Soaking in a professional fireworks is a July 4th tradition in many parts of the United States. Between the barbecues and the good times spent with friends and family, you will probably be bombarded with images of fireworks over the next few days. And while these Instagram and Twitter users are well meaning, the truth is that most of these photos will be nil.
The good news is, you do not have to be a professional photographer to take amazing pictures of fireworks. All you need is a basic equipment and a little know-how, which we will offer you today.
Preparation
First, check the weather. If it is raining outside, the show will probably be canceled or postponed at the very least. Precipitation is only part of the problem because you will also need to know how windy it will be. The mess conditions can often be your worst enemy when trying to photograph a pyrotechnic show.
Assuming time passes, the next thing you want to do is find a suitable place to install your store in advance. It's easier if you are familiar with the area, know exactly where the fireworks will be launched or ideally, have attended a show at the selected location in the past. If you are new to the area or place and you are really looking for quality shots, it is not a bad idea to spot the place in advance.
I usually try to stay a little out of the way because being too close means that you will have to position your camera higher up to the sky. A standard kit lens can do the job, but if you have access to a wide-angle lens, this may be your first choice.
The Basics
While a digital SLR is the obvious choice for capturing stunning images, it's not the only option to choose. Olympus, Panasonic and Sony's mirror-less cameras will also make an excellent choice, even if you can get by with a point-and-shoot or even a smartphone if that's all you have. Ideally, you will want to use manual controls for best results, but no matter what camera you use, you will need a tripod.
Eliminating camera vibration is a must if you want usable results and the only way to do it is with a tripod. Plus, you'll want to capture images without touching the camera (again, even the slightest vibration can ruin a photo). I've had great results with wireless triggers, although wired options can also do the trick.
If none of these options is available, you can try using the self-timer on your camera. This is difficult, however, because predicting exactly when a shell will explain in the air can be difficult at best. If you have a super stable tripod, gently pressing the shutter button can work as well, but I do recommend it as a last resort.
Do not neglect simple things during preparation. Be sure to fully charge your camera's battery, bring accessories if you have them, and clear your memory card. If everything goes as planned, you will be able to shoot without stopping during the display and if events in your area look like those I've seen, they can last for more than half an hour.
Setting up your camera
As before, the use of the manual mode of your camera is optimal when shooting fireworks. Some cameras offer presets to capture fireworks, but you will get the best results if you have total control of the action.
There are four key things to adjust in manual mode: aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus mode.
Opening In order to fire fireworks, you must set your aperture somewhere between f / 8 and f / 11. This will produce a greater depth of field and allow fireworks to be all developed at the same time.
Shutter Speed There is really no good or bad option as long as you have more than one second. I've experimented with shutter speeds up to eight seconds, but my best shots are usually at 1-2 seconds. Feel free to adjust the shutter speed during the show and check your results as you go to see what works best for you.
ISO Adjusts the light sensitivity of your camera. It is useful in low light situations to reduce shutter opening time, but as we are looking for a long shutter, it is best to keep the ISO value as low as possible. This will also reduce image noise, an unwanted side effect of long exposures and high ISO values.
Focus Mode If your camera has a manual focus mode, it will be the best choice for the majority of fireworks. I usually start autofocus and let the camera lock when the first fireworks go up, then switch to manual mode. This method ensures that all images are in focus and you do not have to worry when the autofocus system tries to look for focus when there is not a lot of light.
Other considerations
It goes without saying that if you already invest so much time in capturing the show, you should shoot with the best possible picture quality. You can both make the most of your camera and if you have brought additional memory cards, the size of large files will not be a problem.
Some cameras offer a feature called long exposure noise reduction. As the name suggests, this feature will attempt to reduce the noise caused by long shutter times - and it is usually very good. The only problem is that it takes twice as long to capture a single image when it is activated. So make sure this feature is turned off or that you will miss half of the show while your camera is taking a picture with the shutter closed. Also, turn off the flash on your camera. It will not help at all when shooting aerial fireworks
Some additional tips
Capturing fireworks against a black sky certainly works but if you have the option of a cityscape, try to incorporate this into some of your plans. At least, try to include other viewers in the frame to give your images a little more depth and perspective.
As mentioned earlier, the wind can wreak havoc on your photos. If you get a perfectly calm evening for shooting, congratulations. For most of us, however, there will be at least some flowing breeze. In this case, you will want to avoid being downstream from it. After the explosion of the first mortar shells, the smoke that results will inevitably drift and ruin the rest of your shots.
Above all, your success will depend on the timing and prediction of explosions. Snap nonstop for the duration of the broadcast, stopping only to adjust settings or change equipment. You will definitely get many shots, but if you've followed everything in this guide and Mother Nature cooperates, you'll leave with great photos and the envy of your friends and family.
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