Digital Camera Tips: Shooting Fireworks Pictures

Fireworks displays are certainly stunning and colorful. Capturing those moments with a digital camera is a challenge, though. Often times, you'll end up with shaky, blurry messes that hardly resemble what actually happened. Here are some digital Camera photography tips for shooting fireworks pictures.

Use a tripod
I know, I know, I hate carrying those things around too. But when it comes to fireworks, you need them! They make a world of difference getting rid of digital camera shake, especially when using a long exposure time.

Also, if you have a some sort of shutter remote, use it. Anything you have that will keep the digital camera still will improve your photos. If you don't already have one, get some tips on "Choosing the Right Tripod for Your Digital Camera."

Find a spot with your digital camera
Finding an area where to set up is another major factor in how your get pictures with digital camera will turn out. Try to arrive early and scout the area out. If possible, see if you can find out where the fireworks will be launched. This information will give you idea of where you need to be.

While looking for a good spot with your digital camera, keep in mind to avoid obstructions and weather, especially wind. Remember that wind will blow the smoke somewhere, so try to keep it out of your photos.

It's all in the timing
Exposure/shutter speed of digital camera is something you need to stay on top of when shooting fireworks. Usually, 1 to 4 seconds is good depending on what you're trying to do with the digital camera photo. Anything shorter and you may not get the full effect or the full bloom of the fireworks and anything longer you may just end up with a washed out image.

You can keep your shutter digital camera speeds down by compensating on the ISO. Try to stay in ISO 50 or ISO 100. If you go higher, you'll start to introduce film noise and grain into photographs.

Stay focused
Setting your digital camera focus to infinity or landscape mode is also advisable if you don't want to take the time to manually focus your pictures. If your digital camera is equipped, put the setting to fireworks mode.

See the light
Bring a small flashlight. This will save you from losing your temper while trying to fiddle with your digital camera in the dark.

Don't get flashed
Turn your digital camera flash off. If you're digital camera won't allow you to turn it off, use some tape to cover it.

Memory for memories
Bring your digital camera memory cards! You don't want to run out of memory before the grand finale. While you're grabbing the extra memory cards, you may want to grab digital camera extra batteries.

Quality is crucial
Use your highest quality setting on your digital camera.

With these digital camera tips, you won't just walk away from Independence Day with memories, but with memory cards packed with high-quality images.