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Because of the slow shutter speed required to pick up light at night, a tripod will help you get the best, blur-free fireworks photos. If you don’t have a tripod handy, find another way to keep your camera steady. Try using a flat surface to place the camera. Or, when using the fireworks scene mode, brace the camera against your body as best you can to keep it as still as possible. However, this method may not produce good results in manual mode when setting the shutter speed to greater than one second.
Bracing the camera: Hold the camera still using both hands. Compose your shot and then press the shutter button half way down to lock exposure and focus. Inhale, then exhale about halfway and hold. While holding you breath, press the shutter button down completely. Then exhale completely.
To take great shots of fireworks, you’ve got to be versed on a few things. With these short tips, learn how to select the right Scene Mode in your camera, how to adjust your camera’s manual functions, or how to steady yourself for nighttime photos and create light trail effects.
Setting the scene for fireworks
Summer is known for great fireworks displays. Olympus is known for great camera scene modes. Coincidence? No way. Your first step in taking great pictures of fireworks is to simply select the Fireworks Scene Mode*. The camera will then slow the shutter speed value and set the focusing point to infinity (∞).
If your camera doesn’t have scene modes or is able to support a high-level of manual control, set the camera to manual mode (M) and adjust the shutter speed and aperture. Setting the aperture to F8 and a shutter speed of 3 to 4 seconds should give good results. Set the ISO sensitivity to 100. And don't forget to change to MF (manual focus) and set the focusing point to infinity (∞).
More picture-taking tips for fireworks- If possible, try to shoot the fireworks so that they are downwind from your position. If you are downwind of the fireworks, you may lose visibility because of the smoke.
- It’s a good idea to have a penlight handy in case you need to replace the memory card or battery in the dark.
- Don’t forget about Movie mode. If your camera supports it, take a movie of the fireworks to capture the exciting finale in its entirety.
- Try using your camera’s self timer to eliminate camera shake when manually pressing the shutter button.
Experiment with your camera’s Night Scene+Portrait mode to capture amazing photos of light trails. This Scene Mode will fire a flash to illuminate your subject – but it will also keep the shutter open long enough to capture a light trail.
Bonus tip for SP, SZ, XZ, and C-Series owners
Some Olympus cameras include special flash modes that can give you even more control over this effect. For more information about these flash modes, view this page.
*If your camera does not have Fireworks Scene Mode or Night Scene+Portrait, your best alternative is to try Night Mode while using a tripod.
Have an E-System camera? Check out these advanced tips for shooting fireworks photos.
Because of the slow shutter speed required to pick up light at night, a tripod will help you get the best, blur-free fireworks photos. If you don’t have a tripod handy, find another way to keep your camera steady. Try using a flat surface to place the camera. Or, when using the fireworks scene mode, brace the camera against your body as best you can to keep it as still as possible. However, this method may not produce good results in manual mode when setting the shutter speed to greater than one second.
Bracing the camera: Hold the camera still using both hands. Compose your shot and then press the shutter button half way down to lock exposure and focus. Inhale, then exhale about halfway and hold. While holding you breath, press the shutter button down completely. Then exhale completely.
