Photographing fireworks is trickier than it might seem. Your subject is not only a moving target – and the very source of light in the shot itself – but also one that’s typically captured in darkness at night. These factors combine to create some serious challenges. Here are a few suggestions on how to get it right.
1. Check the weather forecast to find out which way the wind is blowing. You’ll probably take your best shots first, before smoke accumulates in the sky and begins to pollute your sightline, but it pays to position yourself correctly in advance to make the best use of your space and limited time.
2. Since you’ll probably be using long exposures to capture these images, a tripod is (barring your camera) the most essential accessory to have. Handheld shots simply won’t do. Set your camera to bulb mode and anticipate shutter times lasting up to 15 seconds.
(Alternatively, you can choose burst mode to deliver a series of shots from which you can easily select the best of the lot.)
3. The next best accessory to keep on hand is a cable release or remote shutter control in one form or another, to avoid triggering unwanted vibrations and resulting blur. Options range from wired to wireless controllers; even a camera’s built-in self-timer is better than going strictly with manual control.
4. When it comes to focusing, however, it’s the complete opposite. For this, it’s better to depend on manual focus than autofocusing. And since you’ll be shooting fireworks from a distance, you’ll get the best results by simply setting the lens to infinity.
5. Keep your ISO value as low as possible to avoid needless and distracting noise, but experiment with it to find the right balance. Likewise, take a few practice shots with a range of different exposure-compensation levels to keep as much detail as possible while eliminating overblown areas.
6. As with all great photography, composition is key. Although the fireworks themselves constitute the subject of your shots, they become all the more breathtaking when you’ve included a bit of foreground (or some other compositional element or technique) to add interest and cast them into more eye-catching perspective.