Well, so much has been happening here in the studio since my last post, but I want to get to the nitty gritty and share with you how to shoot fireworks. I get numerous emails every year about how to shoot fireworks. This year I made out a cheat sheet for my classes I teach but wanted to share it on the blog for everyone to be able to use!
(If you have been to my classes hopefully these focal length, aperture, shutter speed, etc ring a bell!)
Fireworks – try it this weekend!
1. Use a Tripod
Perhaps the most important tip is to secure your camera to something that will ensure it doesn’t move during the taking of your shots. This is especially important in photographing fireworks simply because you’ll be using longer shutter speeds which will not only capture the movement of the fireworks but any movement of the camera
2. Framing Your Shot
One of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge you’ll face in doing this is that you generally need to aim your camera before the fireworks that you’ll be photographing goes off – anticipate!
3. Focal Length- (making the lens go in and out)
I tend to shoot fireworks at the widest I can- so fix your lens (in the day time while you can still see to show the largest amount of area)
4. Aperture (the width of the opening in the lens)
I usually shoot somewhere between f/8 to f/16.
5. Shutter Speed (how quickly the shutter opens and closes)
More important to get right than aperture is getting the right shutter speed. Fireworks are moving targets, so the best photographs of them capture this movement meaning you need a nice long exposure.
- try shooting the “blub” mode (the B on the dial). This is a mode that allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you hold down the shutter (Using this technique you hit the shutter as the firework is about to explode and hold it down until it’s finished exploding (generally a few seconds).
- Or you can try manual and set the exposure to 3-10 sec depending on the show
Don’t keep your shutter open too long. The problem with this is that fireworks are bright and it doesn’t take too much to over expose them, especially if your shutter is open for multiple bursts in the one area of the sky.
6. ISO- shoot on 100 (film speed)
7. Switch off your Flash (one of the first things I teach in class!)
8. Shoot in Manual Mode (that is the M on the dial)
I find I get the best results when shooting in manual exposure and manual focus modes.
9. Experiment and have fun!
I would love to see some of your shots! Post them on my facebook fan page Allison Muirhead Photography! Be sure to include your name so I can pick a winner and give a great prize!!!!
here are a few I took last year!
f/14 ISO 100, exposure 3.2 sec focal length 29.0
f/11, ISO 100, focal length 16.0, exposure 10 sec
f/16, 16 sec exposure, focal length 16.0, ISO 100
Watch the blog, I will soon be announcing more class dates!
As always thanks for your support and if you ever have any questions or comments shoot me an email Allison@allimphoto.com or give me a call 601-856-9814!
Happy Fourth of July!
