Bonfire or Diwali – How to Photograph Fireworks on Your Phone: Top 5 Tips for Android and iPhone

Whether you’re celebrating Bonfire Night, Diwali or any festive occasion with fireworks, capturing the moment on your phone can be tricky. But with the right techniques, you can snap spectacular shots of fireworks without needing professional equipment. Here are the top 5 tips for photographing fireworks on both Android and iPhone devices.


1. Turn Off the Flash

Why: The flash on your phone is too short-ranged to effectively light fireworks in the sky. Instead, it can add glare to your image or reflect off nearby objects, ruining your shot.

How to Turn Off Flash:

iPhone: Open the Camera app, tap the flash icon (lightning bolt), and select “Off.”

Android: In the Camera app, tap the flash icon and ensure it’s toggled to “Off.”


2. Use Night Mode or Manual Settings

Why: Night mode or manual settings allow your phone’s camera to capture better detail in low light, which is ideal for fireworks displays.

How to Use:

iPhone: If you have an iPhone with Night Mode (available on iPhone 11 and later), your phone will automatically detect the low-light setting. Tap the night mode icon and adjust the exposure time for longer shots.

Android: Many Android phones have manual settings. Open the Camera app and switch to “Pro Mode” or “Manual Mode” where you can adjust settings like ISO, exposure, and focus. Lower ISO and a slower shutter speed will give you better results in low light.


3. Use a Tripod or Steady Surface

 Why: Fireworks shots require long exposures to capture the light trails, and any movement from your phone can cause blur. Stabilising your phone with a tripod or steady surface is essential for sharp, clear photos.

 Best Practices:

Tripod: Invest in a small mobile tripod to keep your phone steady.

DIY Solution: If you don’t have a tripod, find a stable surface like a bench or wall to rest your phone on while shooting.


4. Experiment with Burst Mode

 Why: Fireworks are unpredictable. Burst mode lets you capture multiple shots in quick succession, increasing your chances of snapping the perfect moment when the fireworks explode in the sky.

How to Use Burst Mode:

iPhone: Press and drag the shutter button to the left (if holding the phone vertically) or down (if horizontal) to activate burst mode.

Android: Many Android devices also have burst mode. Simply press and hold the shutter button to take several shots in rapid succession.


5. Focus Manually for Sharper Shots

Why: Automatic focus on your phone may struggle to focus properly on fireworks, especially in a dark sky. Switching to manual focus ensures that the fireworks remain sharp.

How to Use

iPhone: Tap and hold the screen on a bright spot in the sky until the yellow box appears, locking the focus.

Android: On many Android phones, you can enable “Pro Mode” or “Manual Focus” to adjust focus manually. Set the focus to infinity for best results.

Bonus Tip: Edit Your Photos Afterwards

After you’ve taken your firework shots, enhance them with your phone’s built-in editing tools. Adjust brightness, contrast, and sharpness to make the colours pop. Apps like ‘Snapseed’ or ‘VSCO’ can help bring out the best in your firework photos.


Conclusion

With these top 5 tips, you’ll be well-equipped to capture stunning fireworks photos, whether you’re celebrating Bonfire Night, Diwali, or any other festive occasion. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to try out different settings and techniques.