This 4th of July take some awesome firework and sparkler photos!! With these easy tips you can have these fun and festive photos turn out awesome!!

1. NO flash!!

Turn off that flash (look for the lightning bolt setting on your DSLR). Let the fireworks and sparklers be the only light-source in your photos. This helps the camera focus on the Fireworks only and not surrounding scene.

2. Find the fireworks setting on your camera or smartphone AND use a tripod if available

Most cameras, from smartphones to DSLR’s, have built in “modes” that help you take better photo. Even your cell phone camera has options. Check them out. If you find the “fireworks” setting on your camera you’ll be on the right track to taking better sparkler pictures.

The key to photographing fireworks is long exposures which means, this will make your shutter speed {that’s the “click” you hear when you take a photo} very SLOW. You will need to keep the camera very still while releasing the shutter.

Don’t have a tripod? Improvise and put your camera on top of a stable, hard surface such as the top of your cooler or on your vehicle. Remember, you are trying to capture the trails and the movement of the fireworks not the movement of the camera.

3. Experiment with (M) manual mode

You want that big plume of color, right? Well, for a camera to capture the entire plume, the shutter needs to be open for at least a second or more. This can be achieved in different ways according to your camera.

DSLR – Switch your camera to shutter priority mode using the large knob on top of your camera. On a Canon camera this will be “Av”, on Nikon, it will be “S”. You can then change the shutter speed by using the click wheel by the shutter button. Change the shutter speed to anywhere from 1-5 seconds depending on your needs. OR play around in (M) You will need to adjust your ISO (lets more light in or out), Aperture (focus), Shutter(remember long shutter speed)

Point and Shoot – Once again change to shutter priority if you have the option. If not, see if your camera has an option for long shutter speeds.

Cell phone – You will have to use an app for this unless your camera allows you to simulate shutter speed control. “Slow Shutter” is an app for iPhones that works well. Simply search for apps that allow you to change the shutter speed in your app store to find something that works.

4. Stop stressing out and have fun!

Firework and sparkler pictures are meant to be fun… but in the process of getting a really great photo, you’ll probably take a bunch of really bad ones! No worries – that’s why God made the delete button, right?

5. Keep Practicing!

Now start shooting! Keep trying different timing, different angles and different shutter speeds to get what you want. With sparklers have someone write a word or draw a heart.

Remember that you will have to do a lot of trial and error to get the shots you want. However, as long as you stabilize your camera, open the shutter up for a few seconds, and have everything framed up, you’ll find success if you stick with it.

Enjoy your 4th of July Holiday. And if you take any fireworks photos, please share with me on Social Media using #jhpfireworks