Tripod Rod
Fireworks Pictures – Photographing Fireworks in Your Backyard
This article details how to take pictures of the fireworks that take place in your backyard or your neighbor’s. Let us point out right now, that in virtually every paragraph of this article, we will repeat cautions about the need for extreme safety around fireworks, and the need for adults to be responsible for all backyard firework displays.
The fireworks that are launched by professionals — who, by the way, are called pyrotechnicians — are classified as Display Fireworks, and are sometimes known as “Class B” fireworks. Chances are you’ll never come too close to Display Fireworks, but you may well encounter Consumer Fireworks (also known as “Class C” fireworks). These are the fireworks you can purchase at roadside stands in many parts of the country.
Consumer Fireworks Are Readily Available
According to records compiled by the American Pyrotechnics Association, only 4 states (Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York) completely ban consumer fireworks. Of the other 46, 6 allow only sparklers or novelty items (Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, and Vermont). Bear in mind that within each state, local counties or cities may have more restrictive laws. We’re not sure of the precise definitions of “novelties” or “safe and sane” fireworks. But we do know that no fireworks are “safe” unless they’re used “sanely.” We’re certainly not advocating the use of fireworks that are not legal in your area.
Note: We also must point out that large explosive fireworks — so-called cherry bombs, M-80s and the like — have been outlawed by Federal Law for over thirty years. These are not fireworks. They are explosives and should not be used by individuals under any circumstances.
So, unless you’re in one of the four states that completely ban consumer fireworks, and if you are going to enjoy a backyard fireworks show this 4th of July, and as long as the show is conducted by safety-conscious adults — you can take several different types of cool fireworks pictures.
Let’s look at each.
Sparkler Art
Even the most restrictive states allow sparklers. These are usually thin metal rods coated with a combination of fuel, an oxidizer, and powdered metal — usually iron, steel, or aluminum — that creates the sparks, and a binder to hold all this stuff onto the rod. Sparklers produce a continuously burning trail of bright yellow or colored sparks. Since the burn time of a sparkler may be 30 seconds or more, this gives us the opportunity to do what photographers call “painting with light.” This makes for some very cool fireworks pictures.
Painting with light is usually done with a flashlight or some other movable light source. In that case, unless it’s pointed at the camera, the light source itself isn’t usually visible; it is only used to illuminate the subject. With sparklers, the light source becomes part of the subject matter as well.
Before we get to our “How To” tips, let us interject a safety note — sparklers, while they are widely available, are among the leading causes of fireworks injuries. Perhaps that is in part because they are so widely available, that they lead the list. Typically, the danger to avoid is burns from a sparkler while it is sparkling, or from the super hot metal rod that remains after the sparkler has burned out. As Colin Bradley, the author of pyrouniverse so eloquently puts it: “I don’t get why… anyone would hand their toddler a 1000-degree rod of burning hot metal in the first place. Think about it… Would you let your kid play with a stove? A clothes iron? A blowtorch? Of course not. As with any other consumer product, if someone uses it THE WRONG WAY, they’ll get hurt.”
Fireworks Pictures
Here are some photography tips for taking pictures of sparklers.
The camera was mounted on a tripod to keep it steady during a long exposure, and auto focus was turned off. The child is asked to stay in one place and the photographer focuses on the child before the sparkler is lit. An adult lights the sparkler, and kids, doing what they do best, start to experiment.
If the child just moves the sparkler around in front of his/her face, as in the photograph on the right, the result is not too interesting. We see the trails of the burning sparkler, but the child’s face has been obliterated.
With a little direction, the child sweeps her arm to create an arc that fills more of the frame. The child is watching the sparkler, so while the sparkler illuminates her face, it is blurred because she moved her head. With more experimentation, you can create a wide variety of effects. For example, you can write your name, or another word using the sparkler as a pen. However, this requires some thought because if you just spell out your name, it will appear backwards to the camera.
How to overcome this? The hard way is to write your name in mirror form. The easier trick is to turn your back to the camera and write your name the regular way, but if you do that, make sure to hold the sparkler high over your head, so that your body does not block any of the letters.
As with all photographs of this sort, the key is experimentation and taking several photographs to see which ones work out.
Next add a second sparkler and ask the subject to twirl both. These pictures can be made using auto exposure. You can fine-tune the exposures and use manual settings if you prefer. As we’ve discussed, to make these fireworks pictures you need a tripod and someone to handle the sparkler.
For another great photo, the person that we see outlined by the sparkler is standing still. So they appear to be in sharp focus. The sparkler is being held by a third person who is standing behind the subject and who carefully outlines the torso. This was very precisely executed: the assistant moving the sparkler can’t be seen at all. The illumination was made in a single pass, starting with the sparkler close to the ground, moving up to outline the figure and then back down the other leg to the ground. There was probably some additional burn time left on the sparker so the assistant held the sparkler close to the ground until it burned out. That would explain the very bright area we see between the subject’s legs. During this entire period, the subject held their pose.
Again, safety is very important here. That’s why the assistant stands behind the subject and keeps the burning sparkler well away from the subject’s body. Remember, safety when taking fireworks pictures is paramount.
Photographs of Light Showers
Other types of consumer fireworks, such as those that make small pops, like bottle rockets, or slender backyard Roman Candles will probably not make interesting-looking photographs. But the type of fountain display that is fired on the ground can provide some excellent opportunities for making very interesting pictures.
Once again, these photographs can be taken using automatic exposure with the camera mounted on a tripod. Keep at least 8 to 10 feet away from the shower and use your zoom to fill the frame with the colorful eruptions.
If you like, you can use your camera’s pop-up flash to toss a little light on the scene.
Firework photography is interesting to look at on its own, but they can also be used with the addition of type for party invitations, or combined with other images to make photo illustrations.
Once you collect some interesting looking images, what you can create is limited only by your imagination.
Enjoy the Fourth of July, and take some beautiful fireworks pictures. Have a safe and sane holiday.
And, let us close as we began, with safety uppermost. To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips:
Always read and follow label directions
Always have an adult present
Only buy from reliable fireworks sellers
Be sure to have water handy
Never experiment or attempt to make your own fireworks
Light only one at a time
Never re-ignite malfunctioning fireworks
Never give fireworks to small children
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place
Dispose of fireworks properly
Never throw fireworks at another person
Never carry fireworks in your pocket
Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers
Have a safe and happy Fourth of July!
About the Author
Chuck DeLaney has been a professional photographer for over 30 years. Since 1998 he has been the director of the New York Institute of Photography, America’s oldest and largest photography school. DeLaney has taught photography classes in colleges, community programs and institutional settings. In addition to teaching, he has written two books about photography and written hundreds of magazine and Web articles also.
|
|
PARKER TRIPOD/ROD REST CUP 3/4″ BLOCK FITS MOST BRANDS $7.74 |
|
|
Antique Lightning rod tripod Scrap Copper or Not Braided Copper Wire Barn Find $9.99 |
|
|
Tripod Multi-function Mounting Plate for Rod support DSLR Rig Cage $10.90 |
|
|
DOWLINGS ADJUSTABLE LEG TRIPOD ROD REST BANKSTICK CARP $11.73 |
|
|
PARKER BUZZ/BUZZER BAR-FOR ALL PARKER TRIPODS/ROD RESTS $11.73 |
|
|
Vintage Small Tripod Base Laboratory Rod Stands — Cast Iron — 1/4-20 Thread $15.00 |
|
|
Monton Sea / Beach Tripod Rod rest Fishing tackle $18.75 |
|
|
Vintage Medium Tripod Base Laboratory Rod Stands — Cast Iron — 3/8-16 Thread $20.00 |
|
|
Tripod Mount 1/4 & 3/8″ Adapter Cheese Base Plate For DSLR Rail Rod System Rig $22.79 |
|
|
4-6ft PARKER TELESCOPIC SEA FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST RRP£39.99 $23.44 |
|
|
CST,Crain Leveling Rod Holder For Tripod Most Rods For Survey (Single Clamp) $24.99 |
|
|
Tripod Mount 1/4 & 3/8″ Adapter Cheese Base Plate For 15mm Rail Rod System Rig $24.99 |
|
|
PARKER 6′/6ft SHORE/BEACH FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST DH+DC $25.00 |
|
|
Leica 5/8″ 667236 GHT36 Base Telescopic Rod Tripod $25.00 |
|
|
Vintage Large Tripod Base Laboratory Rod Stands — Cast Iron — 3/8-16 Thread $25.00 |
|
|
DSLR Rig Tripod Mounting Accessory Cheese Plate Rail Block For 15mm Rod Clamp $26.59 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Plate Railblock fr 15mm Rod clamp support DSLR Rig cage $27.10 |
|
|
DSLR Rig Tripod Mount Plate Rail Block Rod Clamp For 15mm Rod Clamp Support 5D2 $28.49 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Cheese Plate W/15mm Rod Adaptor For DSLR Mattebox Follow Focus $28.69 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Plate for Rod support/DSLR Rig Cage $29.80 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Plate Railblock fr 15mm Rod clamp support DSLR Rig cage $29.90 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Plate Railblock Rod Clamp fr Rail System Rod Support DSLR Rig $29.99 |
|
|
CST,Crain Leveling Rod Holder For Tripod Fits Most Rods For Survey (Dual Clamp) $29.99 |
|
|
New Weston Free Style Tripod Dual Fishing Rod Holder Stand 49-0103-W $29.99 |
|
|
COOLLCD Tripod Mounting Plate Railblock fr 15mm Rod clamp support DSLR Rig cage $29.99 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Cheese Plate Fr 15mm Rod Support Rail DSLR Mattebox Follow Focus $29.99 |
|
|
Tripod Mount Plate Railblock Rod Clamp Block fr Rail System Rod Support DSLR Rig $29.99 |
|
|
Tripod Mount Plate Railblock Rod Clamp fr 15mm Rod Clamp Support DSLR Rig Cage $29.99 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Plate fr DSLR Shoulder Support Rig Follow Focus w/15mm Rod Block $30.00 |
|
|
Vintage Jumbo Tripod Base Laboratory Rod Stands — Cast Iron — 1/2-13 Thread $30.00 |
|
|
Tripod Mount Plate Railblock Rod Clamp fr 15mm Rod Clamp Support DSLR Rig Cage $32.60 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Plate fr DSLR Shoulder Support Rig Follow Focus w/15mm Rod Block $32.80 |
|
|
PARKER 6′ MATCH BEACH SHORE FISHING TRIPOD ROD REST NEW $32.82 |
|
|
Tripod Mounting Plate railblock for 15mm Rod clamp support DSLR Rig cag $35.00 |
|
|
Camera Camcorder mount platform support for 15mm rods rails tripod support rig $43.00 |
|
|
PARKER 4-8ft/4-8′ TELESCOPIC MATCH/BEACH/SHORE/ROCK FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST $45.33 |
|
|
PARKER 4-8ft/4-8′ TELESCOPIC MATCH/BEACH/SHORE/ROCK FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST $45.33 |
|
|
PARKER 4-8ft/4-8′ TELESCOPIC MATCH/BEACH/SHORE/ROCK FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST $45.33 |
|
|
PARKER 4-8ft/4-8′ TELESCOPIC MATCH/BEACH/SHORE/ROCK FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST $46.89 |
|
|
1/4″ 3/8″ Tripod BasePlate Mount Plate Rod Clamp fr Support DSLR Rig Rail System $47.80 |
|
|
Tripod Mount Cheese Plate Railblock Rod Clamp fr DSLR Rig Cage Rail System Light $47.99 |
|
|
pro Tripod Mounting accessory Cheese Plate railblock for 15mm Rod clamp DSLR Rig $48.00 |
|
|
Tripod BasePlate Mount Rail Block Rod Clamp fr DSLR Rig Rail System Follow Focus $49.99 |
|
|
PARKER 4-8ft/4-8′ TELESCOPIC MATCH/BEACH/SHORE/ROCK FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST $50.02 |
|
|
PARKER 4-8ft/4-8′ TELESCOPIC MATCH/BEACH/SHORE/ROCK FISHING TRIPOD/ROD REST $51.58 |
|
|
Tripod BasePlate Mount Rail Block Rod Clamp fr DSLR Rig Rail System Follow Focus $54.90 |
|
|
Tripod BasePlate Mount Rail Block Rod Clamp fr DSLR Rig Rail System Follow Focus $54.90 |
|
|
Tripod BasePlate Mount Rod Support Plate fr DSLR Rig Rail System Follow Focus $54.90 |
|
|
Tripod BasePlate Mount Plate Rod Support fr DSLR Rig Rail System Follow Focus $54.90 |
|
|
Camera Mounting w/ tripod Plate railblock for 15mm Rod clamp DSLR Rig rail $55.00 |
|
|
DSLR Tripod Baseplate Plate Mount For Follow Focus 15mm Rods Rail Support System $55.99 |
|
|
CST 54-135K Line Level Kit Tripods,Grade Rods, Levels, Transit & Surveying $65.00 |
|
|
CST/BERGER ALUMINUM TRIPOD AND ROD $65.00 |
|
|
CST/BERGER ALUMINUM TRIPOD AND ROD $65.00 |
|
|
CST/BERGER ALUMINUM TRIPOD AND ROD $65.00 |
|
|
Antique Wrough Iron Lightning Rod Copper Tri Pod Stand Baby Blue Glass Ball $74.99 |
|
|
Antique Wrough Iron Lightning Rod Copper Tri Pod Stand White Glass Ball $74.99 |
|
|
3 Piece Beach/Surf Rod, fixed spool reel, tripod – ideal starter set up $81.29 |
|
|
WESTON FREESTYLE TRI POD DUAL ROD HOLDER COMES WITH WATER RESISTANT STORAGE BAG $91.00 |
|
|
WESTON FREESTYLE TRI POD DUAL ROD HOLDER COMES WITH WATER RESISTANT STORAGE BAG $91.00 |
|
|
WESTON FREESTYLE TRI POD DUAL ROD HOLDER COMES WITH WATER RESISTANT STORAGE BAG $91.00 |
|
|
WESTON FREESTYLE TRI POD DUAL ROD HOLDER COMES WITH WATER RESISTANT STORAGE BAG $91.20 |
|
|
Vintage ALLSTATE TRI POD JACK! All original! Hot Rod/ Rat Rod, Barn Find! $99.00 |
|
|
CST BERGER 24X TRANSIT LEVEL WITH DEWALT TRIPOD & HEIGHT GRADE ROD $99.00 |
|
|
ALUMINUM TRIPOD + GRADE ROD INCHES COMBO, FOR LASER LEVEL,AUTO LEVEL,TRANSIT $109.00 |
|
|
ALUMINUM TRIPOD + GRADE ROD 10TH COMBO, FOR LASER LEVEL,AUTO LEVEL,TRANSIT $109.00 |
|
|
JohnsonLevelandTool Universal Tripod and Grade Rod Kit 40-6350 $111.64 |
|
|
Johnson Heavy Duty Tripod and grade rod for use with Johnson Laser Levels $117.95 |
|
|
Acculine Pro Universal Tripod/13′ Grade Rod Kit 40-6350 $119.00 |
|
|
Tripod Mount Quick Release Plate Rod Support Baseplate fr Rail System DSLR Rig $129.00 |
|
|
Pantoscopic Precision Panoramic 360 ° Tripod Head Rod Support Mount Cameras DSLR $149.14 |
|
|
Quick Release Tripods Baseplate 15mm Rod Support System For 5D2 60D Follow Focus $149.14 |
|
|
22x Auto builders level -transit with tripod and grade rod $150.00 |
|
|
Oconnor Tripod EYEPIECE LEVELING ROD $155.00 |
|
|
Celestron SkyMaster 20×80 Multi-Coated Optics Binoculars w/ Tripod Adapter Rod $165.95 |
|
|
BRAND NEW! SOUTH NL20 AUTO LEVEL 20X WITH TRIPOD & ROD PACKAGE 4 TOTAL STATION $180.00 |
|
|
3 X NEW CARP COARSE FISHING MINI TRIPOD ROD REST FULLY ADJUSTABLE $193.80 |
|
|
New 32x Auto Level + Rod + Tripod Package $199.00 |
|
|
BRAND NEW! SOUTH NL24 AUTO LEVEL 24X WITH TRIPOD & ROD PACKAGE 4 TOTAL STATION $200.00 |
|
|
DeWALT DW090PK 20x Builders Level Package W/ Rod & Tripod $209.99 |
|
|
BRAND NEW! SOUTH NL28 AUTO LEVEL 28X WITH TRIPOD & ROD PACKAGE 4 TOTAL STATION $220.00 |
|
|
Follow Focus rod support Crank fr tripod matte box DV HDV DSLR xl1 ex3 5d Camera $225.00 |
|
|
Seco 4811-24 24X Auto Level & Acculine Pro 55″ Tripod + Grading Rod $229.99 |
|
|
CST/BERGER 24X PAL AUTO LEVEL KIT WITH TELESCOPING LEVELING ROD TRIPOD AND CASE $235.00 |
|
|
BRAND NEW! SOUTH NL32 AUTO LEVEL 32X WITH TRIPOD & ROD PACKAGE 4 TOTAL STATION $240.00 |
|
|
24X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT(G)+TRIPOD+13′ ROD(10) $245.00 |
|
|
FF-125 Follow Focus rod support fr tripod dslr rig 5d $245.00 |
|
|
24X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT + TRIPOD + 13′ ROD $249.00 |
|
|
24X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT + TRIPOD + 13′ ROD $249.00 |
|
|
24X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT + TRIPOD + 9′ ROD $249.00 |
|
|
24X BUILDER AUTO LEVEL TRANSIT PKG, TRIPOD, ROD (10th) $249.88 |
|
|
Trimble Spectra 24X Auto Level Kit with Tripod, Rod $259.00 |
|
|
DEWALT DW096PK 26X Automatic Optical Level Tripod Rod Kit W/ Carrying Case $259.99 |
|
|
32X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT B/W + TRIPOD + 13′ ROD $265.00 |
|
|
32X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT B/W + TRIPOD + 13′ ROD $265.00 |
|
|
Pantoscopic Precision Panoramic Tripod Head Rod Support For DSLR Kit 5D2 7D 60D $265.99 |
|
|
32X BUILDER AUTO LEVEL TRANSIT PKG, TRIPOD, ROD (10th) $269.88 |
|
|
Northwest 32x Automatic Auto Level Package Tripod & Rod $275.00 |
|
|
Auto Level Kit : STANLEY AL24, tripod & aluminium rod $279.00 |
|
|
32X AUTOMATIC LEVEL AUTO TRANSIT + TRIPOD + 13′ ROD $295.53 |
|
|
Grizzly Spit Rotisserie $44.61 Just add food and flame. Portable and motorized Grizzly Spit Rotisserie, for that bistro – roasted taste anytime, anywhere. Rotisseries rotate food over heat for that thoroughly roasted flavor. With this Grizzly Spit Rotisserie, you can feast on rotisserie-cooked food whenever and wherever you get the hankering! It’s portable and battery-powered, so it goes where you go, from the boat to the backy… |
|
|
DSLR Cheese Plate $42.00 Black DSLR Cheese Plate with threaded 1/4″ 20 and 3/8″ holes. Plate also has counter sunk holes for attaching a 15mm rod clamp. Plate can be used to configure a DSLR mount that can have a tripod plate or shoulder mount attached to the bottom and a 15mm rod system attached to the top…. |
|
|
Genus GL GSBK Shoulder Brace System Kit (Black) $465.00 Featuring industry standard 15mm rods and quality engineering, this rig is built to last. Ideal for the DSLR shooter on the run, the contoured shoulder brace gives you support and comfort to stabilize your hand-held shooting without weighing you down. The modular and flexible design of the unit makes it quick and easy to configure your shooting style. The DSLR Mount Bracket allows you to adjust yo… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Surveying With A Compass from Mary Evans $29.99 Photo Puzzle, SURVEYING WITH A COMPASS. Surveying with a mounted compass. . Chosen by Mary Evans. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab…. |
|
|
DEWALT DW090PK 20X Builder’s Level Package with Tripod and Rod $437.83 20x magnification for 200′+ range… |
|
|
DEWALT DW092PK 20X Transit Level Package with Tripod, Rod, and Carrying Case $755.26 With transit capability to determine vertical angles, the DeWalt DW092PK 20x Transit Level Package with Tripod, Rod, and Carrying Case features 20x magnification for a range that exceeds 200 feet. Capable of providing a +/-1/4-inch per 100 feet accuracy, this kit also comes with a 360-degree horizontal circle with vernier scale for precise measuring of horizontal angles. The included tripod’s heav… |
|
|
CST/berger 57-LMH-CUPK Electronic Self-Leveling Horizontal Single Beam Rotary Laser Level Complete Package with Tripod, Rod and All-in-One Carrying Case $1,400.00 Easy-to-use one-person operation for general construction and site preparation. Servo motor-driven fully electronic self-leveling with built-in Anti-Drift sensor Anti-Drift/Manual indicator and shut-off laser when unit moves. Rubberized base protects against shock dust and water. 5/8“ x 11 mounting thread fits flat head tripods. Heavy-duty glass lighthouse protects beacon from moisture and dirt. … |
|
|
New Backdrop Stand10x13 Muslin Black White Green Red Still Shot 2TM Professional Series 10′ x 13′ Cotton Muslin (Red Black Green and White) with Stand Genuine Still Shot 2 TM Equipment Factory Direct Professional Series Muslin Combo Set This COMBO SET is designed to save you money by combining 3 items into 1 shipment. And this kit is Awesome. Meaning we added 10′ x 13′ with this set. If the larger 10′ x 13′ muslins are preferred or to purchase in… |
|
|
Celestron SkyMaster 20×80 Binoculars $99.90 Celestron 20×80 SkyMaster Giant Astronomy Porro BaK-4 Binoculars w/ Case 71018… |
|
|
Celestron 71020 SkyMaster 25-125×80 Zoom Binoculars $112.95 Celestron’s SkyMaster Series of large aperture binoculars are a phenomenal value for high performance binoculars. Ideal for astronomical viewing or for terrestrial (land) use, especially over long distances. SkyMaster models feature high-quality BAK-4 prisms and multi-coated optics for enhanced contrast. Celestron has designed and engineered the larger SkyMaster models to meet the special demands … |
