Capturing Fireworks Displays With Your DSLR Camera
Autumn is here and that means that Bonfire night is almost upon us. Big, bright fireworks make for some amazing photographs, especially larger displays, so maybe it is time to start looking ahead to the big day and planning a shoot of your own? With this is mind, we’ve put together a few hints and tips for anyone thinking about capturing their own firework photography…
Finding a spot is the first and ultimately one of the most crucial steps in capturing great firework photography. If you know an area is going to be busy for the display, get down early to scope out the best spot and remember to take things such as buildings, structures and landscapes into account as these will all help to make a great photo. Once you’ve found a spot, set your tripod up and, if you know roughly where the display is going to be taking place, start getting a feel for the setting by taking a few shots.
You’ll need to make sure your camera sits perfectly still on the tripod, which is why we recommend using a remote or wireless release when the action starts.
Most people think that you need a fast lens to capture shots of fireworks; however, this is not actually the case. Because the light that fireworks emit is bright, it means that you can use a small to mid range aperture to get stunning results. Even more important though is shutter speed which is better longer! Don’t leave it open too long, though. As fireworks are so bright that there is a thin line between over-exposing them, but the best thing to do is experiment with your own camera to find what is best for you and your equipment.
Do not use flash. Even though it is dark, using a flash will serve no purpose as a camera’s flash only reaches a limited number of metres and this will take away from the spectacle of the fireworks!
When experimenting, remember to make notes of what you did and when. This will make it much easier to understand what worked and what didn’t when you’re looking back on your photos.
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