Displays of fireworks are such great celebrations of light and color - and it's no surprise that they've captured the attention of BetterPhoto members and instructors. In North America each summer, Canada Day (July 1st) and the U.S. Fourth of July offer excellent chances for shooting these fantastic bursts of brightness. But regardless of when - or where - they light up the sky, fireworks always place high on the "Wow!" scale.
As with many subjects, however, shooting fireworks involves planning and preparation, as well as some special shooting techniques.
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Photographing Fireworks .. Include Identifiable Landmarks
Pictures of fireworks come in two types: generic (which focus entirely on the blasts of light and could have been photographed anywhere) and location related (which include recognizable features). The accompanying images show fireworks displays in familiar settings: San Francisco, New York City, Minnesota, and Long Beach, Calif. Check BetterPhoto's outstanding Fireworks Picture Page gallery for fireworks scenes that focus on Seattle, Mount Rushmore, Atlanta, and many other locations.Washington D.C. is also a hot locale for fireworks, and here are some thoughts from Smithsonian staff photographers: - Choosing the correct viewing position should be a main consideration. Advises Eric Long: "Have something in the photo that's identifiable. That might be a building, or as is often the case on the Mall, one or more of the national monuments. Having water in the foreground to reflect the fireworks also works well."
- "Find out which way the wind is blowing and get upwind," says Richard Strauss. "Fireworks create smoke, and if the wind blows it towards your position it not only blocks the shot but makes it uncomfortable to shoot. From the right position you can use the smoke to your advantage. As the fireworks program builds, the smoke reflects light and can help define the shot."
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In Praise of Color ... and Black and White!
Fireworks and color just seem to go together. Streaks of bright lights can fill the picture with so many different colors. However, as instructor/author Jim Zuckerman proves in his photo at the right, some landmarks - even New York's Statue of Liberty - can catch the eye in glorious b&w too.BetterPhoto founder and author Jim Miotke explains the visual attraction of the classic visual medium: "The simplicity of black and white helps you focus on the important stuff. You can often turn a drab color shot into an amazing black and white. If you do your own darkroom work - traditional or digital - it opens up a world of magic and fun." Of course, with his rendition of the Statue of Liberty that appears on this page, BP member Robert A. Simpson shows why color imagery is so often associated with fireworks. Such a striking splash of yellows and reds!
Photographing Fireworks: Tips and Techniques
Arrive early in order to pick the best vantage point. Set the camera's focus to infinity (via Manual mode). Wide-angle or "normal" focal lengths are usually recommended for fireworks photography. Use a tripod and cable release (or remote cord). Turn off the auto-flash - it won't help for distant subjects. As for exposure, the articles and BP links listed below include excellent advice. More thoughts from instructor/author Peter Burian: - Wait for the right moment. Once you're ready to shoot, be patient. The location of the displays will vary. Wait until a very large burst fills a dark area of sky before pointing the camera and taking the picture. This will help to ensure correct framing, including the entire subject and light trails, as well as correct exposure.
- Shoot lots of frames. As impressive as a multi-colored burst may look to the eye, not every photograph will record it as you hoped. Plan to shoot at least a couple of rolls of film during the event if you're serious about coming home with a few perfect, stunning frames. If you use a digital camera, take a high-capacity memory card or several cards of lower capacity.
Resources on Fireworks Photography
BP founder Jim Miotke's how-to article:
Top Tips for Photographing FireworksInstructor/author Kerry Drager's article on fireworks photography:
4th of July Photos: A Celebration of Light and Color! Instructor/author Peter K. Burian's article:
How to Get Great Fireworks Photos Article by Smithsonian staff photographers:
Shooting Fireworks: Capture The Spectacle
Type in the word "fireworks" in BetterPhoto's Search Site, and then check the QnA and photo-discussion sections. Some links to get you started:
http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/discussionDetail.asp?threadID=144491
http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/discussionDetail.asp?threadID=145411
http://www.betterphoto.com/forms/qnaDetail.asp?threadID=9191
For picture ideas and inspiration, check out BetterPhoto's collection of eye-catching images:
Fireworks Picture Page gallery
About Author / Instructor / Photographer, Kerry Drager
The content manager and an instructor for BetterPhoto.com, Kerry Drager is also the author of Scenic Photography 101. In addition, he teaches two online photography courses at BetterPhoto: Creative Light & Composition and Creative Close-ups. Kerry's Pro BetterPholio Web site offers an assortment of galleries and illustrated how-to articles on photography. In addition, kerrydrager.com was featured in Shutterbug magazine. His work has appeared in Outdoor Photographer and other major magazines; Hallmark cards and Sierra Club Calendars; and in advertising campaigns for American Express and Sinar Bron Imaging. He is also the photographer of the photo-essay books The Golden Dream: California from Gold Rush to Statehood and California Desert, and is a contributing photographer for the books Daybreak 2000 and Portrait of California. He lives with his wife, Mary, in the country near Sacramento, California, with their six Newfoundland dogs, six cats, two horses, and a mixed terrier.
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