The key to fireworks is the foreground. The context helps give a sense of place.

When I started shooting the July of 4th fireworks this year in Roswell, GA, the location was slightly different than years past. I wasn’t sure exactly where they would be in the sky. I had a general idea, but I had a few problems when they started.

As the sun set, all the street lights in the parking lot we were in started to come on. When I first started shooting, this is what I was getting. The street light was creatine a flair and wasn’t very interesting. The street lights were distracting.

Using a tree in the parking lot to help with the street light also blocked some of the lower flying fireworks.

I picked up the tripod, went closer to the shops, and pointed the camera toward the high school where the fireworks were being launched. It gave me the best photos of the fireworks and making the street lights no longer a problem, but you only see a couple in the lower left.

I determined that the best place was to shoot the fireworks wide with a 14-24mm lens. This let me show all the community that turned out for the fireworks and helped to tell the story.

Earlier in the fireworks performance, I shot this with my Sigma 24-105mm ƒ/4 at 58mm. Fireworks look great, but this could be anywhere in the world. The wider shot helped me to show you what it looked like where I was in Roswell, Georgia.

Carry a couple of different lenses so you can change your approach if necessary. Be willing to move to get a different perspective. Most of all, take lots of photos. Only a few will be the keepers that you want.

Technical

ISO:                        100
Aperture:             ƒ/11
Shutter Speed:  5 seconds to 14 seconds [using Bulb]
White Balance: Fluorescent to match the Street Lights

I used a tripod and a cable release. I would start taking photos and stop after 2 to 4 fireworks go off.