Fireworks displays can induce a lot of feelings in people as they are not only beautiful and amazing to observe but they also are many times used to commemorate momentous occasions.
One of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge you'll face in doing this is that you generally need to aim your camera before the fireworks that you'll be photographing goes off - anticipation is key. Here are a few points on getting your framing right.
Photo by Stuck in Customs Scope out the location early - Planning is important with fireworks and getting to the location early in order to get a good, unobstructed position is important. Think about what is in the foreground and background of your shots and make sure you won't have people's heads bobbing up into your shots (also consider what impact you'll have on others around you also).
Be aware of where the fireworks will be launched from and into what are of the sky the will be shot to. If possible, ask those who are preparing for the show for information on what the event will consist of. Also consider what focal lengths you might want to use and select suitable lenses at this time as opposed to in the middle of the show.
Watch for the horizons. An important factor when lining up fireworks shots is whether your camera is even or straight in its framing. This is particularly essential if you're going to shooting with a wide focal length and will get other background elements in your shots such as a cityscape. Keeping horizons straight is something we covered previously on this site and is important in fireworks shots also. Make sure your camera is level on your tripod from the time you set up.
There are two main ways of framing shots in all types of photography, vertically (portrait) or horizontally (landscape), so do you shoot vertical of horizontal? You can choose either one. Both can work in fireworks photography but I find a vertical perspective is better, due to there being a lot of vertical motion in fireworks. Horizontal shots can work if your goal is more of a landscape shot with a wider focal length or if you want to include multiple bursts of fireworks in the one shot.
Remember your framing - I find that when I photograph fireworks that I spend less time looking in my viewfinder and more looking at the sky directly. As a result it's important to remember what framing you have and to watch that segment of the sky. Doing this will also help you to anticipate the right time for a shot as you'll see the light trails of unexploded rockets shooting into the sky.
One of the most difficult parts of photographing fireworks is working out where to aim your camera. The challenge you'll face in doing this is that you generally need to aim your camera before the fireworks that you'll be photographing goes off - anticipation is key. Here are a few points on getting your framing right.
Photo by Stuck in Customs Scope out the location early - Planning is important with fireworks and getting to the location early in order to get a good, unobstructed position is important. Think about what is in the foreground and background of your shots and make sure you won't have people's heads bobbing up into your shots (also consider what impact you'll have on others around you also).
Be aware of where the fireworks will be launched from and into what are of the sky the will be shot to. If possible, ask those who are preparing for the show for information on what the event will consist of. Also consider what focal lengths you might want to use and select suitable lenses at this time as opposed to in the middle of the show.
Watch for the horizons. An important factor when lining up fireworks shots is whether your camera is even or straight in its framing. This is particularly essential if you're going to shooting with a wide focal length and will get other background elements in your shots such as a cityscape. Keeping horizons straight is something we covered previously on this site and is important in fireworks shots also. Make sure your camera is level on your tripod from the time you set up.
There are two main ways of framing shots in all types of photography, vertically (portrait) or horizontally (landscape), so do you shoot vertical of horizontal? You can choose either one. Both can work in fireworks photography but I find a vertical perspective is better, due to there being a lot of vertical motion in fireworks. Horizontal shots can work if your goal is more of a landscape shot with a wider focal length or if you want to include multiple bursts of fireworks in the one shot.
Remember your framing - I find that when I photograph fireworks that I spend less time looking in my viewfinder and more looking at the sky directly. As a result it's important to remember what framing you have and to watch that segment of the sky. Doing this will also help you to anticipate the right time for a shot as you'll see the light trails of unexploded rockets shooting into the sky.
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