Tips and tricks for photographing fireworks

Photographing fireworks is challenging. Below, we offer some tips from National Geographic and other sources for capturing images of nighttime fireworks shows. Also, we list some vantage points throughout the Puget Sound region where you might be able to snap a great photo. Weather permitting, of course (always a question mark in the lovely and temperate Pacific Northwest).

Setting up your camera for photographing fireworks is fairly complicated. Our instructions for fireworks photography assume that you have a digital SLR and good knowledge of the operation of your camera, as well as a tripod and remote shutter release. Here’s a simple summary of how to take photos of fireworks.

How to take photos of fireworks

First of all, turn off your flash and set your camera to manual mode.

Then, set the ISO (“film speed” or light sensitivity), F-stop (aperture), and shutter speed to the following settings: ISO 100*, f/11, and shutter speed 1/2 second. If the photos are too dark at these settings, vary the shutter speed (from 2 to 10 seconds) while keeping the ISO and aperture the same.

We checked a few photography sites for their fireworks photography recommendations. ISO 100 is the agreed speed by every site we checked. However, the F-stop can range from f/5.6 to f/16, with more than one photographer stating f/8 is their favorite. Finally, shutter speed can be up to 30 seconds, or longer if you want to capture the entire “trail” of a fireworks display.

Rather than fiddling with shutter speed, another option is to use B mode or Bulb mode, which allows you to press and hold the shutter button when the firework launches and keep the shutter open until the display eclipses, and then release it. So rather than set some particular length such as 2 or 10 or 30 seconds, you manually work the shutter for each shot, and keep it open as long as needed. Of course, you will need both a tripod and remote shutter release for this operation. But you pretty much need both anyway for the relatively long shutter speeds required.

*ISO 100 note: Although ISO refers to “film speed”, even in today’s digital camera the ISO still has the same function as in film cameras, namely light sensitivity. The ISO setting determines how sensitive the image sensor is to light. The lower the ISO number, the slower the sensor speed. Although ISO 100 is typically used for photographs outside in sunny conditions, it’s a good setting for taking photos of fireworks at night, accompanied by adequate shutter speeds.

Seafair fireworks. Photo by Carole Cancler.

Tips and tricks for photographing fireworks

Avoid the big crowds and try one of the suggested fireworks photography vantage points in the Seattle area listed below. You want to get to a location at least one hour before sunset, or around 8:30 or 9:00 PM. However, the more popular the location, the earlier you will need to arrive. So, consider packing a picnic and going very early and making an evening of it. Listed below are tips for getting set up to photograph fireworks.

• Try to position yourself to the west of a fireworks show and face east while you photograph the fireworks. If the western sky is still fairly light, it will be easier to get good photos against the darker eastern horizon.
• While it’s still light, check your camera settings and take a few photos. Check that your camera is level and review framing of images–what’s your line of site to where the fireworks will be, what’s in the background, and decide whether horizontal or vertical photos produce the best composition based on your vantage point.
• If you are far away or have a high vantage point, a horizontal image that takes in the surrounding landscape is usually the better shot. If you are close to the action, then vertical shots of the fireworks from launch to high point in the sky is typically the best orientation.

Find more tips for photographing fireworks in this National Geographic photo gallery showing you tips and tricks for shooting fireworks. They offer several more ideas for taking nighttime photos that capture the magic and splendor of major fireworks shows. The National Geographic Society is one of the largest nonprofit scientific and educational institutions in the world. They have been inspiring people to care about the planet since 1888. The Society’s interests include geography, archaeology, natural science, and the promotion of environmental and historical conservation.

Fireworks over Lake Union in Seattle via DepositPhotos.com

Vantage points for photographing Seattle fireworks

The following public parks are generally good spots for viewing and photographing the fireworks show over Lake Union in Seattle, listed roughly in order going from north to south.

Magnolia fireworks vantage points

• Ella Bailey Park, 2601 W. Smith Street, Seattle 98199

Queen Anne HIll fireworks vantage points

• Kerry Park (Franklin Place), 211 W Highland Dr., Seattle, WA 98119
• Kinnear Park, Kinnear Park, 899 W Olympic Pl., Seattle, WA 98119

Capitol Hill fireworks vantage points

• Thomas Street Mini Park, 306 Bellevue Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98102
• Volunteer Park, 1247 15th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98112

Downtown Seattle fireworks vantage points

• Victor Steinbrueck Park, north of Pike Place Market in Seattle

South Seattle fireworks vantage points

• Dr. Jose Rizal Park (and Bridge), 1007 12th Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98144
• Washington State Ferry. Ride the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, leaving either terminal at 9:45pm for the 70-minute round-trip ferry ride. Seattle-Bainbridge ferry 2023 fares (round trip): Walk-on or passenger round-trip fare is $9.45 (adults 19-64), Seniors (65+) $4.70, under 18 no charge. If you take your car, the round-trip fare for vehicle + driver is $33.60.

West Seattle fireworks vantage points

• Alki Trail along Harbor Ave. SW.
• Belvedere Park, 3600 SW Admiral Wy., Seattle, WA 98126
• Don Armeni Boat Ramp & Viewpoint, 1222 Harbor Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
• Hamilton Viewpoint Park, 1120 California Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
• Jack Block Park, TERMINAL 5, 2130 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98126
• Seacrest Park Viewpoint, 1660 Harbor Ave SW, Seattle 98116
• Twelfth Avenue South Viewpoint, 2821 12th Ave S, Seattle, WA 98144

Vantage points for photographing fireworks on Puget Sound

The following public parks are good spots for viewing and photographing fireworks shows on Puget Sound, west of Seattle, listed roughly in order going from north to south.

• Kinnear Park, Kinnear Park, 899 W Olympic Pl., Seattle, WA 98119
• Victor Steinbrueck Park, north of Pike Place Market in Seattle
• Washington State Ferry. Ride the ferry from Seattle to Bainbridge Island, leaving either terminal at 9:45pm for the 70-minute round-trip ferry ride. Seattle-Bainbridge ferry 2023 fares (round trip): Walk-on or passenger round-trip fare is $9.45 (adults 19-64), Seniors (65+) $4.70, under 18 no charge. If you take your car, the round-trip fare for vehicle + driver is $33.60.
• Dr. Jose Rizal Park (and Bridge), 1007 12th Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98144
• Alki Trail along Alki Ave. SW.
• Alki Beach Park, 1702 Alki Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98116
• Charles Richey Sr Viewpoint, 3521 Beach Dr. SW, Seattle, WA 98116

You might also like: Where to see fireworks in the Seattle-Tacoma metro area (greaterseattleonthecheap.com)

Seattle fireworks from Alki park 2015 image via DepositPhotos.com

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