Introduction

How to prepare

Before you head off to the show, you're going to need a few things:

1. Bring memory for the memories. Remember to keep extra memory cards handy, and leave yourself enough memory for the big finale (you'll be clicking away like crazy). And don't forget a backup set of batteries, just in case.

2. Shed some light. When taking photos at night (or under any dark conditions) it's wise to carry a small flashlight (to find those fresh batteries, for example).

• 3. Bring a tripod. For fireworks photos, it's a good idea to use a tripod to keep your camera steady. It's the perfect way to steady your camera on almost any object.

Stake out a good position

Make sure you arrive early. You don't want to be running around trying to find that choice spot once everyone is already there. Avoid setting up near power lines, tree branches, and other obstructions that can ruin your fireworks shot.

Also, while bridges are one of the greatest places for watching fireworks, they're far from ideal for taking slow exposures. Passing vehicles can cause enough vibration to blur your photos.

Turn off your flash

Before you begin shooting, there's just one more thing to know: Don't use your flash when photographing fireworks. A flash freezes the moment, but you want your shots to take a little longer (to capture all those dramatic cascading light trails). The Night Scenery shooting mode on your camera is designed just for these kinds of low-light, no-flash situations. For cameras with manual controls, here a couple more options:

• 1. Adjust shutter speed
  If you have a tripod, set your shutter speed to several seconds (3 to 5). This is long enough for a beautiful fireworks shot.
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• 2. Adjust ISO
  If you don't have a tripod, increasing your ISO (your camera's sensitivity to light) allows for shorter exposures without blur. The trade off is that you add more grain or "noise" to your photos.

Shooting at dusk

All right, let's get snapping. Sometimes a fireworks display will start before it's completely dark outside. This is the perfect opportunity to catch the vibrant colors of sunset, along with shots of the colorful bursts of light from the fireworks.

With the lingering twilight, you're also likely to catch a lot of things that you wouldn't normally see in a night shot (like the capitol building or boats on the river). Most cameras have a Sunset shooting mode that will help.

Capturing multiple bursts

It's spectacular when you can get more than one or two bursting fireworks into a single picture. If using the Night Scenery shooting mode or lowering the ISO doesn't give you enough time for the shot you want, wait for the show's finale.

There will be more light and more simultaneous bursts. As long as you keep your camera still, either by setting it on a stationary object or using a tripod, you can achieve great results.

Panoramas that pop

A panorama is a series of photos digitally stitched together to form one wide image. You can use this wide format and include surrounding scenery, even without a flash. The bright lights from a fireworks display will illuminate a cityscape, a body of water, or other scenic landscape nicely.

It will take some patience to get this shot right. Photograph one burst and wait for those fireworks to dissapate. Move your frame and capture the next explosion, and so on. In the end you'll have a photo that appears to have several bursts happening at once—in all their panoramic glory!

Photos in succession

Multiple photos over time show the progression of fireworks being launched and then exploding. Avoid shutter lag (the time between pressing the trigger and the camera taking the picture) by pressing the trigger halfway down.

When the right moment comes, press all the way down to instantly capture the desired image. You can also set your camera to the Landscape shooting mode. This fixes the focus for distant objects so your camera won't have to focus each time.

Photographing people

Tips and tricks

Try these techniques to consistently take outstanding Fourth of July photos.

1. Hold still. Any camera motion will blur a long exposure, and it's almost impossible to hold your camera steady enough in your hands. Instead, brace your camera against a railing or other stationary object, or use a tripod. Tripods come in many different sizes-some are even small enough to fit into a purse or camera bag. The Gorillapod is a flexible tripod that can wrap around almost an object. Your camera doesn't even need to be upright.

2.Use a timer. Even when your camera is steady, the pressure of your finger on the trigger can cause enough movement to blur your photo. If this becomes a problem for you, consider using your camera's timer. That way, you don't even have to touch the camera while it photographs an image.