Photographing Fireworks at Firework Displays

Photo Credit : Camera Slayer

Bonfire Night is almost upon us and with it comes the oppurtunity to photograph something you don’t see every day – fireworks.

Fireworks are an excellent subject for photographers as the images produced can be very dramatic; the long exposures produce wonderful streams of coloured light against the dark backdrop of the night sky. Adding elements of the surrounding landscape can further enhance the image as they add a sense of location and occassion.

Attending a firework display or an event that incorporates a firework display is the best way to photograph fireworks. Asking your neighbour set off a few from their back garden just won’t cut it when it comes to quality.

There are a few basic rules to follow when shooting fireworks at a fireworks display, but as with most fields of photography, experimentation is key in order to find out what works best for you.

Use a tripod to keep your camera steady
The most essential item to take with you is a tripod. Most of the shots you take at firework displays require a long(ish) exposure so keeping your camera steady is of the utmost importance.

Use the bulb feature with a remote release
Prediciting how long a firework will last and what it will do is quite tricky if you are not a fireworks efficianado. You could set the exposure time to something you consider worthy of a good shot (1 second, 5 seconds etc), but if you use the bulb feature you can open the shutter and close it again at your leisure. Using a remote release means there is less chance of camera shake.

Photo Credit : Christopher Chan

Find a location to shoot from
It is important to find yourself a good location when taking photographs at firework displays. Getting to the event early can help you to choose the best place for you. If it is difficult to tell exactly where the fireworks are being set up, ask one of the event organisers or a member of the security staff. If the surrounding area is hilly it might be a good idea to site yourself on top of one of the hills as this could help you avoid getting the heads of onlookers in your photographs. Once you have decided upon a location set up your tripod and get ready to shoot.

Take two different lenses
Different lenses will obvsiouly produce very different results. A zoom lens can be used to get some nice tight shots of colour while a wide angle lens can be used to ensure you incorporate a certain amount of landscape. Firework displays on New Years Eve and other special occassions are often set against the backdrop of a cityscape, and including a famous landmark, building or structure can add further drama to the final image.

Aperture and shutter speeds
This is something for you to experiment with, but a good starting point for the aperture setting is somewhere between f/8 to f/16. The shutter speed is very important when photographing fireworks. You might like to capture a quick burst, or long trails or perhaps multiple bursts in the same shot? Take a couple of test shots at the very start of the display and check them in camera to see the results. Pretty much every firework display I have been to leaves the best until last, so you have a bit of time to make decisions on shutter speeds.

Photo Credit : sunsurfr

Keep shooting, shooting and shooting some more
In the age of the digital camera you can take as many photograps as you like without the worry of processing and waste, but you won’t really be able to enjoy the fireworks display as you will be too busy controlling exposure lengths and tinkering with the shot angles. Firework displays only last for a very short time so make sure you take as many photographs as you can in the time allowed. Check your shots every now and again, espeically after you have made an alteration to the settings you have previously been happy with, but don’t check every shot – it is much more important to keep an eye on the sky.

Take somebody with you
The very nature of firework displays means you will be working in the dark. Inner city events are known to attract people who like to exploit the situation and pickpockets and muggers are known to attend these events looking for unwitting victims, and photographers, with their expensive equipment, can be a prime target. If you can’t take someone with you try to stand close to a member of the security team.

Do you have any more tips for photographing fireworks displays? Why not search your ideas in the comments section below?

Some more photographs of firework displays from flickr (all published with a Creative Commons license).