How to photograph fireworks

Photographing fireworks can be challenging, but with the right techniques you can produce some explosive photos. It takes patience and a lot of trial and error: I always wind up with more bad images than good, but the ones that work can be really stunning. 

Although some cities in North America are debating canceling their fireworks this year due to wildfire smoke, others are proceeding as usual. Here we share tips and tricks for taking the guesswork out of shooting this nighttime event, and getting inspired to capture your own unique perspective.

Bring the right equipment

Leave the flash at home, but pack a tripod (yes—even for your phone). A tripod will give you stability and the chance to experiment with longer exposures.

Your camera or phone can be easily fooled by the dramatically different exposure between the night sky and bright fireworks, so be in manual mode. There are (paid and free) apps for both iPhone and Android that allow for longer shutter speeds and multiple exposures: search “manual camera” in your app store.

Arrive early to scout out your location and choose your vantage point.

Before the show begins, think about the foreground and background elements of the scene and how you might want to incorporate them. Are there monuments or buildings nearby to give your image scale and context? Will the fireworks reflect into the water when they burst?

Manually set the focus for your scene before it gets dark. Focus on an area of sky where the fireworks will be, or on an object the same distance away. Once the fireworks start, you’ll be ready to start shooting.

(Fourth of July fireworks can be fun—but at a cost.)

Choose a vantage point upwind from the blowing smoke.

This makes for more comfortable shooting conditions, and from the right vantage point, the reflective quality of the smoke can add an element of interest to the shot.

Consider people in your composition

Some of my favorite photos are of faces illuminated by the great light provided by fireworks. Take time to turn around and make some images of onlookers. If you want to place a person in the frame, think about interesting ways to silhouette them against the bright fireworks. When people are the main subject of your shot, expose for the faces, rather than the light source, to avoid fooling the light meter.

Turn off your flash and set your camera to manual mode.

This allows you to control the exposure and aperture yourself. A good starting place for your settings is ISO 100, f/11, at 1/2 second. Keep your ISO low to preserve the dark night sky and eliminate noise. If the photos are looking too dim, vary the shutter speed while keeping the aperture the same.

The long exposures required for firework photography mean slow shutter speeds.

Keep your camera motionless by using a sturdy tripod and a shutter release cord. When shooting a scene that includes not just the sky but also other elements like a cityscape, keeping the horizon line straight is particularly important. Make sure your camera is level on the tripod.

A great way to capture action at the peak of the burst is to shoot in bulb mode.

This allows you to create timed exposures based on changing conditions. You will want to use a type of remote shutter release to avoid touching the camera. You can even get a remote for your phone and use apps to shoot in bulb mode on your phone. Hit the shutter as the firework is launching and hold it down until the burst has faded, typically a few seconds.  

Try varying your shots.

The focal length you need depends on your distance from the burst and what you’re trying to capture. If you want a tight shot that shows detail, you will want to use a zoom lens that goes to at least 200mm. Keep in mind that changing focal length will require refocusing in most zoom lenses. Check for this attribute before the show begins, while it is still light. You may need to turn your autofocus off once you’ve determined your distance, so your lens isn’t hunting for an object to focus on in the dark when you release the shutter.