How to Beautifully Capture Fireworks: Photography and Photoshop Editing | Knowledge #65
Cover image by gs_pilot
If you have a camera, you surely want to capture the beauty of summer fireworks! This guide introduces easy ways to photograph fireworks and edit them using . Use these methods to create beautiful summer memories!
Image by なお
Basic Settings for Fireworks Photography
For basic camera settings when photographing fireworks, adjusting "ISO", "shutter speed", and "aperture (f-stop)" is crucial.
Set the ISO to a low value, between 100 and 200, to minimize noise. An aperture range of f/8 to f/16 is ideal for maintaining adequate depth.
Set the shutter speed between 2 and 6 seconds to capture the trails of fireworks with long exposure.
Use these basic settings as a reference, and adjust according to the brightness and distance from the fireworks!
Image by AYUMOON
Using Tripods and Remote Shutters
In fireworks photography, "blur" is your biggest enemy. It's important to effectively use a "tripod" and "remote shutter" for stable shooting.
Choosing and Setting Up a Tripod
It's recommended to set up a tripod for shooting! Anticipate where the fireworks will appear, firmly fix the tripod, and keep it level. If you're considering purchasing a new tripod, focus on "weight (portability)" and "height (ease of adjusting shooting position)".
Using a Remote Shutter
A remote shutter allows you to take pictures without touching the camera, effectively preventing blur. It's essential for long exposures. If you don't have a remote shutter, you can also use the camera's self-timer. Many cameras have a 2-second or 10-second self-timer feature, which can be used to minimize blur when taking pictures.
Image by decomp3104
Editing Tips in Photoshop
After shooting, the next step is editing in . Follow these steps to enhance your fireworks photos.
1. Developing RAW Files
Import the captured RAW files into . RAW files offer more editing flexibility than JPEGs, allowing for detailed adjustments. Start by using the "Camera Raw filter" to make basic adjustments to exposure, contrast, highlights, and shadows. Lower the highlights and raise the shadows to accentuate the colors and shapes of the fireworks.
2. Noise Reduction and Sharpness
Long exposures or high ISO settings can introduce noise into images. Use 's "Reduce Noise" filter to clean up the image. Next, adjust "sharpness" to clarify the details of the fireworks, making their outlines more distinct.
3. Color Adjustment and Finishing
Finally, perform color adjustments. Use "Hue/Saturation" and "Curves" to emphasize the colors of the fireworks and balance the overall image. Additionally, use "Levels" to fine-tune brightness and contrast. If necessary, darken the background or highlight specific colors to make the fireworks stand out even more.
By following these steps, you can easily capture and edit beautiful fireworks photos. Give it a try this summer!
