Fireworks Photo Ops!: Tips for Taking Great Fireworks Pictures

Many newer cameras come with scene modes on them, and “fireworks” is sometimes one of them. But, beware! If you don’t read that manual and play with your camera ahead of time, you will be disappointed. Most digital cameras set the shutter speed very slow in fireworks mode, sometimes as long as 2 seconds. That means the camera is taking the photo for 2 seconds, and any movement is recorded on the photo. That’s why so many fireworks photos come out blurry.

So what can you do? First, read your camera’s manual, especially the part about the scene modes. Learn what they do and how they work. Secondly, practice, practice, practice. Take outdoor photos at night using those scene modes to get used to how they work. Learn to use them to your advantage. And make sure you have enough “film.” The price of memory cards is dropping and it would be sad to not get the shot you wanted because your memory card is full. (Editor’s Note: We go through our photos every night on our trip and delete ones you KNOW you will never print. You know – those ones where your child’s eyes are closed or your finger is over the lens? Delete those to make room for future fantastic shots.)

Now, how do I hold my camera still for 2 seconds? Well, a tripod would help. What? You don’t carry one around with you at all times? Well, neither do I; in fact, I bring a monopod and tripod to Walt Disney World with me every trip and still forget to carry them with me into the parks. Too much baggage, especially since I don’t have a stroller or something like it to carry it in or on.

For long exposures, anything over 1/60 second, find a fixed object to use - a garbage can, seat back, light pole, rock, or tree trunk … whatever is available. Set your camera on or up against that object to assist in providing stability. So what if you have to hold the camera sideways, you want good photos, right? Besides, you can always rotate the photo to what you want on your computer during the editing process. This will get you the steadiness you need for those slow shutter speeds.