DearOne Photography: Focus on YOU- taking better firework photos

I have to be honest. Normally, I really hate fireworks photos. They're blurry, grainy, and don't share any kind of story. However, even without a DSLR, you can still get great photos.

Start with a tripod. All that blur you're seeing? It's because you're probably shaking while you hold your camera. You probably don't even realize it.

No tripod? No problem! Try balancing your camera on a fence post, a chair, or the top of your car (don't just leave it there unattended though!). This will give you a little more stability.

Next, check the settings on your camera. There are two ways to get great shots of fireworks- a long shutter speed (your shutter will stay open longer, allowing more light and more of the fireworks in, but will take awhile and you can't move the camera!), or a short shutter speed (like a quick burst, what most people prefer when taking photos).

These photos are all done with longer shutter speeds, meaning most of them have more than one firework going on.

For you technical types, these photos were taken with a 30 second exposure, an f-stop of 8 and an ISO of 400.

If you can change the settings on your camera, having a longer shutter speed is a great way to add some extra excitement or something a little different to your photos.

If you're using a point-and-shoot or some DSLRs, you may even have a fireworks button. You can also try a sport mode to grab some quick snaps.

Finally, use your photos to tell a story. I can't over-express this. Add details to your story that will give your viewers a sense of what's going on. In the photos above, I stood as close to the water as possible on a work break and set up my tripod. I LOVED the way the harbor lit up- and not just from the fireworks!!

Last year I had more fun watching my sisters-in-law with my nieces and nephews than the actual fireworks. It was crazy crowded, and these are so different from the ones above, but they still tell a story.