Photographing Fireworks

There’s something a bit magical in a Fourth of July fireworks display. Designed to be a spectacular event celebrating the independence of our great Nation, it’s a true slice of Americana that is meant to be photographed and celebrated. Here are a few tips to help you capture some spectacular shots.
The Early Bird Gets the Shot: Try to get to the location a bit early if possible. It will give you time to survey the area and evaluate the best locations for your photography. Professional photographers will often counsel that a little bit of advance planning can make all the difference between a mediocre shot and a magnificent one.
Slow Your Shutter Speed:   A long exposure often works best with fireworks since they are moving events and contain bright light. Experiment with keeping the shutter open long but don’t overdo it because you can overexpose the image. Alternate between using a burst mode to capture the action as well as holding the shutter open (by pressing the button half-way at the beginning of the action and continue holding it down until the fireworks burst is complete) in a single shot. Each location and event has unique circumstances so keep experimenting as you go along until you find the effect that works for you.
Consider Continuous Shooting:   Shooting in burst mode, also called ‘continuous mode,’ is an excellent way to capture fast moving action or for those events where timing is everything. Shooting in burst mode will increase the odds of getting great images during the fireworks finale.
Forget the Flash:   Keep your flash turned off when photographing fireworks. . The flash only helps when your object is a few feet away, and in this case, it may prove to be more of a hindrance than helpful because the flash signals your camera that you need a shorter exposure time, when in fact, you need a little longer.
Try a Tripod:   With the combination of low light and fast action (the fireworks), a steady surface can greatly aid in helping you record that perfect image. We offer a number of high quality styles including compact, professional and monopod styles: http://www.precision-camera.com/main/tripods-and-monopods.html