By Molly McLaughlin on July 2, 2010 in
The Fourth of July is upon us again, replete with American flags, barbecues and, of course, fireworks. Have you ever tried to take pictures of a particularly beautiful fireworks display? It's likely you had a hard time, especially with a compact camera. I can remember, not so long ago, taking pictures of dazzling fireworks with my point-and-shoot film camera. I couldn't wait to see how they turned out. Unfortunately, the results were 100-percent disappointing. The shots were either completely black, a colorful blur or some combination of both. Digital cameras have made taking such tricky shots a little easier, or at least finding out sooner how poorly they turned out - but it's challenging nonetheless to get it just right. Here's a collection of shooting advice from around the web.
Popular Photography has a great how-to on capturing great shots of fireworks. The article includes tips on scouting your location, keeping the shots interesting and a guide to tweaking your camera settings. Once you've mastered that, try out their focus blur technique for some artsy looking photos. The site has some very cool-looking sample shots.
Lifehacker also has a collection of tips on shooting fireworks, as does Budget Travel magazine. Experts recommend using a tripod, if possible, to steady your shot and even a remote release, so you can take shots without touching the camera. Snag a good spot with an unobstructed view, and preferably an interesting background, like a bridge or monument.
A professional photographer offers a detailed list of what to take along with you to the fireworks display at the New York Institute of Photography's website. He suggests bringing a flashlight so you can more easily adjust settings, as well as an extra battery and memory cards. The article — a must-read — also includes detailed information how to adjust your camera's settings (shutter speed, aperture, ISO, flash) for optimal shots and tips for reducing noise in your photos.
So, get out there and be prepared to wow your family and friends with your impressive shots! And why not enter Gizmodo's fireworks shooting challenge while you're at it?