It's no secret that Australia is a world-renowned destination for fireworks. Watched the world over, from Australia Day to ANZAC day, and of course, the Sydney fireworks on New Year's; there's no better place to celebrate with a bang.
But what if you want to capture fireworks displays in all their explosive glory? Taking fireworks photos can be a challenge, but with a few tips and the right accessories, you can capture the rockets and starbursts like a pro. Learn how to photograph fireworks like a pro with these 8 tips from Ted's Cameras.
#1 Find the best vantage point
Finding the ultimate vantage point is critical in taking photos of fireworks. Consider your position with where the fireworks display is located and the reference points around you buildings, trees, monuments, and people. The contrast between the fireworks and your reference points can take your firework photos to the next level.
Just be ready to get in early to secure your position, as these can quickly get crowded with other like-minded photographers!
#2 Mount your camera on a tripod
Keeping your camera still is critical whenever you're shooting a moving target or subject. To capture movement correctly, you should be motionless.
Using a tripod or monopod will ensure your images are stable and without camera shake or unintentional blur.
Check out the tripod options below to keep your camera still while shooting fireworks.
#3 Use a camera remote control
With your camera mounted, camera shake is all but eliminated except when you need to touch your camera. No matter how delicate you think you are, even the lightest touch can introduce camera shake, resulting in blurred fireworks photos.
To avoid camera shake entirely, use a remote shutter release. These incredible pieces of technology communicate with your camera remotely, allowing you to manipulate exposure from afar and giving you even more creative control.
Shop one of the remote controls below to capture the best fireworks photos:
Shop one of the remote controls below to capture the best fireworks photos:
#4 Adjust your Shutter Speed
You can achieve great results if you adjust the shutter speed as the fireworks move across the sky. The bulb setting is excellent for retaining control over the length of your exposure, as it allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you want, especially while using the remote shutter release.
You can time the exposure from when the rocket goes up in the air until the firework has finished exploding - just make sure not to overexpose the image during long exposure fireworks photos.
#5 Don't use flash
When taking firework photos, leave your flash at home or turned off. Although these light shows occur in darkness, the fireworks themselves produce enough light to illuminate your photos. Because you're taking a picture of bright lights (it's an explosion, after all), you'll want to keep your ISO settings as low as 200 to avoid overexposing your images.
Adding more light will wash out the background and ruin the overall effect. Use flash only when you want to illuminate people or objects in the foreground, close to the camera.
#6 Play around with different lenses
In the world of camera lenses, the best one is always subjective. Instead of seeking out the best lens for fireworks photos, we recommend swappinglenses and playing around with different focal lengths and angles until you land on the perfect setup.
- A wide-angle lens is a great starting point if you want to capture the surroundings and get more than one explosion into a single fireworks photo.
- For close-up fireworks photos, choose a zoom lens (ideally 200mm or more). If you only have access to a wide-angle lens, crop your fireworks photos at home for the same effect.
#7 Experiment with your Zoom lens
If you have a zoom lens, try zooming in or out during long exposures for some wild fireworks photos. Release the shutter once the fireworks explode, then turn your zoom ring for something extraordinary.
#8 Avoid using lens filters
Camera lens filters are perfect for giving your shots that special touch. Polarising filters, for example, select which light rays enter your camera lens, which will, unfortunately, distort probably the most critical component of any fireworks photo: colour. Remove your camera filters before the fireworks display starts to get authentic results.
Start capturing the best fireworks photos today
Look up when your next local firework is, and start applying these tips to capture beautiful firework photos. If you're still unsure how to take photos of fireworks, feel free to drop into your local Ted's Store for a chat with our expert staff, and browse our cameras and lenses online to find the perfect match for you.
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