Firework Photography: B. Farnum Photography Prints For Sale
10 Things I have learned about taking photographs of fireworks:
Tripod- You are going to need a tripod, hand holding is not an option.
(B) is for Bulb, I generally click the shutter release when I first hear the firework being shot off. Using the Bulb setting on your camera, you can play around with exposure times. .
DO NOT.. keep your camera in Air Conditioning before taking it outdoors, especially when doing the 4th of July fireworks display..(Yes I did do this the second time I ever photographed fireworks, missed the entire fireworks display)
Scout out the location, before you set everything up.
Compose the shot before, generally speaking, because fireworks do have a mind of their own sometimes. But you want to make sure that you can capture them fully and fill the frame the best you can.
Bug Spray- because in Vermont, the mosquitoes are bloodthirsty.
Try and stay away from street lights or other forms of light that can through off your exposure.
F-Stop I try to use the largest f-stop I can, I start with f/8 and increase from there, to increase the depth of field of the image. Because sometimes explosions happen in different places, having a larger depth of field helps ensure that more than one firework will be in focus.
Cable release, because touching the shutter release will shake the camera even if it's on a tripod. It's really hard to use the timer on the camera, it can be done but too many variables are working against you to achieve the shots you are looking for. A cable release will prove to be a tool you will use all the time, buy one!
ISO- I try to use 100-200 ISO so I don't get fuzziness from the pixels. Because you want the edges the sharp.
