Fireworks displays can be some of the most spectacular events to capture, they can also be quite challenging. Studying the right types of settings and utilizing some fundamental techniques can greatly assist in getting what you want out of your camera. In Calgary there are many different occasions when fireworks exhibitions can be seen from the Calgary Stampede and Chinese New Years to Canada Day and Globalfest which features an international fireworks competition. The following is a selection of some of my experiences and techniques in capturing these fireworks events.
Techniques
As many who have taken fireworks shots know it can sometimes be challenging to get them to turn out how you like them to. In talking to different photographers and enthusiasts it would seem that many have a different view of what they want. Some go for solid exposure while trying to keep highlights from blowing out, yet others want as many bursts in the shot as possible. Some want a stunning cityscape from which the fireworks burst forth into the sky.
My personal style aims for a few approaches. First I always want as much vibrant color and as many bursts as possible. Also depending on the situation composition can play a big factor, especially when working among a crowd. The way people appear and the surrounding scene appear in my shots is almost as important as the bursts themselves.
What I rely most on for fireworks are the fundamentals, tripod and remote shutter release is a must have. The right lens for the angle of view. Often I will work with a fixed lens as I have more flexibility in low light as well as benefiting from the added sharpness and quality that a fixed lens can provide. When using an ultra-wide angle lens you can benefit from better depth of field at wider f-stops.
Depending on how much light I have my exposure will range usually from 2-4 seconds, on a fixed lens I would go anywhere from f-7.1- f13. If you can arrive early and test your settings you may also benefit from having a great spot to take your pictures from before the crowds arrive. The shutter speeds involved may very from situation to situation, I use the 2-4 seconds as I did for the images I have included in this article.
The real trick is controlling ambient light and balancing that with the bright rapid bursts that fireworks provide. To control this I use a trick that many have used since the beginning of photography, physically blocking light from entering the lens while the shutter is open. To accomplish this first I will start the exposure as I see the fireworks start bursting into the sky.
With the shutter open for 2-4 seconds I will then for about half a second place my hand in front of the lens, or sometimes a dark object. (As long as you are using an exposure of a few seconds or more your hand wont appear in the shot.) It takes some practice to get the timing right. Also keep in mind if you are using faster shutter speeds the effect is negated where as longer exposures involve potentially blocking the front of your lens longer.
The result of this technique is that more of the fireworks burst will appear in the frame, you are reducing ambient light, also you are reducing the risk of to many blown out highlights. You also can reduce the length of the trailing flares as the fireworks bursts start to fade so that you get more clearly defined lines and streaks.
Focusing manually on a predefined area where you know most or all of the action will be is ideal in night situations. Some lenses will perform better then other in regards to autofocus and performance may vary. The important thing in applying any of these or other methods to your fireworks photography is that, if you are getting the results you like then don’t be afraid to use what works for you. Lastly, applying your personal creativity and own style to your photos can be a very rewarding experience.
