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1. Attach your camera to your tripod and hook up the camera’s remote release
(set the camera to the correct mode). If your digital camera has "Image
Stabilization" it is best to turn this off when using a tripod. The use of a tripod
is the only way you can get sharp fi reworks photos.

2. With an SLR camera don’t forget to set the focus properly. Use one of the
fi reworks bursts as a focus guide. It may not be at the infi nity position.
You may choose to use the manual focus mode on your cameras if available.

3. Set your camera to "Bulb" mode (often marked as "B") or if your camera
has "Picture" or "Best Photo" modes choose the icon with the fi reworks
symbol* on it. Not all compact cameras have "Bulb" mode so you may
need to use the "fl ash-off " mode which will use one of the cameras slower
shutter speeds. *Check camera manual

4. Your shutter speed should hold open for 2 to 30 seconds, so experiment with diff erent
lengths of time to capture the long trails of the fi reworks and not just the initial explosion.

5. Adjust your aperture setting by starting at F 8.0 and go smaller (F 16.0 and F22.0) as
this will increase your depth of focus. (This feature may or may not be available on your
camera. Refer to your camera’s instruction book.) You can also vary your Zoom setting
on the camera from the wide angle position with lots of foreground to the telephoto
position with only sky and buildings. Waterfront settings are also great as they will
show the refl ection of the fi reworks (best to use the wide-angle position for this).

6. Add context to the evening event by showing some of the buildings in your photographs
or add people. If you want to have a person in front of the fi reworks you can combine the
Flash while holding the shutter down. This is referred to as "Slow speed sync" or "Bulb
sync". This style of photography allows the fl ash to illuminate the foreground (maybe
your kids watching the fi reworks) and the longer Bulb exposure will expose the long
trails of the fi reworks in the background. Be creative and take lots of pictures. Make sure
you use a smaller aperture so you have lots of depth of focus as you will want
the foreground image of the people to be the sharpest.
The best tip for Fireworks photography is to experiment and take lots of pictures.
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