Prints

Gifts

Wedding

Explore

Photograph Fireworks

4 Quick (& Basic) Tips to Photographing Fireworks this Summer

Get your phones and cameras ready! We are kicking off the season of celebration, SUMMER! I love this time of year! Lots of outdoor summer nights and loads of fun with friends and family.

We want to make sure you are ready to capture every moment. Learn how to take some amazing pics. Keep reading to learn all our best tips to photographing fireworks this summer.


Using a Phone

  1. Ensure that “HDR mode is off and Live Photos is turned on” (Apple Store How To). Live photos will allow you to choose the specific moment of the “bang” you wanted to capture, after the photo is taken.
  2. Be sure your flash is turned off.
  3. Hold steady, tap the screen to lock focus.
  4. Include a landmark in the photo for framing or a silhouette.  As the fireworks explode, they will light up a statue, stadium, park, lake, or whatever the surrounding area includes.
Photograph Fireworks

Using a dSLR:

  1. Use a tripod. You’ll need longer exposures, using a tripod will avoid blurry photos, or camera shake. Do not use a flash.
  2. Set your dSLR camera on either Firework or Manual mode. In Fireworks mode, the camera will take care of the settings. In Manual mode, set your camera to ISO 200, aperture f/8, and shutter speed between 5 and 15 seconds. Take a look at the first few shots to see how they are turning out and adjust accordingly.
  3. Include a landmark in the photo for framing or a silhouette.  As the fireworks explode, they will light up a statue, stadium, park, lake, or whatever the surrounding area includes.
Photograph Fireworks

Shutter Speed: 1/80 | Aperture: F/4.5 | ISO 800 | Mode: Manual

Try it with Sparklers

Now that you’ve learned how to photograph fireworks, try it with sparklers! Check out our TikTok video on how to get those photos looking their best, using an iPhone!

Be sure to make something cool like a photo book, retro prints, or collage with your firework photos! Be the first to know when new tips are released, get exclusive access to deals, free downloads, and so much more by joining the Persnickety Prints Family!

We can’t wait to see what photos you take! Share your shots with us by tagging @PersnicketyPrints