How to Photograph Fireworks – A Complete Guide to Photographing Fireworks at Night
In this tutorial, I’m going to show you how to photograph fireworks with ease. Plus, I’m giving away a FREE Fireworks Photography Guide that you can take with you on your shoot.
Photographing fireworks is actually easier than it looks. You just need the right camera equipment, the correct firework photography settings, and a good eye for composition and long exposure photography.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to:
Set up your camera for fireworks photography at night
Use manual camera settings for sharp, vibrant fireworks
Expose correctly while adding creative foreground interest
We’d love to see your firework photography inspired by this tutorial.
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Download our free guide below.
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Firework Photography Camera Settings (Manual Mode)
Nitish Meena on Unsplash
To get sharp, colourful results when photographing fireworks, your camera needs to be in Manual mode (M).
Recommended Camera Settings for Photographing Fireworks
Aperture: f/22
Shutter Speed: 15 seconds (perfect for capturing fireworks bursts)
ISO: 100
Focus: Manual focus set to infinity
These firework photography settings allow you to capture multiple bursts using long exposure photography while keeping noise to a minimum.
Essential Equipment for Photographing Fireworks
Tripod for Fireworks Photography
When photographing fireworks at night, your camera must remain completely still.
A strong, sturdy tripod is essential to avoid motion blur during long exposures.
Avoid cheap or flimsy tripods as they can move in wind and ruin your shots.
DSLR or Mirrorless Camera with Manual Controls
To successfully capture fireworks, you need a camera that supports full manual control.
A DSLR or mirrorless camera is ideal for photographing fireworks because it allows you to control:
Shutter speed
Aperture
ISOTo learn how to use your camera in fully manual mode click here.
Remote Trigger or Cable Release
When photographing fireworks, do not touch the camera during exposure.
Using a remote trigger or cable release prevents camera shake and ensures sharp results.
Wide-Angle or Standard Lens for Fireworks Photography
An ultra-wide angle lens is ideal for photographing fireworks displays, especially if you want to capture:
Large explosions
Cityscapes
Foreground interest
A standard kit lens also works well. To learn more about lenses, wide angles and focal lengths click here
Fireworks Photography Tips for Better Results
When photographing fireworks, try to include foreground interest while leaving enough space for the fireworks to explode in the sky.
In this example, a fairground was included to add scale and atmosphere.
Plan Your Fireworks Photography Location
Speak to the event organiser beforehand to find out where the fireworks will burst.
Arrive early and set up well in advance — popular locations fill up fast!
Test shot without the fireworks
Take a Test Shot Before the Fireworks Begin
Test shot of night scene before fireworks display
Before the display starts, take a test exposure of the scene.
This allows you to:
Perfect your composition
Adjust exposure
Ensure space for fireworks in the frame
If adjustments are needed:
Too bright:
Reduce shutter speed to 10 seconds
Use a smaller aperture
Too dark:
Increase shutter speed to 30 seconds
Use a wider aperture
To Learn more about exposure in photographing click here
Firework Photography Examples
Wide angle shot of fireworks display over the fairground.
Southend fireworks display
These examples show how effective long exposure fireworks photography can be when combined with careful planning and composition.
Live shooting mode on the camera when photographing fireworks.
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