Photographing Fireworks

Bottom line: Use a Tripod. Shutter speed 1 to 2 seconds. Aperture at f/8, f/11, or even f/16. Focus on Infinity. No flash. ISO 100 or 200. Include intereting foreground objects (in this case you may want to use the flash set to strobe light and focus on the object instead of infinity).

One of the highlights of our summer season is the Fourth of July.

However and wherever you celebrate Independence Day, plan to take some sizzling photos of fireworks! To do that read How to Take Great Fireworks Photos on our site. We actually have three separate articles for your review — one explains how to take the best possible photos of big commercial displays, one concentrates on the possibilities with backyard fireworks (there’s a lot you can do with a sparkler or two) and the third provides special tips for digital point-and-shoot cameras. And there’s a bonus: the first four paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence, which are just as powerful and important today as they were 233 years ago.

Read more!