Photograph Fireworks
July 3rd, 2009 by stephen
Here are some quick tips on how you can photograph fireworks for the 4th.
Use a tripod Easy enough, fireworks require a steady hand. So setup with your tripod.
Use a remote Again, steady is the key, any sort of bump is going to blur your pictures.
Low ISO Definately do not set ISO Auto as your camera will likely crank up the ISO to comepensate, which will result in grainy photos.
Manual Focus Again, the camera has a hard time trying to do this for you in such low light. Manually set the distance and see if you can focus on a distant object (tree, skyline, etc).
Start with an aperture of f/5.6 at ISO 50 and ISO 100, and f/8 at ISO 200. If the photo is too dark, use an f/4. If it’s too bright, use f/11.
These quick tips should help you take some better fireworks photos. Remember, it’s not about the camera as much as it is about getting out there and getting shots. The photo above was taken in 2004 with a pocket Sony Cybershot camera, NOT the wonderful Nikon D50.
