Fireworks Part 1 - Exploring Technique

This is the first year I’ve photographed fireworks and I wanted to do it right. So I found two or tree great sources to learn before I went out. There are some great tips on the web. Special thanks to Digital Photography School and Calphoto.com

#5 Stabilization: Get on your tripod

There are a number of things that can make your shoot successful. Stabilization is HUGE.

Bring a tripod, USE it, even if it's 6" above the ground, otherwise you will get home and you will be disappointed.

If you haven’t spent the $25 for a corded remote, now’s the time. If you're even remotely slower than 1/60th a second, you need to isolate your shutter release. Just the act of pressing the button causes your camera to shift.  If you’re in a pinch for time though, you can try your luck with a delayed shutter release. This was my favorite technique for shooting with a point and shoot in low light.

#4 Lenses: Wide or Telephoto?

Wide
Pro: Great for context shots & catching those massive fireworks close to the launch site.
Con: If you are spending less than $500 on a wide angle lens, there usually are some optical issues occur, flare, ghosting, and distortion around the edges. Can create an odd stretched look to objects and people on the edges.

Telephoto
Pro: Get as close to the action as you can manage. Detail shots of the explosions can be very interesting
Con: Timing and location has a lot to do with luck. But you can improve your chances by focusing on the area and then going manual. Autofocus will cost you many precious shots.

Why not both?
If you have a longer show, give both a try. Or if you happen to have two bodies, set up each and get the best of both worlds that way.

#3 The Balance of ISO, Exposure, and Aperture

Imagine a triangular plate balanced on a pole. No matter what you place on one of the three corners, it affects the other two. So it’s important to decide what you want to accomplish ahead of time.

The main thing is to prioritize what you want to achieve and then balance the other two.

Aperture
Option 1: Focus on Everything (f11-f16)
i.e. Say showing a child watching the fireworks next to you while the firework is going off 100-300 yards away.

Option 2: Something specific (f2.8-f5.6)
i.e. Just the face of the child with the reflection of the fireworks in their eyes.
       You can use faster glass, but your subject is likely to shift position.

Be Aware! The lower the aperture, the faster the shutter speed, meaning... the shorter the time, the less you'll capture from the trail of the fire work. Not good, not bad, just keep it in mind.

Exposure / Shutter Speed
Option 3: Show the full trail (6-10 seconds)
i.e. From launch to explosion to sparkle.

Option 4: Isolated Bursts (1.5-3 seconds)
i.e. Just one stage

ISO
Option 5: Lowest noise possible (ISO 100)
Believe it or not, ISO 100 works amazing, fireworks as you’ve probably noticed, are incredibly bright.

Option 6: Whatever works (ISO 400-600)
This is an effective way to bring out the details of the context where the firework was set off when using low apertures and short exposures.

#2 Subject: What are you going to photograph?

It’s a simple question, but why are you going to shoot fireworks? There are a million photos of them out there, so why does the world need you to take them?

A couple of answers.

• 1. They’re a pretty addition to anyone’s personal collection.
  2. You could turn them into prints for family, friends, or if they’re great, sale.
  3. Perhaps you want to sell them commercially, maybe the city or the pyrotechnics crew.

Here’s another option.
How can you see fireworks differently? Try to tell a story. What is the celebration? Who’s celebrating? What are their reactions? Can you find a unique location?

#1 Scout: What do you mean there’s no fireworks?

Once you’ve decided on a focus. Try to find out as much as possible about the fireworks your going to shoot.

  Where are they going off?

    If you know where they’re being fired and perhaps how high, you can look for the best vantage points. Try to find out how high they're going to be. If you have multiple nights of the same show, you can go back. If you only have the one occasion, this can make or break you.

When are they going off?
    Give yourself enough time to set up and settle into your location

I recommend at least an hour before show time. Know what you're going to use, and make it easy to access it

BIG TIP: Be sure to make sure the economy hasn’t canceled the fireworks that have been a tradition for 30 years. (You'll read more about that later.)  

How long is the show?
    Most shows are only 20-30 minutes long. If you’re going to shoot more than one type of subject decide how long you want to spend on each.

Review (I’m set up to see a quick preview right after recording. But look down only once every 5-10 shots. Don’t miss the show or more opportunities. 

Are there restrictions about where you can set up? 
    Get permission (if neccessary), and follow the rules. They're there for a reason.  

Just because you can sneak onto the train tracks over the river where the fireworks are going off, doesn't mean there won't be a train comming in the middle of the show to escort you swiftly into the river below.