Independence Day is right around the corner, and if you’re planning to document the local fireworks show, then you better pack more than just a picnic blanket and some drinks.
Over the years I’ve learned an important lesson when it comes to shooting fireworks: never leave home without a tripod. Regardless of how advanced your camera, there is little chance that you will be able to take decent photos of fireworks without a sturdy tripod. Leave your tripod at home and you will likely experience camera shake and blurry photos. If you don’t own a tripod, then at least find a solid surface to set up your camera. You’ll want to find a spot that will resist vibrations and is flat enough to accommodate your camera without tilting it too much to one side.
After you get your gear in order, it’s time to secure a good vantage point. Typically, all the good shooting spots are taken early in the day, especially if you are taking photos of a community fireworks show in a public park. This is why it’s important to scout out a prime picture-taking location hours in advance of the show. Ideally you want to set-up your camera and tripod in a spot where the fireworks are exploding in front of you and not directly above you. It’s also a good idea to find a few landmarks nearby that can be included with the fireworks in the shots. This will yield more intriguing compositions. Just remember that photos with unwanted trees and street lamps rarely make for frame worthy shots, so try to avoid awkward objects while take photos of pyrotechnic displays.
Finally, check on the winds and weather periodically throughout the day. Clouds and wind play a big factor in fireworks photography. You’ll want to avoid setting up your camera in an area where the smoke from the fireworks will obscure your shots on a breezy night.
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