My seven tips for photographing fireworks

1. Use a tripod and remote shutter release
2. Use Bulb mode with a remote shutter, or if you don't have one use Manual mode and 5 seconds 
3. f/8 to f/13 and ISO100
4. Compose your shot before it gets dark, focus on something distant and then set your lens to manual focus
5. Be conscious of crowds and people setting up in front of you
6. Check your preview and histogram after a couple of shots and adjust aperture as needed
7. Don’t forget to have fun and enjoy yourself!

Need more information? Read on…

Fireworks photography equipment:

• Camera (duh) – one that you preferably have manual control over
• The wider the lens the better, or fully zoomed out for point and click cameras
• Tripod - or if you forgot it, a flat stable surface for the camera to sit on
• Remote shutter release

Fireworks photography settings:

• Bulb mode if you have a remote shutter trigger, Manual mode without one
• Using Bulb and a remote shutter trigger you control the exposure length
• Using Manual mode set exposure time somewhere around 5 seconds
• Aperture around f/8 to f/13
• ISO100
• Noise Reduction off
• Lens stabilisation off

Fireworks photography technique:

The tripod is essential (unless you have a flat steady surface you can use) and a remote shutter release if you can – generic brands can be had at your favourite camera store. Personally I use Bulb and a remote shutter release so I can control exactly when and how long I want the shutter open. Once I hear the thump of fireworks mortars firing I’ll trigger the exposure and hold it open. Once I’m satisfied with the glory that has filled the sky I’ll close it.

If you don’t have a remote shutter then I recommend manual exposure time of only up to 10 seconds. Any longer and the image will become very busy. But have a piece of black card, a hat or similar you can hold in front of the lens so you can “stop” the exposure if you think you have a pretty good grouping and don’t want it washed out by subsequent fireworks. Also if you don’t have a remote shutter release ensure that you press the camera shutter button gently so you don’t introduce tripod shake into your images.

If you get there early enough compose your shot before it gets too dark. Focus the camera on something in the distance, or set the lens to infinity. Lastly set your lens to manual focus and don’t touch it again – this is so it doesn’t try to refocus when you take shots later. It can also be nice to have something in the foreground too, give your fireworks a sense of place, trees, buildings, even people. Do be conscious of where you setup though, with large crowds of people it can be all too easy for someone to camp in front of you and stand in front of your camera for the duration of the show – no fun at all.

Once the fireworks start check your preview and histogram after the first couple of shots of fireworks and make any corrections as needed. Corrections might include opening or closing your aperture a stop or two depending on how bright or dark the fireworks appear. If you are getting lots of blowouts in the fireworks streaks on the histogram choose a smaller aperture (larger f/ number). If the streaks look like they’re fading too early choose a larger aperture (smaller f/ number).

Following the above settings you should get some pretty good shots and you will only get better with practice.

Also remember to have fun and engage with the spectacular! Can be easy to get too hung up in your camera and forget to experience the show