Freeze-Frame Fireworks
Tips for getting terrific photos of fireworks.Dave Johnson
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When I lived in Colorado, my kitchen window looked out on Pike's Peak, which a group of intrepid hikers climbed each Fourth of July to launch fireworks from its summit. Now that I live near Seattle, the highlight of Independence Day is watching the spectacle of fireworks that get launched from the top of the Space Needle.
No matter where you live, there's probably some sort of fireworks show you might want to try photographing. It's not hard to get nice pictures; this week, let's see what you need to know to get the most out of your digital camera on Independence Day--or during any fireworks show.
Use a Tripod
I know you hate to hear this, but to get good results you really should mount your camera on a tripod. Photos of fireworks require an exposure of a second or more, and you really can't hold the camera steady for that long. If you don't want to haul a tripod around, consider using a monopod--my wife has one that doubles as a walking stick for day hikes. It won't be as steady as a tripod, but it can be a reasonable compromise. You could also just prop your camera on a solid surface. You might want to try a gadget like The Pod, which is essentially a bean bag with a tripod mount in the top.
Exposing the Shot
Keep in mind that since we're shooting fireworks, we're pretty much committed to taking night photos. And that means the exposure will be somewhat lengthy. If your camera has a Bulb setting, I suggest that you try using it. In this mode, your shutter will stay open as long as you hold your finger down on the release, giving you total control over the exposure. When the fireworks are launched, press the shutter release to start the exposure. Then hold the button down until after the fireworks have bloomed, several seconds later.
Of course, if you don't have a Bulb setting, you can still get great photos--if you can set the shutter speed yourself (usually via Shutter Priority mode). Try using a shutter speed of about 2 seconds to start with, and adjust as needed as the night goes on and you preview your results on the camera's LCD.
What about the aperture? Actually, the aperture you choose is not especially important when shooting fireworks. If you can control your camera's aperture, try starting near f/8. After you take your first couple of pictures, review them on your camera's LCD and check to see if you're getting good color and rich, bright lights. If the bright blue, orange, and red fireworks all look kind of white, you should use the same exposure time, but close the aperture a bit and try again. That means changing your f/8 setting to f/11 or perhaps f/16. If the fireworks are too dim, open the aperture to f/5.6 or f/4.
It Helps to Prefocus
Your camera usually does all your focusing for you. That's cool, but in the near-total darkness of fireworks photography, there's nothing for your camera to lock on to. And that means it might waste time at the moment of exposure trying to lock in focus, causing you to lose the shot. If you've ever tried taking a picture in the dark and heard the lens straining to find the right focus, you know what I'm talking about.
The solution? If your camera has a landscape mode (usually symbolized by a mountain range), switch to that and it'll automatically focus at infinity. If not, see if your camera has a manual focus mode and set it yourself. Either way, now your camera will not waste time trying to focus.
Share Your Fireworks
Well, it's time to take pictures. You've got your camera mounted on a tripod, the focus is set to infinity, and the shutter speed is 2 or 4 seconds (or set to Bulb). After the big event, be sure to submit your best photo as a Hot Pic of the Week, and maybe you'll see it published here in this newsletter. Good luck!
Hot Pic of the Week
Get published, get famous! Each week, we select our favorite reader-submitted photo based on creativity, originality, and technique. Every month, the best of the weekly winners gets a prize valued at between $15 and $50.
Here's how to enter: Send us your photograph in JPEG format, at a resolution no higher than 640 by 480 pixels. Entries at higher resolutions will be immediately disqualified. If necessary, use an image editing program to reduce the file size of your image before e-mailing it to us. Include the title of your photo along with a short description and how you photographed it. Don't forget to send your name, e-mail address, and postal address. Before entering, please read the full description of the contest rules and regulations.
This Week's Hot Pic: "Hurdles," by Brad Miller, Byesville, Ohio
Brad says: "Buckeye Trail's Erika Urbauer led the field through the girl's 110 meter hurdles at the 'Early Bird' Track Invitational at Meadowbrook High School in Byesville, Ohio. I took this with my Canon 20D and a 70-210mm lens."
See all the Hot Pic of the Week photos online.