The Black Card Technique: Your Secret Weapon for Stunning Fireworks Photography

Long Exposure Photography  •  Photography Tips

The black card technique is used in long exposure photography and can be particularly effective for shooting fireworks. The goal is to prevent overexposure and to capture multiple bursts of fireworks in a single frame.

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Photo captured by Mio Ito

Here is how you can use this technique:

Equipment Needed:

1. A Camera that allows for manual control of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO
2. A Tripod
3. Remote Shutter Release (to avoid camera shake)
4. A Black Card – It should be large enough to cover your camera lens.

Procedure:

Setting up: First, set up your camera on a tripod. The location should be in a spot where you have a good view of the sky where the fireworks will explode.

Focus: Before the fireworks start, set the focus. If you’re mainly interested in the fireworks, you can manually focus your camera at a distance where you expect the fireworks to burst. Switch off auto-focus to ensure your camera doesn’t try to refocus every time you take a picture.

Camera Settings: Set your camera to a low ISO (like ISO 100 or 200) to reduce noise. Set your aperture to a mid-range value (like f/8 or f/11) for optimal sharpness. Since fireworks are bright, these settings should provide enough light for the shot.

Shutter Speed: Since we are aiming for long exposure to capture multiple bursts, you need to set your camera in Bulb mode. This mode allows you to keep the shutter open for as long as you press the shutter release button.

The Black Card: Hold the black card in front of your camera lens. You’ll want it close enough to cover the lens but not so close that you risk bumping the camera.

Photo captured by Giorgio Trovato

Shooting the Fireworks: As the fireworks show starts, press and hold the shutter release button to open the shutter. Keep the black card in front of the lens. When a firework burst that you want to capture happens, remove the black card from in front of the lens, exposing it to the light from the firework. Once the burst fades, replace the card. Repeat this each time there is a burst you want to capture. When you’re done capturing all the bursts you want in a single frame, release the shutter button to close the shutter and complete the exposure.

Experiment: This technique requires a bit of practice and experimentation. Don’t be discouraged if your initial shots are not what you expected. Play around with the timing of when you remove and replace the card, as well as the settings on your camera, until you get results that you are happy with.

Remember to review your shots and adjust your settings as needed. Factors such as the brightness of the fireworks, ambient light, and the desired effect may necessitate adjustment of your aperture, ISO, or how long you keep the shutter open.

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