Fireworks Photography

Photograph of Fireworks over Highlands Ranch

Highlands Ranch doesn’t have a New Year’s Eve fireworks display but downtown Denver does! Actually does it twice; once at 9:00 and again at 12:00.

Photographing fireworks can be fun but does involve some trial and error. Here’s some exposure settings that should be a good starting point:

Set your camera in manual exposure mode and then set the ISO to 200, the exposure time to 15 seconds and the f-stop to f/22. You’ll need to use a tripod to keep the camera steady for the long exposures.

It takes a bit of guessing to know when to press the shutter button. Try to press it after a mortar is launched but before it explodes. The long exposure time catches the fireworks as they burst and spread across the sky.

Don’t stop with one shot! After the first shot, check the LCD on the camera and see if you need to adjust where the camera is pointed. Don’t zoom in too much or you may miss the bursts.

Have fun, stay warm and Happy New Year!

David Sutphin lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and photographs families, seniors, models and actors at various outdoor locations around Denver as well as his studio in Englewood, Colorado. You can see more of his photography on his website at DavidSutphin.com.

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Denver, Colorado

David has incredible talent! I have needed to use a head shot photo for over 20 years as an executive, and this experience and result have been the very best to date! David was very thorough in understanding my need/purpose/use for the photo and went above and beyond making sure the outcome was a perfect. His approach during the shoot provided several opportunities to pause, check results, adjust as I wanted and continue. Best head shot I’ve ever had!

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Lone Tree, Colorado

I hate taking photos and David made me feel so comfortable and the shoot was amazing! He took so many great photos i could hardly decide which one was best (so i picked two).! I’m grateful that i found David for my professional headshot picture! Thanks David

Kim M.

Denver, Colorado

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