Predictable as the changing seasons, some to the world’s most spectacular fireworks return regularly to communities throughout America on July 4^th. As much fun as they are to watch, fireworks are equally as exciting to photograph. Shooting these incredible light shows give photographers continuous opportunities to capture these events on film, test and improve individual photographic skills and techniques.

As in buying real estate, the three most important things one must have to photograph a fireworks show are: location, location, location!

Landmarks – when able, include local landmark to identify shots

Upwind – to avoid smoke – it blocks shot and can be uncomfortable

Distance – ¼ to ½ mile away for large aerial displays (farther with zoom)

50-100 yards on ground displays

One mistake many photographers make is to get too close. The use of positive and negative (dark sky) space is important. One must not only capture the moving fireworks, but also design the frame by also using the open sky and landmarks.

The kind of camera makes no difference, as long as you can manually control it. Photographing fireworks is much different than normal photography in that you are shooting light sources rather than reflected light. Many of the rules change. Automatic exposures will always fail. One must have control of both shutter speed and f/stops. Almost any lens, wide-angle to telephoto to zoom will work.

Prints or slides, makes no difference, only your preference. Tungsten film can make buildings with artificial lighting look more natural. Daylight film will give warmer saturation and truer color to the fireworks.

Here is a chart that will give you a fighting chance at being a successful fireworks photographer.

In the beginning, bracketing is essential to any success – start out with a game plan and take plenty of notes. Aerial shells should be shot from a tripod with a locking cable release with exposure setting of "B" (Bulb). The trick is to have the shutter open just in time to catch the burst.

Some fireworks have "tails" that follow the shell up. You may or may not want to include these in your photographs. Expose accordingly. Watch the first few shells notice that the shells rise to specific heights. If you look closely, you can see the shell rise and just before it bursts, it will slow down. Now you know when it will burst – you have the height and the speed to help you. Determine which elevation(s) you want to capture and set your tripod for it. Exposure times vary from one second to as much as 15 seconds or more.

Some professionals leave the shutter open and use a black cardboard to cover the lens. He watches and uncovers to capture the bursts and gets multiple images on the same frame. He can even pick and choose colors, thus designing the color content and/or size of shell that goes into the specific frame.

In most shows, the better shells and intensity are in the latter portion. Save your ammo. Most public shows run from 15 to 20 minutes. With this size show, there is time enough in these to reload a couple of times if you are quick.

Digital video equipment has come a long way, but only the most expensive cameras (over $3,000 SRP) with shutter and f/stop controls will provide you with good color from fireworks.

Good luck and happy shooting.

Ted Walker, President
AddFire, Inc.

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