Capturing fireworks is a fun photography experience and experiment! With the advancements in smartphone technology, you don’t need a high-end DSLR to take amazing fireworks shots. (More on that later if you’re like me and want to have it both ways.) If you’re a photography enthusiast armed with an iPhone, this guide is just for you. From understanding camera settings to choosing the best modes, I’ve got you covered. Let’s get started with the setup.
Use a Tripod for Best Fireworks Photo Results
First of all, if you don’t have a tripod, don’t let this advice stop you from shooting! Just hold your iPhone as still as possible while you take the images! (All of these photos were taken in 2019 with an iPhone XS. Think of what you could shoot with a newer iPhone on a tripod!!! 😉)
But if you do have a tripod and are willing to bring it, you’re likely to see better results. Stability is crucial for capturing sharp, clear photos of movement in low-light situations. Hand-held shots can result in blurry images due to the long exposure times needed for night photography.
Using a tripod ensures you get crisp and clear shots. It also frees up your hands to adjust settings or try different shooting modes without worrying about camera shake.
Turn Off Your Flash
Why It’s Important
The flash on your iPhone can ruin your fireworks photos. Fireworks are naturally bright so you don’t need it! If you use your flash, it will light the people and things within ten feet of you and expose for them. You want the area in front of you to be dark, like these trees, so the fireworks are the subject of your picture.
How to Turn Off the Flash
To turn off the flash, simply open your camera app and tap the lightning bolt icon until it shows a diagonal line through it. This will ensure that the flash is disabled.
Set “Volume Up for Burst” in Settings
Using Burst Mode for fireworks
Burst mode is a fantastic feature that lets you capture multiple images quickly. This is particularly useful for fireworks, which are fast-moving and dynamic. Using burst mode helps you capture a sequence of fireworks, allowing you to choose the best shot from a series of images. I was able to capture the moment when all three of these shells exploded, but only because I was using Burst Mode!
How to Activate Burst Mode
When you’re shooting in low light, you’ll want to avoid gestures that are likely to create camera shake. The best way to do this on newer iPhones is to set your iPhone to take bursts when you hold down on the Volume Up button.
To set this, go into Settings>Camera>Use Volume Up for Burst and turn it on. (You can leave this on all the time. I do.)
Now, to take a burst, hold down the Volume Up button while in the camera app. As long as you hold the button down, your iPhone will take a rapid series of photos, increasing your chances of capturing the perfect shot. The iPhone will show you what it thinks is the best one. When you look back at your photos, you can choose a different one or even choose multiple versions.
Be Ready to Start Shooting When the Fireworks Begin to Avoid Smoky Photos
Fireworks generate smoke as they go off. The best time to capture them is right at the beginning of the display when the sky is still clear. By the time the “grand finale” has begun, the sky will be full of smoke.
This photo is definitely smoky and not nearly as good as the earlier ones I shot. After this, I switched to shooting video.
Arrive early to set up your equipment and test your settings. That way, you can be ready to start shooting as soon as the fireworks begin.
Now it’s time to talk about the shooting!
Try These Modes
Bursts
Using burst mode, you can capture a series of images in quick succession. This is ideal for fireworks, as each burst can produce unique patterns and colors. (Quick tip: If you shoot in Burst Mode, Night Mode will not be active, even if you have it turned on!)
Single Shots with Night Mode Turned On
On newer iPhones, you can turn on Night Mode, which enhances low-light photography by choosing a slower shutter speed. You turn it on and off by tapping on the Night Mode icon in the Camera app. (Tip: The icon only appears in low-light situations.) With it turned on, your iPhone will choose a slower shutter speed, allowing for a longer individual fireworks display to be recorded. (Tip: Being able to set a slow shutter speed is one of the advantages of using a DSLR for fireworks shows.)
I love the way this photo captures the beginning of the red shell’s explosion. With a newer iPhone, I would be able to capture more of the shell by using Night Mode.
Single Shots with Live Mode Turned On
Live mode captures a short video along with your photo. This can create dynamic images that come alive when you press on them, making your fireworks photos even more captivating. But there’s more to Live Mode! When you view your photo later, you can create a Loop, Bounce or Long Exposure. Try them all for fun. You can even choose a different frame if you’re not happy with the iPhone’s choice.
Shoot Video of Fireworks
While you’re shooting, why not capture some video? It will bring back vivid memories of the show, complete with the crackles and booms. It’s a great mode for shooting the grand finale.
Conclusion
Capturing fireworks with your iPhone is both fun and rewarding. By starting early, using a tripod, and turning off the flash, you can create stunning images that capture the magic. Don’t forget to experiment with different modes like Burst, Night Mode, Live Mode, and even Video to get the best results. Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the experience! Happy shooting!
Now It’s Your Turn to Shoot Fireworks:
To learn my secret to shooting fireworks photos with your DSLR or Mirrorless camera, tap here: https://www.carolinemaryan.com/shooting-photos-of-fireworks/
Curious about creating long exposures with your iPhone? Tap here to read about it: https://www.carolinemaryan.com/shoot-waterfalls-on-your-iphone/
If you’d like to learn how to use your DSLR or mirrorless camera, be sure to check out my online class: https://www.carolinemaryan.com/camera-mechanics-workshops-info/
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