Around the 4th of July every year I like to post information on how to shoot fireworks. This year is no exception to that. BUT, most of the fireworks shows have been cancelled due to COVID-19. So, if you want to photograph fireworks this year you are going to have to search for a place to do it.

I enjoy taking fireworks photos at Walt Disney World because they have wonderful shows and great viewing locations. I like to have something in the foreground when I shoot fireworks to give the image a “place” so that you can see where it was. Walt Disney World is great for this as most of the shows occur over the major landmarks at the parks.

When shooting fireworks you will need a few things: camera, steady tripod, and a cable/remote release at the minimum. Once you get your camera set up on the tripod and you set it and aimed at where you expect the fireworks to appear in the sky you have to do some general setup. I set the camera to “Bulb” mode, this is a mode where the shutter will stay open as long as you hold the cable/remote release button down. I usually set the camera to ISO 100 and an aperture of f/11 as a starting point.

Once the show starts you can hold the shutter open while the bursts are going into the sky. I usually time it so that I get them leaving the ground and close the shutter at the end of the trail coming down out of the sky. Generally my shutter speed is around 6 to 10 seconds.

I have some of my favorite photos of fireworks taken at Walt Disney World below. What do you think about these?

Enjoy!