Fireworks photography is the process of taking
photographs of
fireworks
Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices ...
at night. It is a type of
night photography
Night photography (also called nighttime photography) refers to the activity of capturing images outdoors at night, between dusk and dawn. Night photographers generally have a choice between using artificial lighting and using a long exposur ...
, specifically using available light of the
fireworks
Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices ...
instead of artificial light. Without using the flash on the camera, the photographer often exposes the image for a period of time, known as
long exposure
Long-exposure, time-exposure, or slow-shutter photography involves using a long-duration shutter speed to sharply capture the stationary elements of images while blurring, smearing, or obscuring the moving elements. Long-exposure photography ...
.
Brighter fireworks sometimes support shorter exposure times.
Exposing the image for long periods of time, requires that the camera is held as steady as possible by the photographer, as slight movements will result in notable
camera shake
Image stabilization (IS) is a family of techniques that reduce blurring associated with the motion of a camera or other imaging device during exposure.
Generally, it compensates for pan and tilt (angular movement, equivalent to yaw and pit ...
. The most common and effective equipment used to prevent camera shake for long image exposures are a good sturdy
tripod
A tripod is a portable three-legged frame or stand, used as a platform for supporting the weight and maintaining the stability of some other object. The three-legged (triangular stance) design provides good stability against gravitational loads ...
along with a remote shutter release (avoiding to have to touch the camera when taking the shot).
Another challenge the photographer faces with exposure timing is having to estimate how long to expose the image in relation to when the firework bursts. Opening the shutter just before the firework bursts and then closing it after its finished would provide the ideal timing for capturing that 'perfect moment'.
This can be achieved by setting the camera to
'b' or 'bulb' whereby exposure times are under the direct control of the photographer through the shutter release button.
Photographing Fireworks
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Examples
The following samples are ordered from longer to shorter exposure time.
Image:FireWerx.JPG, Photo of exploding artillery shell fireworks. Backyard fireworks
Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices ...
in Denton, Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
, ''60 second exposure''
Image:HandHeld ArtillleryShell.JPG, Photo of exploding artillery shell fireworks. 4 July fireworks
Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices ...
in Denton, Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
, ''60 second exposure''
Image:Roman Crop Rotation.JPG, Roman candle with report. 4 July fireworks
Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices ...
in Denton, Texas
Texas (, ; Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2020, it is the second-largest U.S. state by ...
, ''60 second exposure''
Image:Fireworks PDX 1.jpg, 4 July fireworks
Fireworks are a class of low explosive pyrotechnic devices used for aesthetic and entertainment purposes. They are most commonly used in fireworks displays (also called a fireworks show or pyrotechnics), combining a large number of devices ...
in Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
* Portland, Oregon, the largest city in the state of Oregon, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States
* Portland, Maine, the largest city in the state of Maine, in the New England region of the northeas ...
, Oregon
Oregon () is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States. The Columbia River delineates much of Oregon's northern boundary with Washington, while the Snake River delineates much of its eastern boundary with Idaho. T ...
, ''10 second exposure''
Image:Fireworks in San Jose California 2007 07 04 by Ian Kluft img 9618.jpg, Fourth of July
Independence Day (colloquially the Fourth of July) is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, establishing the United States ...
fireworks in San Jose, California
California is a state in the Western United States, located along the Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the most populous U.S. state and the 3rd largest by area. It is also the m ...
, ''2 second exposure''
Image:Kluft-photo-fireworks-San Jose-July 4 2008-Img 1198.jpg, more Fourth of July fireworks from San Jose, ''1 second exposure''
File:Kluft-photo-fireworks-Cameron-Park-June-2009-Img 2951c2.jpg, Fireworks in Cameron Park, California
Cameron Park is a census-designated place (CDP) in El Dorado County, California, United States and is part of the Greater Sacramento Area. The population was 19,171 in the 2020 census, up from 18,228 in 2010. Cameron Park is a community located in ...
, ''1/40th second exposure''
Image:World Showcase Lagoon during IllumiNations.jpg, The World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot
Epcot, stylized in all uppercase as EPCOT, is a theme park at the Walt Disney World Resort in Bay Lake, Florida. It is owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company through its Parks, Experiences and Products division. Inspired by an unreal ...
in Walt Disney World
The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee. Opened on October 1, 1971, ...
during IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth (the nightly fireworks show), ''1/100th second exposure''
References
External links
Three Fireworks Photography articles from New York Institute of Photography
Photography by genre
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