- Gorgeous silhouettes against the reflections in the water! - TexanPhotos
Firework Photography 101
With the 4th of July holiday upon us this weekend, I thought I would answer one of the more frequently asked questions I have received over the years.
How do you take picture of fireworks?
I am always more then happy to share because I was asking this question of others a few years ago myself.
Firework photography is actually pretty simple. Honestly. Becoming an effective fireworks photographer is less about skill and more about understanding how to let the camera do the work for you and putting your equipment in position to succeed.
Required
1) Camera and Lens - Your camera does not have to be anything fancy,
in fact you can achieve success with a point and shoot. One of my
favorite fireworks shots from a peer is from a point and shoot.
2) Tripod - Must Have - Fireworks photography is long exposure photography in short bursts
requiring exposures longer than 3 seconds all the way up to 13
minutes.
3) Shutter Release - A shutter release used to trigger the shutter is
a must to open and keep open the shutter during a long exposure.
Touching the camera will produce shake and blurry photos and use of
the timed exposures is inconsistent.
Optional
1) Neutral Density Filters - This is not for the first timer at
fireworks photography but Neutral Density Filters when added to your
lens will allow for longer exposures at higher F Stops with better
highlight control. Again this technique is 300-400 level.
Location, Location, Location
I believe that isolated fireworks bursts in the sky are quite bland and lack story. Integration to the scene and proper composition is everything. After all, fireworks add drama when they are part of a larger landscape. Scout your location, get there early, and draw in plenty of foreground to add drama and scale(see below).
The Technique
1) Set your camera to Manual (or Bulb). You will need to be able to
start and stop and hold open your frame for anywhere from 3 to 10
seconds. Bulb or manual mode will allow for this. Consult your cameras
manual.
2) ISO - Set your ISO to a low ISO (ISO 100, 200). Allows for longer
exposures and deeper colors.
3) F-Stop / Aperture – Set your F-Stop / Aperture to F11 or higher
3) Manual Focus - Turn off the auto focus feature on your lens, your
camera will be "hunting" for something to focus on. (see
below)
4) Set depth of field on your lens to Infinity to have your frame in
focus. Not sure what that is… it look like this ∞ (see below)
5) Use your shutter release to open and close the shutter with times
between 3-5 seconds, perhaps higher. With exposures over 5 seconds you
will risk over exposure so adjust your F-Stop to offset the highlights
associated with long exposures.
That’s it…
Through this technique you will steady the camera, keep the shutter open, and capture the launch / explosion of the shell. And capture magical photos.
Post processing with be another lesson at a later day.
Comments and faves
Scottwdw, Larry White (Trying_to_Shine), ~BJG~, gillis95, and 193 other people added this photo to their favorites.
Matt Pasant (35 months ago | reply)
Lens set to manual focus and infinity depth of field...
Matt Pasant (35 months ago | reply)
Camera set to bulb (your camera may need to be in manual mode)
Matt Pasant (35 months ago | reply)
Shutter release - this one cost me all of $10 on ebay
Matt Pasant (35 months ago | reply)
Tripod with camera mounted. I have modified my tripod to hold more weight and add sturdiness.
Matt Pasant (35 months ago | reply)
Examples of use of foreground
F/10, 7 seconds, ISO 250
F/11, 6 seconds, ISO 100
Matt Pasant (35 months ago | reply)
Use of ND filters, F/11, 55 Seconds, ISO 200
Peter Talke Photography (35 months ago | reply)
Matt, super!!!!!!!!!!!
.2107images. (35 months ago | reply)
wow .. matt that is brilliant .. take you very much ..
Larry White (Trying_to_Shine) (35 months ago | reply)
Matt, awesome shot and equally awesome posting! Great tutorial.
snaphappygeek (35 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the tips. Good for when I am at DC at sunday.
*Roni* (35 months ago | reply)
Wonderful tips, Matt! Thank you!
Todd Hurley (Todd_H) (35 months ago | reply)
Excellent. Love the boats in the foreground.
meat ninja (afk) (35 months ago | reply)
Great shot, thank you for the tutorial!
MBesantPhoto (35 months ago | reply)
Great advice Matt. I do believe you've covered it all with that advice.
If I wasn't down and out with another sinus infection I think I'd go downtown (DC) to capture some of the fireworks.
iTail ~ Steve Page (35 months ago | reply)
Wonderful image !!
evelyng23 (35 months ago | reply)
fantastic! and nice tut!
Jeff_B. (35 months ago | reply)
Excellent series. Thank you for opening your kimono of secrets. Happy July 4th to you and your family.
lawrencechua (35 months ago | reply)
Great tips pyro-maniac Matt! Love all your firework photos.
Photogineer (Doug) (35 months ago | reply)
Happy Fourth to the crew as well. Excellent tutorial.
DiGitALGoLD (35 months ago | reply)
Job well done Matt! thanks for posting up all of that info. Enjoy your weekend :)
jdhilger (35 months ago | reply)
School is in session, once again. Nice.
Scott Smith (SRisonS) (35 months ago | reply)
Thanks for the tutorial. Amazing shot, btw. :)
--
Seen in my contacts' photos. (?)
Kiki FL (35 months ago | reply)
A*M*A*Z*I*N*G!!!
First, all of the photos, especially the top shot, are crazy good. Second, the tutorial is really simple and helpful to someone that has never taken fireworks shots.
Faved a gazillion times!
AllisonMariePhoto (35 months ago | reply)
Matt, thanks so much for posting this info! Is this something you learned over time and/or did you take classes? I have a photographer friend who has never taken a photography class and is a phenomenal photographer (Arace, if you want to look him up). I'm an aspiring photographer and am looking for as much information as I can get my hands on. Again, thanks!
Woj Photography (35 months ago | reply)
Fantastic tutorial and even better images Matt. Well done!
Have a great holiday weekend.
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Seen on my Flickr home page. (?)
Matt Pasant (35 months ago | reply)
andy castro (35 months ago | reply)
Great tutorial and unbelievable photo. Beautiful work!
DugJax (35 months ago | reply)
Phenomenal fireworks shots...all of them! Thanks for the tutorial. I'm going to print it out and stick it my camera bag for future reference.
Cory Disbrow (35 months ago | reply)
This could very easily be your next post for WDWPhotography.com...just sayin'...
edurtreeg (35 months ago | reply)
beautiful detail seen on expour page
anna-cathryn (35 months ago | reply)
Wonderful photos and really useful tips. Thanks!
SJVilar (35 months ago | reply)
Magnificent images, thank you for sharing your knowledge, such timely tips. Happy 4th of July.
Tracy Balcius (35 months ago | reply)
Awesome matt.......thanks so much for the tips!
_shuniil (35 months ago | reply)
awesome pix..thanks for the explanation...
Jeff.Hamm.Photography (35 months ago | reply)
This is so awesome! Thanks so much for posting this, it will help me a lot this weekend since I just got my shutter release this past week and am very much looking forward to shooting some fireworks. Thanks again and Great shot!
anslatadams (35 months ago | reply)
Thanks so much for that wonderful advice!! I was looking for some helpful hints (still fumbling around to find my manual again! LOL!).
That's one gorgeous fireworks photo, one of the most beautiful ones I've seen yet! Again, thanks so much for the tips!!
forever SUNNY (35 months ago | reply)
Wow, so beautiful!!!
Check out some of my shots!:)
BP Chua (35 months ago | reply)
Marvellous capture!
BURKE79_323 (35 months ago | reply)
Beautiful shot ~ Congrats on being Explored !
RuudMorijn (35 months ago | reply)
This beautiful picture is quite rightly chosen for EXPLORE. Congratulations!
See: www.flickr.com/explore/
For a quick survey of my work click here: RuudMorijn
Michiel_ (35 months ago | reply)
Stunning!
Minoht (35 months ago | reply)
Interesting that you didn't mention color temperature -- while the top photo was taken using a daylight setting, lower temp settings are apparent in your bottom photos. For old school photographers, using an 80a filter helps balance daylight film.
four50photo (35 months ago | reply)
Very many thanks for the advice and glorious photos
GlobeTrotter 2000 (35 months ago | reply)
Very beautiful work ! Congrats !!
g567hey [deleted] (35 months ago | reply)
Hi, I'm an admin for a group called Explored <100, and we'd love to have this added to the group!
This photo was invited and added to the Explored <100 group.
Ele Noir (35 months ago | reply)
woww!
HiYall (35 months ago | reply)
Tips are always welcome especially when accompanied by a compelling image
Via Today's Explore at #4 on Fluidr
n&s I Photography (35 months ago | reply)
Hola, soy el administrador de un grupo llamado *Desafío Fotográfico* / Post 1 = Comment 1 / y nos encantaría agregar tu foto al grupo.
This photo was invited and added to the *Desafío Fotográfico* / NO RULES!! group.
Soleil is me. (35 months ago | reply)
BRAVO!; Greeting from Bangkok. Your image is so beautiful artwork from camera and I love it:)
SPLENDID IMAGE... THIS IS THE BEST, BY AN ADMIN CONSIDERED.
INSPIRE Invite ONLY
You are INVITED to display this wonderful photo
in the INSPIRE Pool
Be happy Be healthy:)
Larry White (Trying_to_Shine) (35 months ago | reply)
Congrats on Front Page twice in one week!