Home Forums Gear Photography My Annual Fireworks Post!

It is that time of year again when we either go blow stuff up or sit in a crowd and watch as they blow stuff up all in celebration of our independence from the English. Either way you do it, it is fun to photograph them. It is also one of the simplest things to shot. All you need is your camera, a lens (preferably a zoom), a tripod and a cable release. Oh and a dark sky and fireworks.

The camera settings are easy. I use Manual Mode or Bulb, depending on which camera brand you are shooting and something around f8. I simply frame the scene before it gets too dark. This is why I love a zoom lens like the Tamron 16-300mm Di-II VC PZD Macro lens or the Tamron 28-300mm Di VC PZD lens. The ability to zoom to eliminate distractions is perfect. Focus set to somewhere near infinity, check after the first fireworks goes off to adjust if needed, then when the show starts use the remote to fire the camera off. Hold the shutter open for either one burst or several depending on the result you want, then release the shutter button. Check your LCD for the proper framing and desired blur. Repeat as often as you would like to do.

It is great to find an area ahead of time that you can put something in the foreground and hopefully a little light hits it to add to your image. This past year I was with family and we had set up in a cemetery. Not the best foreground but there was a flag that I did my best to get into the frame a few times. Either way, get out there and have fun.

If you don’t have the proper gear, you can still give Mark at Camera Land a call and hopefully get it before the 4th of July arrives. Camera Land has been posting some great deals on camera kits as well recently. If you have been debating on upgrading your camera, now could be the time to take advantage of some of the new sensor technology and low noise capabilities. Give Mark a call and make sure you let him know you are a member of the Campfire for the best pricing.

All of the following images were shot with the Tamron 16-300mm Di-II VC PZD lens on a Canon 7D.