It is that time of year again – everyone is getting ready for 4th of July celebrations, and a summer of fireworks! For many, viewing fireworks is a summer tradition. With a few helpful tips, you can be on your way to having a great time photographing fireworks this summer season. Continue reading below for Alan’s Guide to Fireworks Photography and where to see fireworks in Bergen county this year!

Our latest webinar on Fireworks Photography was recorded and is available to watch. Please stop in or call with any questions.

NJ.com also published a list of 200 celebrations all around New Jersey – here

Alan’s Guide: How to Shoot Fireworks

1. Use the bulb setting available in manual (M), see tip 17 for the finale’!
2. Use a low ISO 100-200
3. No long exposure noise reduction, high ISO NR can stay on, but it’s not needed
4. F8-F11
5. Use auto white balance
6. No mirror lock up
7. Use infinity focus, switch to manual focus, tape the lens focus ring @ infinity. Some lenses are not marked. Test focus in manual at farthest subject your lens can resolve sharply.
8. O D lighting or auto lighting optimizer, these control contrast and brightness.
9. Vivid color mode, leave saturation at normal, landscape (picture style) for Canon uses.
10. IS-VR off, since you will be on a tripod.
11. Metering: use matrix or evaluative
12. Note: you will not have to meter anything for shooting (F11, ISO 100, bulb = done)
13. Tripod, short zoom lens 18-70mm, 24-70mm, 18-105mm and a cable release (no need to lock)
14. Tripod will possibly need to be repositioned (tilted etc) once the show starts. I’ll shoot vertical more often than horizontal.
15. Vary zoom length for composition
16. Fire the shutter (with a cable release) hold rather than lock. Hold for multiple bursts 2-8 or maybe more. Check the monitor, exposures should average 2-4 or 4-7 seconds, and can even be as long as 8-15 seconds. Disregard the histogram.
17. Finale’ shots need to happen quickly in manual mode, burst or continuous 1 second, ½ second, ¼ second, 1/8 second, 1/10 second, 1/25 second, 1/30 second. These shorts can be blown out if taken for longer time periods (such as with bulb). Still maintain the F number 8-11.
18. JPEGS or Raw? Raw is not necessary unless you feel a need to recover highlights. Shoot JPEG or raw together, or JPEG alone. Use a fast card for recovery of write speed times. Raw will offer a bit more color information too.
19. Bring extra cards, batteries, and a mini flashlight. The show may be 30 minutes to an hour long. Be careful about inserting memory cards in the dark.
20. Add an element of scenic interest in your picture. Bridges, skylines, crowds, etc

Where to See Fireworks in Bergen County:

Friday, July 1

Ramsey Independence Day Fireworks and Celebration at Finch Park
Lyndhurst Fourth of July Celebration & Fireworks Display
Ridgefield Independence Day Celebration

Saturday, July 2nd

Rutherford Fireworks at Memorial Field New Milford Fireworks at LeBarbera Field
Maywood Fireworks at Memorial Park (Parade on Monday July 4th) Fair Lawn Fireworks at Memorial Park (Rain date July 9th)

Sunday, July 3rd

Paramus Fireworks Cliff Gennarelli-Paramus Sports-Plex (Parade on Monday July 4th)
Fireworks at State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford
Oradell Fireworks at Memorial Field (Parade and Beer Garden on Monday July 4th)

Monday, July 4th

Ridgewood Fireworks, Parade and Flag Raising Ceremony
River Edge July 4th Parade and Family Fair Glen Rock 4th of July Parade
Fireworks at State Fair Meadowlands in East Rutherford
Teaneck 4th of July Parade