Photograph: Jung-Pang Wu/Getty Images
Fireworks are a touchy subject right now. For weeks, city dwellers have complained about the near-constant eruptions of mysterious origin going off in their neighborhoods. Then there’s the fact that we’re in the middle of a pandemic that has prompted many cities to outright cancel their annual Fourth of July celebrations. The cities that are still going forward with displays have had to change their plans to hold them in ways that discourage crowds from forming. Some have planned to just shoot the fireworks higher so people can see them from farther away. Other places, like New York, have split their normal gigantic blast fest into several shorter, smaller shows that will be launched from undisclosed locations. That way, if you stay put like you should, you’ll be able to catch one show or another from your backyard, fire escape, or stoop.
Still, fireworks shows have an undeniable appeal, especially for people who want to snap some cool pics. First thing’s first: If you do go out to hunt down a good view of the fireworks, avoid any crowds, wear a mask, and maintain your distance from other people. Just because the pretty lights in the sky go boom doesn’t mean we get to be any less vigilant about preventing the spread of a deadly virus. Next, if you’re going to take some photos, you’ll want to do it right.
A thrilling fireworks display can confuse the automated settings on your smartphone. The explosions are fast, dynamic, and bright, and they disappear just as quickly as they appear. But by standing in a good spot and tweaking a few settings on your camera app, you can take advantage of some battle-tested methods for capturing dramatic photos of those explosions in the sky. The latest smartphones even have some special settings for shooting at night. And if your phone lacks those features, there are a few apps that will help you nab the best shots.
Scout Your Location
Before you snap one photo, learn the lay of the land. Knowing ahead of time where the fireworks are going to explode will help you gauge the best angles for your photos. You obviously want a clear shot of the sky, but look for a spot that lets you also capture a nice wide-angle view of the skyline or a nearby landmark. This helps with the composition, but it also visually place-tags your photos and makes them more interesting. If your local fireworks display is over a river or a body of water, find a spot that lets you incorporate the water into the shot; the reflections will add a sense of drama and scale to your shots. Of course, this advice might be moot if your city is launching fireworks from a mysterious location. If that’s the case, just try to find an outpost that offers a wide, 360-degree view of your surroundings and be ready to pivot.
There’s another thing you won’t be able to predict ahead of time: the wind. If it’s blowing toward you from the direction of the fireworks, you may end up with increasingly murky photos as the show goes on due to the smoke. If that’s the