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How to Photograph Fireworks

KEY POINTS
1.Tripod Long exposures mean that a tripod is essential. 2.Focus Manual, usually infinity 8. 3.ISO speed Slow speed - try iso100 4.Aperture / shutter speed At ISO 100 choose f8 - f16 5.Exposure Down to experience and judgement. May be 4s for a busy sky, but 10s+ in slower sequences.
Digital Photography	Firework Photographs

Exciting firework photographs with your digital camera

Camera

1. Point and Shoot.
Today's cameras with IS (image stabilisation) and program modes pre-set for different circumstances, will take excellent fireworks photographs.

Use the Fireworks pre-set
Brace the camera to keep it as steady as possible
Big vollies of shellbursts will give the best results

2. Compact, Bridge & DSLR

To take your photography up a notch, use a camera with complete manual control:

The important setting is the one which gives you complete control of the length of exposure: the B setting. The shutter stays open as long as you hold down the button.

Tripod

Exposures will be several seconds so a tripod is essential. It is always recommended that a remote shutter-release is used with a tripod and most systems will also suggest you turn off Image Stabilising.

Plan Ahead

Now you have the kit assembled, it's time to think about the actual phography. It is useful to find out as much as you can in the daylight. If you can, visit the display site and view the layout. Find a position away from the crowd, and observe the wind speed and direction with the smoke in mind.

Exposure & Settings

Focus: Manual. Set the focus in daylight and don't move it. In most circumstances, infinity ( ) is OK.
White Balance: auto (AWB). Auto White Balance is fine.
Image Stabilisation: off
ISO: 100 Low speeds are best.
f stop: ISO 100 . . . . . f/8 or f/11
ISO 64 . . . . . . f/5.6 or f/8
ISO 50 . . . . . . f/5.6 or f/8

Composition & Technique

Many of today's firework show designers like to use plenty of width as well as height. Landscape format works best for these and it is best to keep the camera in this plane.
The best exposure is achieved by experience and judgement. If you can imagine a single shell-burst, it will take several seconds to burst and fade fully and this is a good guide for exposure time.

Helpful Hints

Try to have something in the shot to establish a sense of scale e.g trees but especially people, to create a sense of occasion.
Watch out for lights in the scene - e.g. street lights, even the moon. Because your exposure will be a long one, these can spoil the end result.
Frame and focus in the daylight, then try and avoid moving the camera. It will be difficult to level it again in the dark.
Fireworks produce smoke whcich can hang around. Your first shots can be the clearest so be ready from the start.
A firework display can often be photographed just as effectively from behind. Of course, this is where the fall-out zone is so you will need to be much further away and to compensate with a longer lens.
Don't forget a folding chair (and maybe a flask and a sandwich). If you've set-up in daylight there may be a long wait till dusk.

Jubilee Fireworks ‘Lake of Dreams’ display, Southport 2007 More photographs »