Nothing says celebration like a good fireworks display. The bright colors, the loud explosions, the running commentary on which kind is your favorite (is that just me?)

But, when it comes to capturing these brilliant displays, it can be a little tricky if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Fear not though! I’m here to help with 5 expert tips to photograph fireworks that will have you creating images as dazzling as the night sky on the fourth of July.

1. Get The Right Gear

First and foremost, you need the right gear. The most important piece of equipment is a sturdy tripod. I recommend the Davis & Sanford Compact Tripod because it’s solid, compact, and easy to use. Without it (or any tripod), the long exposure required to create light trails will end in a mess of blurry light and crushing disappointment.

Next, you need a remote shutter. This is because you’ll be shooting in near darkness, so any jostling of the camera when you release the shutter will blur your photo. Many cameras like my Canon 5D Mark IV have wifi capability, allowing you to use your cell phone as a remote. However, if yours doesn’t have that feature, then any good remote shutter will do.

Finally, you need to bring the correct lens for what you’ll be shooting. If you wish to capture a lot of close-up detail, then a zoom of at least 200mm is ideal. But, if you want to shoot a broad landscape then a wide angle is best. There is no right or wrong answer on which you should choose, it just depends on your personal preference.

2. Use The Correct Settings

The most important tips to photograph fireworks involve choosing the right camera settings. You want to start by shooting in manual so you have more control. From there, make adjustments as follows:

No Flash

Leave your flash at home! The quickest way to ruin a fireworks photograph is to have your flash go off.

Low ISO

When photographing fireworks you want as little noise in your images as possible. Therefore, you need to be shooting in the lowest possible ISO. Preferably 100, but if you need to increase it try to stay below 200.

Narrow Aperture

You want plenty of depth of field to capture the detail in fireworks, so shoot between f/8 and f/16. This will keep the fireworks sharp and your images striking.

Long Shutter Speeds

Shutter speed is the name of the game when it comes to photographing fireworks. The sweet spot is between 2-10 seconds.

The longer the shutter stays open, the more bursts and light trails you’ll capture. If your shots start to look cluttered, quicken your shutter speed to catch fewer bursts. Conversely, if the frame appears too dark, slow down your shutter speed while keeping your aperture and ISO the same. This will let in more light, but keep your images sharp.

Bulb Mode

If you want to capture the action of a firework from launch to explosion, try bulb mode. Using your remote shutter release, open the shutter as the firework launches and release it after it bursts. This will capture the full trail and explosion for a dramatic image.

3. Choose Manual Focus

Another great tip to photograph fireworks is to use manual focus instead of automatic. This will allow you to shoot a subject with better accuracy (such as a person, tree, or building). And, because your aperture will be between f/8 and f/16, you’ll have plenty of depth of field so the fireworks are in focus as well. If there isn’t an object to focus on, just use infinity focus.

Feel like getting creative?

Try making the subject of your photo something besides the fireworks themselves. A famous landmark, a crowd of people, a single person, a house, a tree, etc. These elements can add drama and meaning to your photograph. When doing so, focus on the subject rather than the firework to avoid fooling the light meter.

4. Scout Your Location

While it’s still light, scout out the best vantage point to capture the shot you’re looking for. If you want a broad cityscape, search for high ground with unobstructed views. If you want to photograph people or an interesting foreground, get a good spot in the middle of the action.

Whatever location you choose, make sure you get there early to set up! We all know how crowded a firework display can be, so if you’re in the middle of the action then chances are you’ll have some competition for the best spot.

It’s also important to shoot upwind from the smoke whenever possible. Not only will this make you more comfortable, but it will also create more interest in your image.

5. Your Early Shots Are Best

Because there is more smoke the longer a firework display goes on, the clearest shots are those you’ll capture at the beginning of the show. That’s why it’s especially important to set up early so you can maximize the first few shots you get.

Of course, be sure to double check how they’re turning out at the beginning and make any necessary adjustments.

And, there you have it! Five expert tips to photograph fireworks like the pros. With them, you’re sure to capture images that will impress even the most discerning eye.

Do you have your own tips or a photo you’d like to share? Comment below, I’d love to see them!

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