How to Photograph Fireworks Like a Pro

A smartphone camera usually ends up being too automatic for fireworks, unable to adjust its exposure to accommodate both the brightness of the explosions and the darkness of the night sky behind. But if your phone has a pro mode that lets you set a slow shutter speed, you should try using it.

Better, use a third-party camera app such as Lightroom Photo & Video Editor (Android, iOS), which includes camera controls that let you dial in the shutter speed you want.

No matter what, you should turn the flash off, since you’re taking a photo of something that is far away from your phone.

Regardless of if you have a smartphone or a mirrorless camera or DSLR with image stabilization, a tripod is a must. Even the best stabilization won’t be able to handle the long exposures you’ll be using.

Shooting a fireworks display is a little oxymoronic: The show happens very quickly, but unlike fast-paced sports photography, your camera settings end up being what you’d use on slow-moving (or still) subjects. Using manual mode on your camera so you set shutter speed, ISO, and aperture is the way to go. Here are the basics:

• Use a slow shutter speed: Fireworks take time to reveal their full glory, and the best photos gather the whole explosion. That means a slow shutter speed. Newman recommends starting at ⅕ of a second and going up from there, often as long as 1 or 2 seconds.
• Choose a low ISO setting: Newman suggests ISO 400 or below, and says you should aim for ISO 200 or 100. Lower ISOs have lower noise, and given that the sky around your subject will be black (or near black), noise will show up more than it does in an average photo with a varied background. A lower ISO also encourages the camera to use a slow shutter speed that makes sense for the overall exposure.
• Try a high f-number: Normally your aperture setting depends on how much you want in focus. In the case of fireworks, you want everything in focus, so you want a high f-number. Setting your aperture to f/11, f/16, or more ensures that the bright highlights of the fireworks don’t look too bright and lose their color. If you notice that your shots don’t have the color you’re seeing in the fireworks, try a higher f-number, lower your ISO, or maybe a little of both.

When it comes to picking a lens, Newman said, “It really depends on where you’re standing and your distance from the fireworks.” She shoots with a full-frame camera and uses a 24—70mm lens, which means that you should be okay with the kit lens that comes with any mirrorless camera or DSLR. She also said that when in doubt you should bring an extra lens with you (one that covers a different focal range) so if you end up in an unexpected location, you’ll be able to make the most of it.

Newman suggests keeping video and time-lapse modes in mind, especially if you only have a smartphone. You may be able to pull a frame from a video if it makes a nice still photo.

Her last bit of advice: “Have fun when you’re shooting. Make friends with the people around you, and bring a friend.”

That friend can be a helpful barrier between you and people who approach your setup as you shoot, and they can also look after any extra equipment while your attention is turned toward taking the perfect picture.

This article was edited by Ben Keough and Erica Ogg.