Fireworks

Photographing fireworks requires insight.

Fireworks, a favourite part of any celebration, are especially enjoyable when executed on a large scale.  These pyrotechnics are done at night when their stunning colours and magic can truly be appreciated.  It is this fact though that is part of the challenge of photographing them.  Using a hand held camera set to automatic will certainly end with disappointing results.  There are a few pointers which will help you to improve that outcome.

First of all, a tripod is important.  Unfortunately there has been a tendency at events to deny their use.  If you plan to shoot fireworks it is a good idea to find out if a tripod is allowed, if special permission is required, or if there is an area available designated for their use.  Most exposures run for 10 to 15 seconds, and you can be more creative if you go longer than that.

The right camera settings play a large roll in achieving success.  In particular there are three things you can do.  These include:

     a)  Setting your camera to manual mode using the mode dial is by far your best choice.

     b)  Make sure AUTO ISO is turned off and that the ISO is set to a value of 100.

     c)  Set the lens' aperture to f/11 or f/16.  The above shot used an aperture of f/16.  

The manual setting lets you choose aperture and shutter speed values independent of each other.  Although it is dark out, you will be making long exposures and want the background dark.  An ISO of 100 will facilitate that.  Most importantly though is the aperture; fireworks burn very hot and their colours will wash out (actually be blown out, which seems very apropos given the subject) if lower aperture values or higher ISO values are selected.  I find that the apertures suggested work very well.  The only exception to that would be in situations where the brightness is muted because of things like rain, smoke, or distance.

If you happen to have a remote release, this is the chance you have been waiting for.  Set your camera to "bulb", which is most often found as the very lowest setting on manual.  Bulb allows you to keep the shutter open as long as the release is pressed.  This way you can start and stop exposures when the right combination of explosions has occurred.

If no remote is available, then set your camera's shutter speed to anywhere from 10 to 30 seconds.  Start the exposure and pay attention to the bursts.  If you have gotten a nice grouping of shots, use your hand to cover the lens to prevent any additional displays from being recorded.  You can also put your hand over to block certain ones out and take it off to let others be exposed.  Another way of doing this is to use multiple exposures on the same image.  You can "paint" your own display if you like.