How to take Firework Pictures Quick Tips

by Bessie Young

Ironstone Vineyards 4th of July Celebration - Bessie Young Photography-Combined Gage.jpg

Can you believe it is already the 4th of July?! Time sure does fly by. I am sure you all want to be able to take some amazing pictures of the fireworks, your kids playing with sparklers, and just the festivities that the 4th of July brings.

How to Photograph Fireworks by Bessie Young Photography - Photography tips and tricks

Here are a few quick tips on how to take some great firework shots:

1. Scope out your location : This is key to a great shot.

2. Use a tripod : this will keep your camera stable and allow the images to not be blurry

3. Use a cable release or wireless remote : This will decrease the possibility of camera shake

4. Shoot the image in as high of quality as you can : I shoot in RAW

5. Turn off Auto focus and manually focus your lens to infinity: I set up when it is bright outside and find my best focus. Then, when it gets dark I know for certain that my image is going to be crisp sharp.

6. Turn your flash off.

7. Use manual mode on your camera.

Shutter Speed: Think about how you want the fireworks to look. Do you want them to be streaks in the sky, or do you want a burst of light? If you want streaks in the sky you need to set your shutter speed to 15 seconds or more. Bulb mode is optimal. You can use bulb mode and your shutter release cable. This will allow you to keep the shutter open as long as you would like. Be careful if you are trying to get multiple bursts as it is very easy to overexpose the image.
ISO : Shooting at a low ISO will keep for a clean shot. You really need to know your camera and at what ISO your camera will begin to get grain. I typically set mine to 400 or less.
Aperture : Keep your aperture between 8 and 16.
Hint: A good starting point is to set your settings at ISO 100, F 11, and 30 sec exposure. If the photos are too dim, keep the shutter open longer.

Ironstone Vineyards 4th of July Celebration - Bessie Young Photography-3.jpg

Ironstone Vineyards 4th of July Celebration - Bessie Young Photography-7 combined trees.jpg

8. Experiment : experiment with different settings but make sure to track your results. This way you know what works best.

Now go get out there and have fun. Happy 4th of July!!!

Bessie

P.S. wanna know what gear I used? Check it out here:

Kit Used:

Camera: Sony A7Rii: http://amzn.to/1taGpAu
Favorite Lens: Sony FE 24-70 F2.8 G Master: http://amzn.to/2n747NJ
Best Wide Angle: Sony 16-35mm lens: http://amzn.to/1UBjBDW
Vanguard Tripod: http://amzn.to/2aoI5ku

Filming:
LG G3 Smart Phone

Editing & Processing:
Bulk editing: Adobe Lightroom: http://amzn.to/1WB7Jnc
Fine tuning: Adobe Photoshop : http://amzn.to/1WB7YPh
Viva Video Pro for combining videos

Sunset Time Lapse | Sony A7Rii

Woodward Park, Fresno

By Bessie Young

“Everyone can identify with a fragrant garden, with beauty of sunset, with the quiet of nature, with a warm and cozy cottage. Thomas Kincad”

It seems that since I have gotten into night photography, or astro photography, lately around 7:30 in the evening I begin to feel ancy. I begin to think of all the great photos I could take, how I need to practice with my new camera before my backpacking trip this summer, and so on and so forth. Then around 7:45 I jump into action and run out the door before the mood rises or before the sun sets. This time I was in a rush to get to a spot in order to take a time lapse of the sunset. Now, in my video you will hear me talk about 'oh you really need to plan your trip, plan what you want to photograph' yadda, yadda, yadda. Well, easier said than done.... and do what I say not as I do hahaha. I really need to take my own advise.