How to Photograph Fireworks
Taking photographs of fireworks can be really easy, just
follow the below steps and have fun taking photographs.
I photographed my firework display on fully manual mode with
camera on the tripod and these were my camera settings: Aperture f16 (to get maximum
depth of field), Shutter speed 30 Sec, ISO set at 200. Use these settings as a
guide and change them accordingly to your final result.
1) Wear
something warm
2) Get
the best spot – always worth asking the organisers where the firework display will
be and inform them that you are taking some photographs of fireworks. Generally
most organisers are very helpful!!
3) Use
a tripod, as the shutter speed is going to be very slow, tripod will avoid any
camera shake.
4) Focal
Length – when photographing fireworks it’s difficult to see what will be in the
frame (camera’s view finder) always shoot on wide angle. By zooming into the
fireworks, some of the display will be lost, but do try zooming in as you will
be surprised what you have captured.
5) Do
not use flash – switch off the flash as this will not capture the firework
display.
6) Camera
Settings DSLR:
If unsure with the Manual Mode on your cameras, use ‘Aperture
Mode’ (A) set the aperture at f11 of f16, the camera will set the shutter speed
accordingly.
You can also use the ‘Shutter Mode’ (TV or S) set the
shutter speed at 20 seconds. Use this as a guide, you may need more or less
time – check your result.
7) Camera
Settings Compact Cameras:
Most compact cameras nowadays have preset ‘Firework’ mode,
set the camera on this mode and the camera will set everything accordingly.
Have fun taking photographs of fireworks!!
Bhupinder Ghatahora ABIPP, ARPS, ASWPP
Ghatahora Photography
info@ghatahora.co.uk
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