The Best Digital Camera Settings for Capturing Fireworks

14 February 2025

There’s something undeniably magical about watching fireworks light up the night sky. Those vibrant, colorful bursts of energy create a spectacle that you simply want to bottle up and preserve forever. But here's the kicker: capturing those jaw-dropping fireworks in all their glory on camera? Yeah, that’s a whole different ball game. If you’ve ever tried snapping a picture of fireworks only to end up with a blurry mess or a washed-out sky, you’re not alone.

Getting the perfect shot of fireworks isn’t just about pointing your camera upward and pressing the shutter button. It’s about nailing the right camera settings. But don’t worry—I'm here to walk you through it. Let’s dive into the best digital camera settings for capturing fireworks like a pro.

Why Fireworks Are Tricky to Capture

Before we jump into the specific settings, let’s address the elephant in the room: why are fireworks so difficult to photograph in the first place?

Fireworks are one of those photography challenges that combine everything tricky about low-light photography with the unpredictability of motion. You’ve got bright, fast-moving subjects against a pitch-black sky. The burst of light is brief, and if your timing is off by a second, you’re left with a dud photo. If you leave your shutter open too long, you risk overexposing the brightness. Too short? You may miss the explosion altogether.

But here’s the good news: with the right settings, you can capture those breathtaking moments in stunning clarity. Let’s talk about how to make that happen.

Essential Gear for Fireworks Photography

Before diving into the specific settings on your camera, it’s important to make sure you have the right tools. Sure, your camera is the star of the show, but a few extra pieces of gear can make a world of difference.

1. Tripod

A good, sturdy tripod is a must. Fireworks photography requires you to keep your camera completely still during long exposures. Any shake or movement, and you’ll end up with a blurry mess. If you don’t have a tripod, even the most advanced settings won’t save you.

2. Remote Shutter Release (or Self-Timer)

You’ll also want to use a remote shutter release or your camera’s self-timer to avoid shaking the camera when you press the shutter button. Even the slightest movement can ruin your shot.

3. Wide-Angle Lens

A wide-angle lens (something around 24-35mm) works best for capturing fireworks. It gives you the flexibility to capture both the fireworks and some of the surrounding landscape, which adds context to your image.

Now that you’ve got your gear checklist, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of camera settings.

Best Camera Settings for Fireworks Photography

1. Use Manual Mode

When it comes to photographing fireworks, you don’t want your camera making any decisions for you. Switch to full manual mode (M) so that you have complete control over your exposure settings—shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

2. Shutter Speed: 2-4 Seconds

This is where the magic happens. The key to capturing fireworks is using a long exposure. A shutter speed of around 2 to 4 seconds is perfect for capturing the entire firework explosion from start to finish. If your shutter is open for too long, you risk overexposing the bright light trails, turning them into a washed-out blob. If it’s too short, you’ll only capture part of the burst.

Try starting with a 2-second exposure and adjust depending on the look you're going for. If you want to capture multiple bursts in one shot, you can increase your exposure time to 5 or 6 seconds.

3. Aperture: f/8 to f/16

Fireworks are extremely bright, so you don’t need a wide-open aperture. In fact, a smaller aperture (higher f-stop) is ideal for keeping the burst of light sharp. An aperture between f/8 and f/16 works well for most situations. This will ensure that both the fireworks and any foreground elements are sharp and in focus.

4. ISO: 100 or 200

Keep your ISO low—around 100 or 200. A higher ISO will introduce noise, which is the last thing you want when photographing fireworks. Since fireworks are already bright, a low ISO will help maintain the clarity of your image.

5. Focus: Manual Focus at Infinity

Autofocus can struggle in low-light conditions, especially when it comes to fireworks. Switch your lens to manual focus and set it to infinity (∞). This ensures that everything far away (like fireworks) will be in focus. You can also focus on a distant object or landmark before the fireworks start, then leave your focus locked in place.

6. White Balance: Auto or Daylight

Fireworks are colorful enough on their own, so your white balance setting doesn’t need to be too precise. Auto white balance works fine, but if you want to play it safe, set your white balance to Daylight. This will give you natural-looking colors without any weird color casts.

7. Shoot in RAW

Always shoot in RAW when photographing fireworks. RAW files give you more flexibility when editing, especially when it comes to recovering highlights or adjusting colors. JPEGs compress the image data, which limits your editing potential.

8. Turn Off Flash

This might sound obvious, but don’t use your flash. Fireworks are far too distant for your flash to have any effect, and all it will do is light up the objects close to you—like people’s heads or trees—making your photo look messy.

9. Long Exposure Noise Reduction

If your camera has a Long Exposure Noise Reduction feature, consider turning it on. This setting helps reduce the noise that can appear in long-exposure images. Keep in mind, though, that it may slightly increase the time it takes for your camera to process the image.

Timing Is Everything

Now that you’ve got your settings dialed in, let’s talk about timing. Fireworks displays are unpredictable, but there are a few tricks you can use to improve your chances of capturing the perfect moment.

1. Anticipate the Burst

Watch a few fireworks go off before you start shooting. Pay attention to the timing between the launch and the explosion. Once you get a feel for it, press the shutter button just before you expect the firework to explode. This will ensure your camera captures the entire burst from start to finish.

2. Capture Multiple Bursts

If you want to capture multiple fireworks in one shot, use a longer shutter speed (around 5-6 seconds). This will allow you to capture several bursts in a single frame. Just be careful not to overdo it—too many bursts can clutter your image.

Additional Tips for Capturing Fireworks

1. Arrive Early and Scout Your Location

If you want to get the best shots, arrive early and scout out a good location. Look for a spot with an unobstructed view of the sky and minimal light pollution. If possible, find a spot where you can include some interesting foreground elements, like a city skyline, water, or trees. This will add depth and context to your photos.

2. Experiment with Different Compositions

Don’t just center every firework in the middle of your frame. Try experimenting with different compositions—like placing the fireworks off to one side or including people or buildings in the foreground. A well-placed reflection in a body of water can also create a stunning effect.

3. Stay Patient and Keep Shooting

Fireworks shows typically last for several minutes, so don’t worry if you don’t get the perfect shot right away. Stay patient, keep shooting, and adjust your settings as needed. The more you practice, the better your shots will become.

4. Post-Processing

Even with the best settings, you may need to do a little post-processing to bring out the best in your fireworks photos. Adjust the exposure, contrast, and saturation to make the colors pop. If you shot in RAW, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to tweak your image.

Wrapping It Up

Photographing fireworks might seem tricky at first, but with the right settings and a bit of patience, you can capture stunning, professional-looking shots. Remember to use a tripod, keep your shutter speed slow, and shoot in manual mode. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll be able to capture those breathtaking moments that light up the night sky.

So next time you’re at a fireworks display, grab your camera, set it up, and start shooting. You’ll be amazed at how much better your photos turn out with just a few simple adjustments.