7 Tips to Help You Capture Firework Photos
Fireworks light up the sky with brilliant colors and explosive patterns — perfect great photos if you know how to capture them. Check out these tips on how to get the best shots of fireworks displays.
1. Use a Tripod for Stability
Fireworks are photographed using long exposures, so camera shake will ruin your shot. A tripod is essential to keeping your camera steady and your photos sharp.
2. Manual Mode Is Your Friend
Fireworks photography works best when you take control. Switch your camera to manual mode so you can adjust shutter speed, aperture, and ISO yourself. Autofocus can struggle in the dark. Set your focus to manual, and pre-focus on a distant object (like a building or light) where the fireworks will be.
Shutter Speed: Start with a 2–5 second exposure to capture the full burst of a firework. You can experiment with longer exposures for multiple bursts.
Aperture: Use a mid-range aperture like f/8 to f/11 to keep the whole burst in focus.
ISO: Keep it low — ISO 100 or 200 — to avoid grainy images.
3. Shoot in RAW
Shooting in RAW gives you more flexibility in post-processing. You’ll be able to recover details, adjust exposure, and fine-tune colors much better than JPEG files.
4. Frame Your Shot Thoughtfully
Don’t just aim at the sky — add some context. Include a skyline, a crowd, a monument, or reflections in water to give your photo a sense of place. Consider vertical shots if the fireworks rise high or burst in layers.
5. Timing Is Everything
Click the shutter just before the firework explodes to capture the entire trail. If your camera has a bulb mode, use it — hold the shutter open while the firework rises and release after the burst.
6. Bring Extra Gear
Extra batteries (long exposures drain power fast)
A remote shutter release (to reduce camera shake)
Lens cloth (in case smoke or dew fogs up your lens)
Final Tips
Arrive early to claim a good spot.
Take test shots and adjust as the show progresses.
Don’t just shoot — enjoy the show!
With these tips, you’ll be ready to capture those magical moments when color, light, and sound collide in the night sky. Happy shooting!
