• A camera with a bulb shutter setting
• A cable release
• A very sturdy tripod
• A bonus is a camera that has a multiple exposure capability, although if you have a digital camera you may be able to add images together in Photoshop

Using a camera with a bulb setting on a tripod is the best way to photograph fireworks

You will be able to hold the shutter open while the fireworks are exploding and then close it when you feel it is time. Just using a real long shutter speed can cause any lights not from fireworks in your photo to overexpose. Being able to control the exact length of time the shutter is open will also allow you to time the exposure to get the best effect of the firework display.

What you will do is open the shutter with the release when you hear the firework launch

Hold the shutter open while it explodes (the fireworks, not the shutter) and release it when you feel it is done. You can also hold it open for a longer period of time to get the effect of several fireworks going off. The only trouble with keeping the shutter open longer is that you will start to overexpose other objects that may be in the photo.

If you can, and you can see where the fireworks are actually launched from, try to anticipate the launch and get the effect from the launch on the ground in the photo also

The launch may even cause a silhouette if there is a person actually lighting the fireworks off. Many are lit electronically or by a computer now so there may not be anyone near the launch.

If you have a camera with multiple exposure capability, you can get several displays in one frame

This will allow you to keep the overall exposure shorter since the shutter will only be open for the fireworks and not during any pause in between. Of course, if the fireworks are going off rapidly you will not need to have the shutter open long to get many in.

The interesting part is the time the shutter is open will not have too much effect on the exposure of the fireworks

The exposure for the fireworks will primarily be controlled by the aperture or f-stop of the lens. The shutter time may affect the exposure a little but unless a large number of fireworks are going off in a small area, the shutter will make little difference on the exposure of the fireworks.

You will need to set your aperture around f8 to f11

This is a little bit of a guessing game. Some fireworks will show up brighter in a photo (white or lighter colors especially). Some will be darker. You will need go experiment a little and bracket. This is only a guideline. You may also want to try f16.

I suggest you keep the ISO setting at 100 anytime you try to take firework photos

This will be fast enough to get a good aperture and keep grain (on film) to a minimum. Keeping it consistent will make it easier to reproduce great photos next time you photograph fireworks.

A film camera has an advantage over a digital camera for firework photos

A digital camera may need to use a noise reduction circuit when your exposures are long. This may take extra time between exposures. As exposure times get longer, noise will increase in a digital camera. Many noise reduction circuits make a second blank exposure after a long exposure to find out where the noise is to reduce it. This is why it may be a little slow between photos.

Of course, the advantage of using a digital camera is that you can check and see if the exposure is close

Use the preview screen as a guide. It can be a little misleading. It may look brighter to you in the dark than the actual photo is.

Also do not spend the entire show looking at your preview screen

You will miss the show. Once you see your exposure is ok concentrate on taking more photos. Either that or just enjoy the show yourself.

If it looks like the exposure is close for the fireworks, try to get some good photos of multiple fireworks

Remember, the background will get brighter as you keep the shutter open longer, so do not keep the shutter open too long. Depending on the aperture that works for the fireworks, 5-10 seconds will be as long as you will be able to keep the shutter open.

Choose a background for the fireworks

The trick to really beautiful firework photos is to have them combined with a great background. Ideally, try to place a local landmark in the composition. Unlit objects between you and the fireworks will be silhouetted. A shot of just the fireworks in the frame will not be as interesting as one that shows where the fireworks were photographed.

This guide should give you a great start to photographing fireworks. Enjoy the celebration and have a happy and safe 4th of July or whatever event you are celebrating.

Because most cameras nowadays are automatic and do not have a manual mode, it is hard to get a good fireworks photo with them

Many do have a “city night” mode that may let you get some good firework shots.

The minimum you need to get fireworks photos:

• A camera with a “night city” mode or something similar. This mode setting on the camera will let the camera use longer shutter speeds that can be held by hand. You need this because many bursts of fireworks take over a second to happen. At the normal shutter speeds, all that will show up is scattered dots of light.
  This mode is usually a identified with a moon or star symbol. Most cameras with this mode also have a long exposure plus flash mode. Unless you want to try and take a picture of some friends with the fireworks behind them, you will not want the flash (your friends will probably want to watch the show anyway). Check your camera instructions to see if it has the mode and how to set it.
• You will also need a way to trigger the camera without causing it to shake. The best is a remote release. If your lucky, your camera has an infrared release that came with it or can be ordered. Most modern cameras cannot use the good old cheap mechanical releases. You may be able to make your own release. There is a cool book called Hacking Digital Cameras that shows how to use a television remote as an infrared release with some cameras or make an electronic release for cameras that use an electronic remote.
  If your camera does not have a release available or cannot use one you will need to rely on the self-timer. You will have to guess what the fireworks will look like when the timer triggers the camera.
  You may get away with using your finger to trigger the camera, but you will very likely cause some blurriness in the photo from the movement of your finger.
• You will also need something to hold the camera.
  Ideally a good strong photo tripod. Most likely if you have a tripod, it is a flimsy photo-video tripod from a consumer electronic department store. This will do. A bean bag may actually hold the camera more steady if you can find a solid object to rest it on. You can make one yourself and fill it with rice.

The main technique for this kind of camera is timing so the camera shutter is open while the fireworks are exploding

This will be the real trick. It will be even harder if you have to use a self timer. Your best chance will be at the end of the show when there are lots of firework going off at once. It will not be easy but you may get an ok picture.

For those that have camera with a manual mode with a bulb shutter setting, it is much easier to get a great shot. That is what we will discuss next.

Read about the best way to take fireworks photos

Do you want to capture some great 4th of July fireworks pictures? Then keep reading, because this guide will show you how. Taking photos of fireworks is not an exact science for most people. It will take some experimentation and a little luck at first to learn how, but this guide should help you come home with some great photos on your first try.

Those who create the show are sometimes worthy of the title artist themselves

It is easy to be thrilled by the display and overcome by the loud noise and never realize the true talent that is put into a great fireworks display. It was not until I saw photographs I took once of a fireworks show that I saw the artistic composition that had gone unnoticed to my eye.

Creating a fireworks show is also a dangerous art form

A family run fireworks business in the state I live in, had a serious accident years ago at their factory. Once in a while you will also hear about an accident on national news, like the barge to be used for one fireworks show that blew up one year. Fortunately, photography has become a fairly safe art since the advent of Eastman Kodak’s safety film in the early 20th century.

Still, keep safety in mind while you take fireworks photos

Never try to get closer than you are allowed. Even you have clearance from local officials to get close, check with those in charge of the display to make sure you are keeping a safe distance.

Now on to the techniques you will need for great fireworks photos

We will look at two different methods of photographing fireworks

The first is for those with more the more common and limited point-and-shoot style camera. You may get some ok shots this way but you will be limited by your camera.

The second method is for those who have a more adjustable and flexible camera. This is the best way to take get great fireworks photos. The more flexible cameras will allow you a much better chance of getting that great shot of the Grande Finale with the Statute of Liberty or whatever local landmark in the background.

Read the other posts in this series:

The not quite so good way to shoot fireworks photos
The best way to get great fireworks photos

Another place to read about fireworks photos:

You can find more practical tips on taking pictures of fireworks at FeaturePics.com. This article is illustrated by great photos of fireworks by different photographers.