How to take an excellent firework

Every year, there will be at least some fireworks show organised in your area. You will be amazed by the beauty of firework created that sometimes you wish to take a few pictures for keepsake. However, you feel frustrated due to the pictures not coming the way you intended to be. This article will provide some techniques and tips on how to take an excellent firework.

Setting to be used:
1. Mount your camera to the tripod.
2. Set your camera to Manual.
3. Set your shutter speed to "Bulb" mode. "Bulb" mode means that you can keep the shutter open as long as you depress the shutton button.
4. Set your aperture to f/11 and ISO to be as low as possible.
5. Wait for the firework to come out in your frame and press shutter button. It will be good if you have a cable release that is attached to the camera so that you do not need to depress the button from the camera to minimise camera shake.

Some essential things to take note when you are taking firework:
1. Duration of shutter speed - Different fireworks have different patterns. Some will give you a flower pattern almost instantaneously while some will give you a trails of light that will take a longer time to disappear. Control the duration of timing to suit different firework pattern.

2. It is always good to take more during the initial period of firework show - The initial period will generate less smoke so the shot will be clean. Towards the end of the firework show, there will be a massive firing of fireworks which generates a lot of smoke. Unless there is a constant wind blowing the smoke away, it will spoil the picture.

3. Stable platform to put the camera on - Keep in mind that you need a stable platform because you will need a long exposure to take a firework. To prevent image from blurring, especially smaller cameras as they have a high chance of handshake, it will be good if you bring along your tripod to stabilise the camera. If you forgot to bring one, you can use a concrete wall to provide a stable platform for the camera.

This is an example of spoilt picture as a result of too much firework.

If you take note of the tips and techniques given, you will at least get some good shots of fireworks. Remember timing is very essential in taking firework due to the different patterns of the firework.