Fantastic Fireworks Photos in Four Bites

By Robert Bezman

Fireworks are the visual rulers of the nighttime universe. No matter how many times we see and experience their bombastic splendor, we always return to see what new designs will be exploded onto the darkened sky.

Watching fireworks is easy. Taking fantastic fireworks photos is not. Although photographing these light shows are more challenging than capturing a daylight shot of Uncle Ben riding a goat, it is not impossible. By following these four fireworks guidelines, you will take years off your learning curve and come away with fantastic fireworks photos.

There are four main categories of guidelines to understand, in order to take fireworks photos that aren't all black or out of focus. The big four are:

1. Equipment
2. Picking Your Location
3. Controls and Settings
4. Photographing Fireworks

Equipment

In addition to the standard equipment list including batteries, memory, camera bag, etc.; here is a shortened list of critical fireworks-only equipment to bring along:

* Tripod - Realize that your results will probably be disappointing if you don't use a tripod!
* An external shutter release (a.k.a. a "cable release")
* A tiny flashlight so you won't be fumbling around in the dark trying to move camera controls
* A chair that is easy to get in and out of

For best results, your camera should be able to focus manually as well as be able to set desired shutter speeds of up to 15 seconds, or "bulb." If you have never taken a picture with your camera other than in the "Automatic" setting, it's time to review your owner's manual and determine what the maximum shutter speed is.

Picking Your Location

Choosing the optimal location is a little bit harder than deciding how you can squeeze into a piece of 2 foot x 3-foot real estate on the lawn.

* Look For The Optimum Vantage Point: Avoid sitting in an area with obstructions such as streetlights, overhead wires, or trees.
* Decide if you want to capture additional elements (such as reflections off bodies of water or landmarks) with your fireworks photos, and if so-position yourself accordingly.
* If you are going to be taking fireworks photos, it is worth your time to spend 30 minutes before the show begins to pick out the best location.

Controls and Settings

Unlike taking pictures in the daytime, there is a little bit more setup involved with nighttime photography. For starters, change the ISO setting to 200 or 400. You want your camera to be more sensitive to light but not so sensitive that it will create "digital noise."

* Change the focusing mode on your camera to manual and focus your camera to infinity.
* Set up and level the tripod.
* Attach the remote shutter release to the camera and use that to fire the shutter.
* Adjust the shutter speed. If you have a "Bulb" setting, this is the time to use it.
* If you do not have a bulb setting, use a mid range aperture such as F/5.6 and set the shutter speed to at least 1 to 2 seconds.

Photographing Fireworks

Obviously this is what it all comes down to. It doesn't matter that you perfectly prepared with the perfect equipment if you never took any pictures of fireworks.

Your camera is on its tripod and the shutter release cable is attached. What's next?

* Verify that the manual focus is on infinity.
* Point your camera toward the area of sky where you believe the fireworks will be exploding. (Don't be too disappointed if you need to reposition the target area; most do at first.)
* Your shutter speed is on "bulb" or set for at least 1 to 2 seconds. When do you fire the shutter? Unlike daylight photography, firing the shutter BEFORE the fireworks go off is a good idea.

Nobody can tell you when to fire the shutter because it is based on what type of fireworks photograph you want to capture. With that said, here are four possible indicators of when you might want to trip the shutter:

1. When you hear the next rocket being launched
2. When the launch trail becomes visible
3. Just before the rocket explodes, or
4. Just after the rocket explodes.

This article is a partial excerpt from our popular eBook "How to Take Unforgettable Nighttime Photos" found here -- http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/NighttimePhotography-FireworkseBooks

Robert Bezman is a professional photographer whose website http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/index.html contains thousands of tips, photographic freebies, eBooks (http://www.best-family-photography-tips.com/QuickTipseBooks) and all sorts of practical advice for the beginning and intermediate photographer. Keep in the loop with the latest tips by signing up for our free newsletter "Get the Picture?"

© 2005 Robert Bezman. All rights reserved.

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