8 Helpful Tips for Taking Firework Photos Using Smartphone

Capturing the dazzling display of fireworks on your phone can be a fun and rewarding experience. Many people wonder how to take pictures of fireworks with a phone, given the bright lights and rapid movements involved. While it can be challenging, with the right techniques and settings, your smartphone can capture impressive fireworks photos.

Is it hard to take fireworks photos using your phone?

Capturing fireworks with a smartphone can be challenging due to several factors. The bright, intense lights and rapid movements of fireworks often make it hard to achieve clear and sharp images. Smartphones usually have smaller lenses and sensors compared to dedicated cameras, which limits their ability to handle the long exposure times needed to capture fireworks effectively.

The automatic settings on many smartphones are designed for general use and may not perform well in low-light conditions. These settings can lead to overexposed or blurry photos when trying to photograph bright, fast-moving fireworks. The small size of smartphone cameras also means they can struggle with handling the large amount of light and detail in a fireworks display.

Moreover, smartphone cameras often lack the manual controls needed to adjust settings like shutter speed and ISO, which are crucial for capturing high-quality fireworks photos. Despite these challenges, smartphones can still deliver impressive results with some adjustments and techniques.

How should you shoot fireworks photos?

Here are eight tips to help you take stunning fireworks photos with your phone:

1. Turn Off HDR

High Dynamic Range (HDR) helps capture details in both the bright and dark parts of a photo. However, it can cause problems with moving subjects like fireworks. HDR combines multiple exposures, which can make fireworks look blurry. To get the best results, turn off HDR when taking fireworks photos. This will keep your images sharp and clear.

2. Disable the flash

Your phone’s flash is designed for close-up shots and can be detrimental to fireworks photography. The flash won’t light up distant fireworks and might cause overexposure or blur. To turn off the flash on your iPhone, open the Camera app, tap the lightning bolt icon in the top corner, and set it to “Off.” On Android phones, the process is similar; look for the flash icon and turn it off.

3. Use Burst Mode or Live Photos

To capture dynamic fireworks shots, use Burst Mode or Live Photos. Burst Mode captures several photos in rapid succession, improving your odds of getting a great shot. To use Burst Mode on an iPhone, press and hold the shutter button. For Live Photos, which record a brief video along with a still image, tap the Live Photo icon in the Camera app. On Android, check if your camera app has a similar burst mode feature or use a third-party app that offers this option.

4. Enable focus lock

Focus Lock helps keep the fireworks in sharp focus. To enable Focus Lock on an iPhone, tap and hold the screen where the fireworks are to focus, and you should see “AE/AF LOCK” appear. On Android phones, look for similar focus lock options in your camera settings or use manual focus if available.

5. Use a tripod or stabilize your phone

A tripod provides stability for long exposure shots. If you don’t have a tripod, stabilize your phone by leaning it against a stable surface or using makeshift supports. For those without a tripod, you can also use the self-timer function or a wired headset to avoid shaking when pressing the shutter button.

6. Adjust camera settings

For those who want to get the best fireworks photos on an iPhone or Android, adjusting camera settings is crucial. If your phone has a manual or pro mode, use it to adjust the shutter speed to a longer duration, usually between one and eight seconds, to capture the fireworks’ light trails. Set the ISO to its lowest setting, such as 50 or 100, to prevent overexposure and minimize noise.

7. Experiment with manual focus and white balance

Manual focus allows you to set the focus to infinity, which is ideal for distant fireworks. If your phone camera has manual focus, adjust it to ensure the fireworks are sharp. For white balance, set it to daylight or a color temperature of 5000K to 5500K for the best color accuracy. Many smartphones offer white balance adjustments in manual or pro mode.

8. Practice your timing

Capturing the right moment is key to a great fireworks photo. Aim to take the photo just as the firework is ascending and about to explode. You can practice timing by watching fireworks videos and trying to snap photos at the right moments. This practice will help you get a feel for the timing required to capture the perfect shot.

Is it still better to take fireworks photos with a camera?

Dedicated cameras often have advantages over smartphones for fireworks photography. They come with larger sensors and high-quality lenses, which can capture more detail and handle bright, dynamic scenes better. Cameras also offer extensive manual controls, allowing adjustments to shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings. These features are essential for achieving the best results in fireworks photography, as they provide greater flexibility to manage exposure and focus.

In contrast, while smartphones have advanced significantly in camera technology, they usually have smaller sensors and lenses. This limits their ability to capture fine details and handle intense lighting conditions as effectively as dedicated cameras. Additionally, manual control options on smartphones are often limited or absent, which can make it challenging to get the perfect shot.

Despite these limitations, smartphones offer excellent portability and convenience. With the right techniques and settings, they can still capture impressive fireworks photos. For those who don’t have access to a dedicated camera or prefer the ease of using a smartphone, these devices can deliver good results with some effort and creativity.

You can still take good fireworks photos using a smartphone

Capturing beautiful fireworks photos with your phone is possible with the right approach. To take good pictures of fireworks with a phone, turn off HDR, disable the flash, use burst mode or Live Photos, and adjust your camera settings. Even without a tripod, you can stabilize your phone, use manual focus, and set the white balance to improve your shots. While dedicated cameras might give better results, smartphones are practical and effective for fireworks photography. Using these tips, you’ll be able to take impressive photos with your iPhone or Android. Enjoy experimenting with your photography, whether you’re capturing fireworks or sparkler images.