How to Take Dazzling Firework Shots with your Digital Camera

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Firework displays are always spectacular and exciting to watch … from being a small child I have always enjoyed the outburst of firework colours against a night sky, with the many facets of sprinkling and shooting effects … it’s a great atmosphere to be part of, so why not capture those dazzling moments with your digital camera.  Here are a few digital photography tips to get you ready for your shoot …

 

 

Be Well Prepared

 

Nights can be pretty cold, so make sure you have a spare set of charged batteries, plenty of memory cards, a flash light may prove helpful, and last but certainly not least, carry a tripod or similar device, on which to securely attach your digital camera, to avoid camera shake.  Camera shake will create out-of-focus, blurry photos, which is caused by hand-holding your camera on a longer exposure, no matter how steady you are.  A tripod is the all-important tool to steady your digital camera when taking long exposures, required in extremely low-light conditions such as night skies.  

 

 

Plan Ahead for your Shoot

 

It’s worth checking out areas where you could possibly set up for your firework shoot, to avoid crowds and distractions like passers by or street lights.  Beware of overhanging trees which could spoil your sky view, and also don’t be tempted to set up on a bridge, as the vibration of passing vehicles could create blurry photos on your long exposure shots.  Be safe, but sure about your set up spot.

 

 

Releasing the Shutter

 

In low-lit night sky conditions, which require longer exposures to capture the light and fireworks, be sure to keep the shutter button held down for the duration of your exposure.  The reason here is although you will probably have your camera securely mounted to your tripod, if you release the shutter button during your shot, this could create a very slight shake – enough to blur your photo.  

 

If you have a remote shutter you can attach it to your digital camera, this would be the answer to a perfectly sharp shot.

 

 

Forget your Flash!

 

Flash will capture or freeze the moment, but your flash will be like a ‘drop in the ocean’ trying to light up the sky – it’s impossible.  Working with no flash, but setting up your digital camera for long exposure shots will capture all the colourful trails of the fireworks.  Here’s a shot from a display at the Firework Championships held in Blackpool, UK ... Some great trails and colours, plus a bonus of colourful water reflection cast back from the beach ...

 

 

 

 

Click images

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Photo taken from Blackpool Citizen

 

 

Adding Variety to your Shots

 

If you’re shooting at dusk, you may also capture the warm sunset colours, as well as the bursting firework splendour.  At this time, as the sky is not yet dark, you will also capture more detail like boats on a lake, buildings etc. Here’s another shot taken from the World Fireworks Competition held at Blackpool, UK, which demonstrates just after a sunset, capturing the pier, lights, and scenery taking you out to sea, with a beautiful twilight-coloured sky ... What a performance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photograph: Don McPhee/Guardian

 

 

As well as taking shots to capture fireworks against the night sky, you might want to add interest by including a background bridge, monument or strong feature to add some variety to your background, when fireworks begin to explode.  This is an interesting shot, of what looks like a silhouette of foliage, although not quite in the background, makes an interesting photo ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Firework, Tokyo Bay, Japan

 

If you have a tilt-head on your tripod, it’s worth experimenting by tilting your camera to capture more firework trails.

 

 

Using Image Editing Software for Double Exposure Effects

 

Take some impressive shots by using Double Exposure effects if you have image editing software.  By taking two separate firework images with your digital camera, you can merge the two images as two separate layers and arrive with one captivating picture!

 

An example of a double-exposure effect using image editing software... The first image shows two photos merged together.  The second image has been further manipulated for an artistic effect ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are some very impressive firework shots, again taken at the World Championship Fireworks held in Blackpool ... the first shot with Blackpool Tower in the foreground, and the second at Blackpool Pleasure Beach ... Sights of true splendour!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Rob Hadfield at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

 

And Finally

 

Why not capture emotion taken from people’s reactions … snap the wonder shown on their faces as the next firework booms into the sky ...  I hope these digital photography tips prove useful, but remember to have a great time!

 

  

 

Hope your shots go off with a BANG!

 

 

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