I've written a few articles over the past few years about Photographing Fireworks - it can never hurt to emphasize a point again so hopefully some of you will find this useful. In particular UK deviants might find themselves faced with a firework display this evening - the perfect opportunity to test out the tools within this article!

Tripods can be cheap or pricey. If you're looking for something decent, expect to pay a price! If you're unsure whether you can justify getting a tripod just to shoot fireworks then check out this article that I wrote - Tripod or Not? There's also a nifty DIY tripod trick you can try which I've written about here  - but for fireworks, you need stability.

These are honestly very cheap nowadays, even for a wireless remote shutter release. It's worth investing - check out Ebay and look for some great bargains. Shutter Releases come hand in hand with a tripod and you need them in order to avoid the slightest camera shake ruining your epic firework capture. Remote Shutter Release's assist with stability and steadiness during a shoot and allows your camera to remain absolutely still.

A lot of people think that shooting fireworks is just about the firework. You point at the pretty colours, you shoot. It's not. When you get home you'll find all sorts of things in the shot that you didn't realise you were capturing - people, buildings, trees, hedges e.t.c - they all cast shadows in the background when you've got a bright lit up sky. So Composition is one of the most valuable tools you can use whether photographing fireworks, or photographing a landscape. Don't forget to picture your surroundings as if it were daylight - even arrive in daylight so you can scope out what's around you.

A kit lens is great for shooting fireworks - it holds a good wide-ish angle. I use an 18 - 55mm lens or an 18 -70mm lens for capturing fireworks. If I'm a bit further back from the main event I have managed to capture a few with a 70 - 300 mm lens - this is great for things such as Catherine Wheels and low level displays. The focal length of your lens will be the controlling parameter for how much or how little of the display fills you shot.

It sounds stupid, but you need to keep warm. If you're going tripod-less then you really do need to ensure you're warm. Last year on bonfire night, i neglected to take a tripod and even my teeth were chattering with cold so goodness knows what shake I was carrying in my hands. Keep warm for the sake of your photography. Priorities! Don't forget hot chocolate and cold chocolate aka chocolate bars to fill you with warmth inside