Photography Tips for Memorial Day Fireworks Shows!

For all you American Steemians-- Steemicans? -- one of our nation's proudest traditions, Memorial Day, is upon us. Typically at many locales, this translates into a massive fireworks show. Of course, we can all enjoy the moment with friends and family. However, if you're like me, you want to take a little bit of that experience home with you to share forever!

Basic Photography Tips That Go a Long Way!

Let's assume, though, that you are a photography newbie. Let's further assume that as much as you'd like to take great night photos, you've never done it and are intimidated by the process. Well, worry no further -- @bullishmoney has got your back!

First and foremost -- aside from the camera itself -- you must have a tripod. Night photography of the kind you're aiming for is simply impossible without a stable surface.

Second, familiarize yourself with your camera's functions. For fireworks, you'll want to adjust the shutter speed, which is typically denoted with an "S" on the function dial-knob of a typical DSLR camera. Also, you're going to want to know how to put the camera into manual-focus mode, as opposed to auto-focus.

Third, you'll want to arrive at your destination early to set-up shop and beat the crowd for the best vantage point. Also, try to find a spot that is dark -- otherwise, nearby ambient light can mess up your shot.

Setting up the Shot

If the area where the fireworks will erupt is next to a lit object, focus on that lit object in auto-focus mode. When you have a crisp image in your camera's viewfinder, switch to manual mode.

For example, in this fireworks shot, I knew that the flares would erupt over the airport control tower. I focused on the tower in AF mode, then switched to manual. The switch is critical because in many cameras, the optics will "dance" in the dark due to the light-challenged environment.

If no lit object is nearby the fireworks show, then you may have to wait until the first flares erupt. In AF mode, focus on the brightly lit sky, then switch to manual.

Once you've got the focus down, you'll have to experiment with the shutter speed. I play around in a range between 10 seconds to 20 seconds. To capture the pristine beauty of a single firework, go for a shorter exposure. To get a kaleidoscope effect, a longer exposure is effective. Remember, though, that shorter exposures will suck in less light to the camera, and may require additional post-production work. Too much time, and you have a massive explosion of light, and additional post-production work!

Here's an example of a 10-second exposure:

Here's a 20-second exposure (looks like a "laser show" due to the exposure time):

Before you Take the Shot...!

Do make sure that you are using either a remote control shutter, or you have the camera on a three-second delay. That's because in shutter-delayed (night) photography, any movement to the camera will blur the image. You obviously don't want that, so get a remote or use the internal delay.

Finally, you'll want to time the fireworks. Nothing is more frustrating than waiting for the camera to process a long-exposure shot while the climax of the show is commencing. For this reason, you may want to take a photography partner with you to cover exposure gaps.

Above all, enjoy yourself! Night photography is a powerful art form that is actually a lot easier than you think -- all it takes is the right equipment and a little prep work.