Making the Perfect Fireworks Image

Use the Bulb setting.

You can also manually keep the shutter open while the fireworks are visible. Just set the shutter speed to BULB, hold the shutter down when the rocket bursts, and release the shutter when the light trails start to fade.

These tips (and awesome images) were taken directly from Alan’s articles on his blog about Photographing Fireworks. To learn more you can head over to peachpit and download a copy of Alan Hess’s Photographing Fireworks: The Right Gear, Location, and Techniques for Capturing Beautiful Images on your tablet or computer.

Unfortunately I have missed every opportunity to see/photograph fireworks since reading Alan’s recent Fuel series book… but tonight I’ll finally be heading out to try some of these tips out. You should as well; removing yourself from a comfort zone will undoubtedly bring challenges but the process of getting through any specific challenge is always a learning/growing opportunity.

Whether you decide to post-up with some sticks (tripod) or try your luck at handheld with higher-iso, we want to see your images! Use the tagline #k1fireworks when posting your fireworks images to instagram, twitter, facebook, or even here on the blog for us to be amazed and repost your best images.