How to Photograph Fireworks

shooting fireworks is not hard...once you know how

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Camera (film OR digital )
• Cable release
• Tripod
• film if needed
• a dark night and some fireworks
• Wrap up warm, its cold out there !

1. Shooting fireworks is not hard to do..first find a fireworks display ( it does help) To get the best shots it's better not to get to close to where the action is, stand back about 50 yards or so from where the fireworks will be launched from.
2. Make sure your not going to be in anybody' s way , or that they are not going to be falling over the tripod, apart from ruining your shot it probably wont do much for your camera either, wait until the first firworks has been launched, you will need to do this so you can tell roughly what part of the sky the firework will "detonate" in, so you can record it. It also helps if you have an old hat or cap ( dark coloured ) as well...you'll find out why soon.
   
   Once you have established WHICH part of the sky the fireworks will explode in, compose your shot, now if your using film ( some people do you know, me included! )i would suggest about a 200 asa / iso speed, you wont need anything faster.
   
   Ok....set your aperture to about f5.6..place your old cap or hat in front of the lens....and fire and HOLD...the cable release (if it has a "lock" so much the better). Now...the idea is very simple..when a firework is launched remove the hat /cap from in front of the lens ...let the fireworks do its stuff, and CAREFULLY put the cap/ hat back again, if you repeat this 3 -5 times you will get a "built" up image of different fireworks going of on one frame, similar to my photograph.
3. Repeat as often as you like until you have either run out of film,or space on your media card....or have alternatively frozen your fingers and toes solid ! i hope you have a lot of success !!

Tips & Warnings

• be aware of other people around you, safety is obviously very important, and nightime is a boon to the less honest type, ideally have a friend with you, a small torch is a handy thing to have as well, often these events are on sports fields etc where the ground can be rough...and easy to trip over, i know....i've done it ( broken arm )...be careful and enjoy the results of your photography.