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 with these 8 tips from Ted's Cameras.
Last updated: June 2026
Tip 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!
Tip 2: Mount Your Camera on a Tripod (and Use a Remote)
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. With your camera mounted, camera shake is all but eliminated - except when you need to touch it. Even the lightest touch can introduce blur, so use a remote shutter release to trigger the exposure without ever touching the camera, giving you even more creative control.
Tip 3: Adjust Your Shutter Speed
Adjusting your shutter speed as the fireworks move across the sky is key to a great shot - see the Best Camera Settings section below for the specific Bulb mode and exposure timing to use.
Tip 4: Don't Use Flash
When taking firework photos, leave your flash 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, 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.
Tip 5: 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 swapping lenses 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.
- If you have a zoom lens, try zooming in or out during a long exposure for a wild, streaking effect - release the shutter once the fireworks explode, then turn your zoom ring for something extraordinary.
Tip 6: 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 fireworks display 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.
Best Camera Settings for Photographing Fireworks
Getting your camera settings right is the single biggest factor in capturing sharp, vibrant fireworks photos. Start with a low ISO of 100-200 to minimise grain - fireworks are bright enough that you don't need to push sensitivity. Set your aperture to f/8-f/16 for a deep depth of field that keeps both the burst and the background in focus. Use Bulb mode or a shutter speed of 2-10 seconds to expose the full arc of each rocket trail. Switch your lens to manual focus and pre-focus on the area where fireworks are bursting to avoid autofocus hunting in the dark. Shoot in RAW for maximum flexibility when editing colours and exposure in post-production.
Best Camera and Lens for Fireworks Photography
You don't need the most expensive gear to photograph fireworks beautifully, but the right kit helps. A DSLR or mirrorless camera with full manual controls - such as the Sony Alpha 7 series, Nikon Z series, or Canon EOS R series - gives you the flexibility you need. Pair it with a wide-angle to standard zoom lens (16-50mm or 24-70mm) to capture both the fireworks and the surrounding skyline (see Tip 2 above for why a remote shutter release is essential too). If you're shooting a close or telephoto display, a 70-200mm lens lets you isolate individual bursts for dramatic, detail-rich compositions.
How To Photograph Fireworks With a Smartphone
Don't have a dedicated camera? You can still capture impressive fireworks photos on your smartphone. Open your camera app and look for a dedicated Pro, Manual, or Night mode - available on most modern iPhones and Android devices. Reduce the ISO as low as it will go and increase exposure time where possible. Most importantly, prop or mount your phone on a mini tripod or stable surface to eliminate hand-shake during the long exposure. Avoid digital zoom, which degrades image quality - instead, move closer to your shooting position before the display starts. Some phones, such as the Google Pixel and iPhone 15 Pro, offer specific long-exposure or Action Pan modes that work well for capturing light trails from fireworks bursts.