How to Take Pictures of Fireworks
Fireworks are truly things of beauty. Ever feel like you want to
preserve the moment when they burst in the sky fully? Include the
fireworks display as one of the things you want to remember on that
special occasion by learning how to take good pictures of fireworks.
Here’s how.
Scope the Site
Since fireworks come and go in literally a moment, knowing where to
stand and shoot in advance will get rid of the necessity of doing it
when crunch time comes. Determine where the clearest shots to the sky
will be, and if you can’t place markers on them, try to arrive earlier
than the crowd and memorize the spots.
Invest in Camera Devices
Nothing ruins a good fireworks shot than a shaky hand and a blurry
shot. Having a tripod helps get rid of this problem altogether. Having
a remote release device is also a big help. Once the tripod, the
remote release device and the camera are all set up, all you have to
do is frame the picture and wait for the fireworks to come. Keep in
mind, though, that not all cameras are equipped to have a release
device attached to them, so check the make of your camera first.
Focal Length
While the idea of tightly-cropped picture of a single burst of
fireworks, practicality states that a wider focal length is needed
when taking pictures of fireworks. You can later get your tighter
shots by editing them in Photoshop.
Aperture
If you think you need a high aperture when taking pictures of
fireworks, think again. Since fireworks emit a bright light, you only
need a relatively short range of apertures, specifically from f/8 to
f/16. Just try any aperture within this range, until you find one that
works for you.
Shutter Speed
Fireworks move very fast and change very quickly, so the best way to
capture the moment is a good long exposure. However, you have to
balance this with avoiding keeping the shutter open too long. This is
usually done out of a desire to take as many bursting fireworks at the
same time in one picture. Don’t do this. Just try to get fireworks one
burst at a time. Sometimes it’s all a matter of luck and timing, and
not overexposure.
Camera Settings
Here are the settings your camera should be in when taking pictures of
fireworks:
* ISO 100 * Manual mode * Turn off your flash
Every now and then, try and take pictures of the people watching the
fireworks display. Their expressions of joy and wonderment are as good
as any great burst of fireworks. When to Take Pictures
Having trouble timing when to press the button to take a picture? Wait
until you hear the fireworks explosion and press that button! Of
course that’s not a surefire way to do it, but you can keep trying
until you’ve gotten the timing down.
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