How To Photograph Fireworks

Fourth of July fireworks are a great spectator event, but what if you want to capture some images of the fireworks for you to look at later? It may seem a bit daunting, but there are ways to get photos that'll have you feeling like you can still hear the booms.

1. Camera: The more manual control that you have of the camera, the better. That doesn't mean that people with simpler point-n-shoot cameras need to leave them at home -- you're just going to have to know your camera well enough to change some settings.

Ideally, depending on your distance from the fireworks, you'll want a medium telephoto to wide angle lens.

If you can manually set focus and exposure times, you'll be in good shape. If you can't manually focus the camera, see if the camera has an "infinity" focus setting.

2. Tripod: A tripod will be crucial. Don't think that having an image stabilizer will let you handhold your shots--odds are it won't.

Don't have a tripod? Get a large bag of rice or beans and take out about 25% of the rice, then reseal the bag. Put the bag in a pillowcase. If you have a lawnchair, fencepost, or even the hood of your car, put the bag on it, then put the camera on the bag. It's not perfect, but it's better than handholding it.

3. Remote release: If you have a cable release or infrared remote, this is a good place to use it so you don't inadvertently shake the camera when you press the release.

Don't have one? See if you camera's self-timer can be set to two seconds instead of the standard 10 seconds. Hit the release when you hear the "thud" of a firework launching, and the shutter should open just as it explodes.

4. Camera settings: The easiest way to shoot is if you have a remote release and a camera that has a "B", or bulb, setting. Open the shutter when you hear the firework launch, then close it when the fireworks start to droop (you don't _have_ to close it then--I just think it looks better).

If you like, lock the shutter open and cover the lens in between fireworks for 3 or 4 bursts (but don't touch the camera while doing it).

However, many, many cameras, especially digital point-n-shoots, don't have a B setting. In that case, set your shutter speed to 2 to 4 seconds, use the 2-second self-timer setting described above and fire away.

You can shoot at higher shutter speeds, but you tend to lose all but the firework itself in the shot.

Check your manual--you may have a multiple exposure setting built in. If so, you can get more than one shot on each frame or pixel, making a more lively photo.

5. ISO: Set your film speed for about 100 or so for best results. But it's quite possible to get great shots at almost any setting.

6. Location: If there's not much wind, you may find a lot of the fireworks end up exploding in the smoke cloud of the previous blast. Try to stay upwind of the display if you can.

With digital cameras, remember that the image you're seeing on the LCD display is not live--it's a few fractions of a second slower than real-time. So open your shutter a bit earlier then you might _think_ you should to compensate.

Timing: You can often pick up quickly when to open the shutter by opening your ears. The larger fireworks usually detonate about 1-3 seconds after launch. If you listen for the concussion "thud" of launch, wait a second, then open the shutter, you'll often open just before the shell detonates.