So we are coming the the end of year 2008. One of the best thing during new year celebration especially for us photographers, we will have the opportunity to shoot great fireworks show. So, today I am writing a post which will guide you step by step on how to get great fireworks pictures.

The Equipment to use:

1. A camera. DSLR/SLR would be better. But if you don’t have one, you can always shoot with your compact camera. Read a post I wrote a year ago on how to shoot great pictures with your compact camera .

2. Lens. You might thinking what lens is the best for shooting fireworks. Bring your wide angle lens or your 18-50 / 18-70mm kit lens. The kit lens would be more than enough.

3. Batteries. Make sure you fully charged you battery before you go. With a cold night weather, batteries tend to dry fast. If your camera use normal AA batteries buy the long lasting and buy extra set.

4. Memory Card. Make sure you empty your memory card before you go and don’t forget to format the card before you shoot. Bring extra cards if you have.

5. Tripod. Because fireworks is showed at night and you will be using a very slow shutter speed, you will need a tripod to mount the camera.

6. Remote release. Bring your remote release. It will help reduce vibration in your camera. If you don’t have one, use your camera’s timer. Set it to the shortest time. Normally 2 seconds.

7. Torch Light. You might need one depending on where you want to shoot.

8. Warm cloth. I guarantee you will need this. You will be there early to get a perfect spot and wait there until 12 O’clock. Don’t make the cold weather ruin your mood.

The Right Setting

1. ISO: Use the lowest possible. Normally 100 or 200 depending on your camera model.

2. Aperture: For ISO 100, f/8 - f/16. For ISO 200, f/11 - f/22.

3. Shutter speed. Adjust the shutter speed according to your ISO and Aperture setting.Normally between 5 to 15 seconds or more.

4. Turn ON your camera’s continuous mode.

5. Switch to Manual Focus. You will need to focus on any area that you think the fireworks will be. Or you can focus to infinity.

6. Use remote release or timer to trigger the shutter.

The Steps

1. When you arrive, search for the best spot.

2. Set up you tripod and camera.

3. Adjust your shutter speed, aperture and ISO.

4. Wait for the fireworks to start. If you want to go somewhere, bring your camera but leave your tripod there. But make sure you can still see your tripod. It’s good if you can come with some friends or family.

5. The last 30 minutes before the fireworks starts, make sure you are already at your spot and check the setting.

6. When the fireworks starts, shoot one frame and check your setting whether its well exposed or not. Make a quick adjustment and continue shooting.

7. Wait for the best fireworks view before you shoot because your shutter speed will be very slow. So if you set you shutter speed to 15 seconds, then you will have to wait 15 seconds before you can shoot another picture.

8. Keep on shooting until the fireworks finish. No talking at this time. The fireworks show will be very short.

Other Usefull Tips

1. Bring some snacks.

2. Make sure you have done all your “toilet activities” before you go .

3. Bring some on with you. He or she can watch your equipment if you need to go somewhere and  you will not be boring too.

4. Make sure you are comfartable to adjust exposure (Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO) on your camera. Get to know your camera first before you go. When the fireworks starts, you will have no time to learn how t adjust exposure anymore. The fireworks will normally be very short in time.

That’s all techniques I have to share with you. I hope you give some of your techniques to or you can tell us your experience shooting fireworks at the comment section bellow. I am sure we can learn something from you too. So good luck and Happy New Year!!!

Technorati Tags: how to shoot fireworks, fireworks, photography tips

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1. National Geographic Photography

2. Time Magazine PhotoEssay

3. Joe McNally Blog