Looking to get a great shot of the fireworks to show everyone on social media how you celebrate your independence on Saturday? Dale Roe has some tips
I’m not a professional photographer, but I have managed to get some decent shots — even with my phone’s camera (though a dedicated camera is best) — at the Dell Diamond’s Friday night home-game fireworks by following some simple advice:
- Shoot early in the display to avoid excessive smoke.
- Don't use the zoom. Electronic zoom on phone cameras really just crops your image and will magnify imperfections.
- Turn off the flash. It can slow down your camera and adds nothing to fireworks shots.
- Ditto for HDR, a feature that shoots a series of photos and combines the best parts. Shut it off for these photos.
- If your phone's camera has focus and exposure lock, use it on your first shots. When you find one that looks good, leave it alone.
- Take a lot of pictures to increase your odds of getting a few good ones.
- Hold the phone as still as possible by steadying it against a pole, tree, railing or other stationary object.
- If you're viewing the activity as a challenge, smart phone apps such as Slow Shutter (iOS) or Camera FV-5 (Android) can be useful in mimicking longer exposures. Other apps such as GorillaCam Pro allow you to take a specific number of photos at specific intervals (say, 500 — one every two seconds) so you can just set your camera somewhere, aim it and forget it (but don't actually forget it; losing a phone is a drag).
Maybe the best advice is to forget about shooting fireworks pictures. Are you really ever going to look at them again? Put the camera in your pocket and enjoy yourself.
Do you have dos and don'ts from your fireworks photos? Share your tips and favorite photos by tweeting @Austin360 or emailing readerphotos@statesman.com!
Read more of Dale’s tips for celebrating Independence Day in Austin in Saturday’s Austin360.
