal, Canada

July 21 – International Fireworks Festival, Cannes, France

July 28 – Celebration of Light, Vancouver

July 29 – International Fireworks Festival, Cannes, France

August 1 – Celebration of Light, Vancouver

August 4 – Celebration of Light, Vancouver

August 7 – International Fireworks Festival, Cannes, France

August 11 – Fetes De Geneve Fireworks Show, Geneva, Switzerland

August 15 – International Fireworks Festival, Cannes, France

August 20 – Budapest Fireworks Show, Budapest

August 21 – International Fireworks Festival, Cannes, France

August 25 – Omagari National Fireworks Competition, Japan

November 5 – Bonfire Day, London, England

December 31 – New Year's Eve Celebrations, Everywhere

2013

January 26 – Australia Day, throughout Australia

April 20, Thunder Over Louisville, Kentucky (US)

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