With fireworks season upon us, it’s time to grab your camera, bundle up, and prepare for some exciting creative challenges. Whether you’re photographing a large public fireworks display or a backyard bonfire, capturing fireworks in photos can be a tricky but rewarding experience. The bright bursts of light, vibrant colours, and dynamic movement make fireworks photography uniquely challenging, especially in low light. But with a bit of planning, the right equipment, and some strategic camera settings, you can create stunning, professional-quality fireworks photos.
From choosing the best camera and lenses to mastering manual mode, long exposures, and ideal camera settings for fireworks, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know. So, if you’re ready to capture those beautiful explosions in the sky, here’s how to get started:
Plan Ahead
A bit of prep goes a long way. Jot down a few ideas about the shots you want, and if capturing the background is important, arrive early to scope out the best vantage points. Choose a spot with enough space to set up comfortably without the risk of others tripping over your gear.
Before heading out, double-check your kit. Spare memory cards and batteries are essential — nothing spoils the moment faster than a full card or a dead battery just before the grand finale.
Correct technique combined with the right gear can help you get results like this. (Canon EOS 550D with 18-135mm lens, tripod and Canon RC6 remote, focal length 18mm, ISO 200, f18, 7 second exposure)
Essential Gear
Camera:
A camera with strong low-light performance will make a noticeable difference when photographing fireworks, as it helps capture more detail and reduces noise in dark areas. Look for models with larger sensors, like full-frame or APS-C cameras, which perform better at higher ISO levels. Here are a couple of options. You can see our full guide to the best cameras for low-light photography here.
Tripod:
A sturdy tripod is invaluable. It keeps the camera stable for long exposures, allowing you to capture smooth, streaky effects as fireworks burst across the sky.
Remote or Self-Timer:
Using a remote with your tripod lets you shoot in “Bulb” mode, giving full control over exposure length. This avoids any camera shake from pressing the shutter and allows you to time shots precisely. If you don’t have a remote, a self-timer can work too, though with some limitations.
Camera Settings
Shooting Handheld:
No tripod? No problem. You can still capture decent results by shooting handheld, but you may need to increase the ISO (try 800 or above) for a faster shutter speed. A wider aperture, like f4 or f2.8, will help you get the right exposure in low light. Shooting handheld also gives you the freedom to experiment with creative light trails by moving the camera as you shoot.
You don't necessarily need a tripod to shoot fireworks – this was captured handheld at a shutter speed of 1/200sec. (Canon EOS 350D with 18-55mm lens, no tripod, ISO 800, f5.6, 18mm focal length, 1/200 second exposure, no flash)
Manual Mode:
For the best control, shoot in Manual (M), Shutter-priority (S), or Aperture-priority (A) mode. It’s also best to focus manually — autofocus can struggle in low light, so set your focus to infinity if the fireworks are far off.
Flash:
Leave your flash off. It’s unnecessary for distant fireworks and will only illuminate nearby objects you probably don’t want in your shot.
ISO:
Keep your ISO as low as possible (typically around ISO 100) to avoid grain and preserve image quality. If you need a faster shutter speed and can’t open the aperture further, then increase it gradually.
An ISO of 100 has been used for this image to minimise noise. (Canon EOS 350D with 18-55mm lens, ISO 100, f5.6, 55mm focal length, 0.6 second exposure, no flash, no tripod)
Aperture:
The aperture controls how much light enters the lens. For long exposures on a tripod, try an aperture between f7.1 and f16. Without a tripod, a larger aperture like f4-5.6 will allow faster shutter speeds to reduce blur. Remember, smaller apertures (like f22) increase depth of field, so if you’re using a wide-angle lens and want to capture the foreground, this can be useful.
An aperture of f5.6 provides enough depth of field while keeping the shutter speed fast enough for the camera to be used without a tripod. (Canon EOS 350D with 18-55mm lens, ISO 800, f5.6, 31mm focal length, 1/200 second exposure, no flash, no tripod)
Shutter Speed:
To capture streaky effects, use a longer exposure (1-15 seconds). If you have a remote release, try “Bulb” mode to hold the shutter open for multiple explosions. Fireworks are bright, so overexposure can happen quickly if you’re capturing several bursts in a single frame. To avoid this, consider using a dark glove or black card to cover the lens between explosions. This technique also helps block any stray light sources.
By lengthening the shutter speed to 4 seconds, you can capture fireworks as they explode and streak across the sky. (Canon EOS 350D with 18-55mm lens, ISO 400, f5.6, 55mm focal length, 4 sec. exposure, no flash)
Top Tips
Know Your Camera
Familiarise yourself with where key settings are on your camera. This might sound obvious, but in the dark, fumbling for controls can be disorienting. If you’re still getting comfortable, a head torch can be helpful for quick adjustments.
Framing
Framing fireworks can be tricky, especially in windy conditions. Be ready to adjust your camera orientation as the explosions may occur higher or wider than you’d expect. Flexibility here will help you capture shots with just the right composition.
Review Your Shots
Check your shots as you go to avoid surprises. Look out for any overexposure, and make sure the fireworks are positioned nicely within the frame.
Try Different Perspectives
Experiment with both close-ups of the explosions for a more abstract effect and wider shots to capture the full scene. Including surrounding elements can add a sense of story to your image. When shooting from a distance, watch out for light pollution or stray light sources that could cause overexposure. And don’t forget to keep your horizons level!
Use Reflections
Reflections can add a dramatic touch to fireworks shots. If the display is near water — like a river, lake, or even a series of puddles — try framing the reflections to enhance the overall composition.
Stay Warm, Have Patience, and Enjoy Yourself
Photographing fireworks takes patience, and each display will be different, so don’t worry if your first few shots aren’t perfect. It’s all about experimenting with settings and learning as you go. Make a note of what works, layer up to stay warm, and enjoy the experience!
Buying Guides
