Learn how to take Cool photos of Fireworks and sparklers in low light.
Just in time for all the big fireworks this weekend for Independence Day, here’s your go to tips for taking awesome sparkler and firework photos with your DSLR camera and your iphone! It’s fun for fireworks and we love it for sparklers too.
How to caption Fireworks with a Camera
Here’s how to do it with a DSLR camera:
1. You need to use a tripod or a stable solid service that won’t move (don’t trust yourself to be that steady.)
2. Slow Shutter Speed – 20-30 seconds, Aperture around F8, with a low ISO.
3. Use a wide angle lens like: 12-18 mm. (I just used my kit lens and set it to 18mm.)
When you’re ready to take a photo, click the shutter release button and wait. It’ll be awhile before it clicks, and when it does, check your screen and see how the exposure is. If it’s too bright, adjust the aperture and make it smaller (higher number.) You want to leave your shutter speed really slow, because that will pick up all the trails and wonderful movement of the fireworks. Make sure to keep your ISO low so your photos won’t be grainy.
For iPhone photography use the Slow Shutter App.
We used this technique on a trip to Disneyland and took some fun photos of the fireworks. We even caught Tinkerbelle in action. 🙂 The trick is staying very still. We used all the same tips that I listed above to shoot fireworks.
You should try these tips out this weekend.
tiburon says
Very cool. I love your photos!
But you lost me at "aperture"
Nichole says
I have been reading your blog for a couple of weeks now and don't think I have left a comment yet. So I just wanted to tell you that I love love LOVE your crowd pictures where they are a blur. I am an aspiring photographer and love taking pictures so you can be sure I will be trying this technique soon!
Letti says
Thank you for this valuable info especially just in time for fireworks.
100 Percent Cottam says
excellent tips! i will try this out this weekend.
Julie and Matt says
Those pictures are incredible! You are just getting better and better.
em ♥ muffin says
perfect! this is just what i needed!
Tiffany says
your pics turned out great! My hub and I were just talking about a crowd blur picture. very cool!
Cole says
I NEED a tripod, and the sutter release button!!!!!
Love it!
Christi says
LOVE this! (Also, love your blog!) This idea totally reminds me of the movie A Lot Like Love. If you haven't seen it, then you must. Very cute.
Jane says
Thanks! You always have the greatest pictures. I am trying hard to get there . . .
Lacey Jane says
Wow- we did have (almost) the exact trip! Too bad we didn't see you at Disneyland!
And these photos are awesome! I was too lazy to carry around my camera, but now I'm wishing I did after looking at these amazing photos!
Laura says
The crowd picture is so neat! What a cool idea.
Omgirl says
Very interesting stuff. I got out my very non-amazing digital camera to see how many of those things it would let me adjust. It will let me adjust aperature and shutter speed. I haven't found ISO yet. And the slowest shutter speed I can get is 15 seconds. I'm also not sure how to adjust the angle on this camera since it is just a built-in lense. It says it goes 5.8mm to 29mm, but I'm not sure if that's true. Any thoughts???
bethany says
nice work!! i never have the tolerance to carry around my tripod, i am so impressed! you have inspired me! 🙂
Diane says
I like in your pictures it shows people but not all their faces and not clearly, like the subjects. Great idea.
Alison says
I wondered how that worked!! 🙂 I’m hoping to buy a DSLR very soon and master it, so thanks for the tips!!
Michelle says
What app would you recommend for an iPhone?
Kami says
Hi Michelle! The Slow Shutter App works good.