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For 250 years, the Fourth of July and fireworks have become almost inseparable. From the first celebrations of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America has commemorated loudly and colorfully with fireworks.

It’s a day to celebrate our freedom and enjoy family and friends with music and cookouts before sitting back to enjoy a fireworks show. For photographers, it’s a once-a-year opportunity to create some amazing photos of a fleeting subject.

To capture successful images of fireworks, you will need to have a sturdy tripod and use long exposures. A cable or remote shutter release is also crucial. I always start by trying to find the best vantage point of the show before dark. I always consider what’s in the foreground. Including it can help give a sense of scale and location. Cityscapes or water can add an interesting extra element to your images.

As an example, during a recent fireworks shoot I used this equipment and settings:

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, EF 28-300 mm
ƒ3.5 5.6 L IS USM lens at 28 mm, ISO 100
ƒ-11 at 5 seconds
Gitzo tripod

Pro tips for photographing fireworks:

• Use a tripod to hold the camera completely still.
• Set your focus to manual and dial it in as the show starts.
• Choose a low ISO like 100 or 200 to decrease noise.
• Set your f-stop to 8 or 11 for good depth of field.
• Start with a shutter speed of at least 2-5 seconds.
• Try the bulb setting. The shutter will remain open until you release it.
• Use a remote shutter release to limit vibration.
• Start with a wide-angle lens.
• Experiment with different settings and focal lengths throughout the show.
• Wide angles will be best for the finale.
• A red flashlight or headlamp can help you navigate camera gear and settings in the dark.

– R. Conover