Fireworks light up the sky with wonder — but capturing that magic on your iPhone can be tricky. Blurry shots, blown-out brightness, and missed moments are common. The good news? You don’t need a DSLR or photography degree to shoot stunning fireworks. With just a few simple settings and tips, your iPhone can capture fireworks that look absolutely magical.
Let’s dive into the beginner-friendly, creative tips you need to master firework photography — right from your iPhone.
Firework Photography Tips (for iPhone Users, to Capture Memories That Look Magical)
1. Prep Before the Show Starts
The biggest mistake most iPhone users make? Waiting until the first firework goes off to start shooting. Take a few minutes before the show to:
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Clean your lens (seriously, you’d be surprised!)
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Turn off Flash — it won’t help with distant, bright lights
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Enable Live Photos or Burst Mode for action shots
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Find a stable spot or use a mini tripod to avoid shaking
Tip: Shooting from a slightly elevated location or somewhere with foreground objects (like silhouettes or water) makes your photo more magical.
2. Turn Off Auto Settings (Use Manual Mode Apps if Needed)
The default Camera app is great, but it auto-adjusts based on lighting. Fireworks need something more controlled. Try using:
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iPhone’s built-in “Night Mode” (for newer models)
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Or apps like Halide, ProCamera, or Camera+ 2 to control ISO, shutter speed, and focus manually.
Settings to try:
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ISO: 25–100 (low, to reduce grain)
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Shutter Speed: 1–2 seconds
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Focus: Set to infinity
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White Balance: Keep it natural (around 4000K–5000K)
3. Lock Focus and Exposure
Fireworks are bright. Your iPhone may keep adjusting exposure, making your shots either too dark or completely white.
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Tap and hold on the sky area to lock focus/exposure.
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Then, drag your finger up/down to increase or decrease brightness before snapping.
This avoids the constant flickering adjustments while shooting.
4. Use Burst Mode for Perfect Timing
Timing is everything with fireworks. Use Burst Mode by holding down the shutter button — this captures multiple frames in seconds, helping you pick the perfect explosion later.
Bonus: Burst mode is especially helpful if you want to create a collage of different shapes or use apps like Canva to layer bursts together for Instagram.
5. Turn On Live Photos for Motion Magic
Want a little motion in your shots? Enable Live Photos. It captures 1.5 seconds before and after your photo, so you can:
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Choose the best frame
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Turn the image into a Loop or Long Exposure
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Add a dreamy trail effect to your firework shot
6. Use Editing Apps to Enhance the Glow
After the show, your real magic happens in editing. Apps like Snapseed, Lightroom Mobile, or even Instagram’s built-in tools let you:
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Boost contrast and vibrance
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Lower shadows and highlights
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Add clarity and structure for crispness
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Crop for better composition
Optional: Use Canva to turn your best photo into a keepsake, wallpaper, or 4th of July post!
7. Experiment with Reflections and Silhouettes
Want your shots to feel cinematic? Try including:
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A body of water for mirror-like reflections
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A crowd in the foreground for emotional depth
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Hands holding sparklers to frame the scene
These small creative additions turn an average photo into something memorable.
Final Words: You Don’t Need Fancy Gear — Just a Little Practice
Firework photography on an iPhone doesn’t have to be hard. With just a bit of planning and these creative tips, your shots can feel magical, professional, and totally Pinterest-worthy.
Next time you’re under a sky full of sparks, don’t just watch — capture it like a creator.
Ankit is an engineer by profession and blogger by passion. He is passionate to do all the stuff such as designing the website, doing the SEO, researching for the content, writing tech blog posts and more.
