Its almost time for the 4th of July celebration parties. One thing you are pretty much guaranteed to see, fireworks! So how do you photograph them? With night photogrpahy it can always be a challenge because you don't want to over-expose your image and blow them out, but you also want them to be too dark and miss the action, and you really wont want them to be blurry and out of focus. So below are some tips to help you get the best images possible this 4th of July season. All photos copyright of Ryan Jakubowski.
Shutter Speed: Use a slow shutter speed to capture the full glory of fireworks. A longer exposure allows you to gather the entire explosion. Try settings between 5 to 10 seconds for DSLRs and mirrorless cameras.
ISO: Keep your ISO low to reduce digital noise. Aim for ISO 200 or 100, and avoid going above ISO 400.
Aperture (f-number): Choose a high f-number (small aperture) to maximize depth of field. This ensures that both the fireworks and the background remain in focus. Experiment with different apertures to find the right balance. Normally 5.6-8 is a good range. Yu are able to still use F2.8 as well if that is too dark, just know some might not be as in focus as the others.
Tripod: Use a tripod to keep your camera steady during long exposures. This is crucial for capturing well-defined trailing lines of light and multiple bursts of fireworks in one dynamic shot. There are also holders for cell phones you can use to attach to a tripod.
Research: Look for examples of fireworks photos taken from similar locations. Plan your angle and composition ahead of time. Preparation can make a significant difference in your results.
HDR (High Dynamic Range): If you’re using a phone, enable HDR mode. While phones can’t do long exposures like DSLRs, HDR can help enhance details in challenging lighting conditions.
Get there early: The main reason for this is to get your focus. At night, the best way to make sure your focus field is right is to get your focus during the day or before it gets too dark. Focus to infinity out to the horizon line on Auto Focus, then switch to manual focus. This will ensure your AF will not always try to find the focus in the dark and cause your images to be blurry.
Always remember to stay safe during times fireworks are being lit off. Be sure to share your favorite pictures to our facebook page at facebook.com/groups/michiganscapes
Have a wonderful holiday everyone!
Ryan Jakubowski
MichiganScapes Instructor / Owner
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