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The 4th of July is coming up and you are probably going to grab your camera to photograph all of the action. Here are some great tips for getting the best pictures of fireworks possible.
Settings and Lenses
Settings are important when photographing bright bursts of light in a dark setting. If you have an SLR you will want a low aperture between f/8 and f/16. With digital cameras, set your camera to ISO mode. A setting of 200 ISO is ideal.
Focus is tricky in the dark, so use manual focus set to infinity or use landscape mode on a digital camera. A wide angle lens can also be your best friend when shooting fireworks.
Tripod and Cable Release
The biggest tip when it comes to photographing fireworks is using a tripod. A tripod helps you avoid camera shake when your camera is set to low light ISO settings.
Another way to lessen camera shake is to use a cable shutter release. These are a shutter button on a long cable so that you can take a photo without touching the camera.
Position
Position your tripod where you will be able to shoot the most action. It is best to be at least a quarter of a mile away from big city and public firework displays so that you can capture the large mortar bursts. This position also helps you get away from artificial light sources that can ruin an otherwise good photo.
Be aware of which direction the wind is blowing. Firework bursts will get caught in the wind and will move away from their origin. If you position yourself facing the wind, you will have the fireworks coming toward you, giving you more time for a great picture.
Take as many photos as you can to insure that you have at least a few great shots using these tips.