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Photography: Exposing Fireworks
Author: lechuck	July 22nd, 2008	Communities: Photography, LearnHub Support

How many times has the image to the right happened to you? The last time I attended a fireworks event I noticed a lot of bright-eyed patrons pulling out their cameras in attempt to snap a picture of the pyrotechnic display. What I also noticed was camera flashes going off. I know for a fact the flashes of light, outdoors, didn't light up the picture in the slightest. There are very few people I know who don't enjoy sitting outside on a warm summer night watching a colorful fireworks show. That being said, I know countless numbers of people who dislike taking photographs of fireworks. As you can see by the image to the right, attempting to take the photo on automatic mode usually turns out to be a shaky, dark, mess.

Automatic Mode (photo by thorntons360)

So, how do I take a great fireworks photo?

In order to snap a great fireworks picture, first and foremost you need to either: bring a tripod to the show, or fine a solid area to place your camera that wont shake. I personally recommend bringing a tripod. There is little to no chance of camera shake while the camera is taking the picture.

Much like action photography, or any motion photography - this comes down to using the shutter speed effectively on manual. Though, unlike action photography, we use the shutter speed in the complete opposite direction. Instead of a really fast shutter speed, you want to go into the really long shutter speeds. If you decrease your cameras shutter speed down and down in speeds beyond 1/20sec, 1/10sec, 1/5sec… you'll suddenly start seeing .5", .1", 1", 2", 4", etc. " represents second. If you max out the shutter length, you will eventually come across the B setting. The B stands for Bulb.

The Bulb setting allows you to control the amount of time your shutter is open for. When you press and hold down the shutter release button you will hear the shutter open click - but there will be no close click. Suffice to say, however long you hold down the shutter button is how long the camera will take the picture. Until you release the shutter release button, the shutter will remain open and light will be exposing the sensor (or film). Release the button and the shutter will close and the camera process the image. So this is where the tripod or solid surface comes in to play. Unless the camera is completely still the image will be blurry and capture a lot of motion.

How do I know when to start holding the shutter release?

Like most photography, this will take a few attempts - and lots of photos to perfect. Depending on how you want the photo to be taken, you may have to try different things.

Here is what I do: When I hear the firework go into the air with a wizzzzz. I start holding the shutter release button. The firework will explode, finish, and eventually evaporate. Not until it's all said and done do I release the shutter.

Your camera may take a few seconds to process, once it does you will see a bright and colorful fireworks photograph.

Experiment: Try releasing the shutter in the middle of the fireworks explosion. Try a whole bunch of different combinations.

Why does this work?

Your camera will not process the blacks. Black will always stay black. Since the sky is black, or mostly black, it will remain black the high exposure will not effect it. As the fireworks go off, the camera picks up the light emitted from the fireworks. The longer the camera shutter is open the more light the camera picks up creating a really interesting glow and streak.

Example Photos:

Medium Shutter (4")	Long Shutter (8")

Long Shutter (6")	Long Shutter (6")

Homework; 'Home-brewed Light Show':

Firework shows don't happen every day so you're not going to get much time to practice shooting fireworks. There is a cool experiment you can do that follows the same theory.

Grab your tripod (or find a solid surface), camera, and a friend. Have your friend hold a lighter, flashlight, or anything that has a bright-light on it. Now make sure you're in a pretty dark room or outside during the night. I suggest doing this at night. Set your camera to Bulb (B) and take the picture.

Have your friend attempt to draw something. A letter, a shape, or if you're feeling really gutsy try writing your name or a picture. Make sure to hold down the shutter release the whole time the person is drawing.

Post your homework photo in the comments below. Enjoy!