Shooting Fireworks on the Fourth of July: How To Take Photographs With a Phone Like a Pro

If you have tried photographing fireworks before, you know it's the most challenging to capture. But simple tips and tricks could still give you a hand at increasing your chances of capturing the perfect shot.

Celebrating the Fourth of July With Fireworks

For many centuries, fireworks have been part of cultural celebrations, especially in China. However, it did not take long before the Founding Fathers adopted the means as a way of showing patriotic pride for their newly independent nation.

July 4 of the year commemorates the unanimous adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress in the land of the U.S. in 1776.

The document announced the separation of colonies from Great Britain.

In that same year, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife, Abigail, expressing his ideas on how America's independence from England should be celebrated. This day, he wrote, should be commemorated with pomp and parade, shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations.

The next year, a July 4th firework show started in Philadelphia and ended with 13 rockets. Approximately five years later, the displays involved all kinds of fireworks presents, such as serpents, table rockets, sunflowers, wheels, fountains, and cherry trees.

Sales of consumer fireworks have more than tripled in the last twenty years, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA). Every year, APA estimates that more than 14,000 fireworks displays can light up American skies.

Statistics suggest that in 2000, U.S. consumers paid out only $407 million toward fireworks. This has increased to $2.3 billion by 2022. According to the APA, there would be another hike with a gain of sales of fireworks over $100 million this year.

Capturing Fireworks Display With a Smartphone

When fireworks light up the sky, they are mesmerizing; still, it is rather difficult to immortalize such a moment using a smartphone.

Just make sure you prepare your smartphone before heading to the place where they will be showing the fireworks. It should be mounted on a tripod or stably on any surface to reduce shake and avoid blurry pictures.

Make sure you go to the place early enough to secure a perfect spot that also gives you a clear view of the fireworks.

Tap and hold the screen during a bright flash in the case of fireworks photography to keep lighting and exposure locked in. Equally, it prevents the camera from refocusing on smoke or any other environmental factor.

But the camera flash must certainly be off to lessen the unwanted reflections of the light so that you are concentrated using the light display. You can even click on "Live mode" for photos if your phone has such a feature. Doing so helps you capture a three-second video clip, and it can help you choose the best frame for your photograph.

From the accessibility settings on your device, locate the menu option "Motion" and disable "dim flashing lights." This setting in your smartphone may cause the camera not to reach the total brightness of the fireworks display.

Be sure to put on "night mode" for better performance in low light conditions and vivid colors. Another feature to explore would be the optical zoom for closing shots or shooting wider scenes in "landscape mode." Use time-lapse or slow motion for creative effects.

Do not be afraid to play around with the different shooting modes and techniques. Just be patient and take as many shots as you can to dramatically increase your chances of capturing the perfect shot.