The Portland area has several big fireworks shows, and as much fun as it is to watch stuff blow up and make pretty colors, if you enjoy photography like I do, it can be fun to take photos as well.

Here’s a few quick photo tips for the aspiring firework photographer:

• Use a tripod – since you’re potentially using long exposures, trying to handhold the shots will lead to mediocre results.
• Film speed/ISO – you’ll want to use a lower-ISO film (or equivalent digital setting)… ISO 50, 100, or 200 max
• Study the scene – look for things, especially lit things, that will be in your background. You won’t want some bright light behind your fireworks shot.
• Include some context – if you can include some of the skyline or other landscape in the photo to give a sense of location, that will usually improve your composition
• Shutter speed – there’s no hard and fast rule here, but generally you’re going to want to set your shutter speed manually based on the effect you want in the image. A short shutter speed will help to “freeze” the action, but don’t discount a longer exposure for some nice “fireworks falling through the sky” effects.

Any metblog readers have some good firework photography tips they’d like to share?