Photographing Fairs & Fireworks

Written by Brittany G.
Photo Credits to Alex Lee, Brianna Pflug, Brittany G, and Justin Curtis

Summertime is here, and more fairs and festivals are popping up! Many have firework shows, food stands, and rides to enjoy so you'll find extra opportunities to get outside and maybe even shoot something new. With these fairs ranging in all sizes, let's see what different techniques you can use to experiment with your shooting style.

Things To Note

When heading to any fairgrounds, be sure to double-check their website (if they have one), as some locations will have specific rules and regulations regarding photography and videography on the fairgrounds. 

Here are some common rules you may see:

• No tripods/monopods
• Limits on cameras with certain lens sizes (i.e. "cameras with a lens longer than 6")
• No audio equipment
• No lighting equipment (this may also apply to battery powered lights)

While this may not be a full exclusive list, it is always our responsibility as a community to be aware of these guidelines to not create a safety concern, or environment that is unwelcome at any event. Some places will limit items you can bring with you, require a permit or advance notice of you shooting on their event ground, or may limit outside photographers and videographers altogether - as they have their own team. Be mindful while on any event grounds as sometimes these restrictions are for safety reasons for everyone attending the event.

Rides and Lights

With some events, you'll have many rides and lighted features to focus your camera on. One thing to have a thought of before pressing that shutter is looking at your composition and how you want certain areas framed in your lens. Unfortunately, fairgrounds are not necessarily built around the idea of a perfect image of every ride, so take a moment to think about how you can frame multiple rides in one shot, or adjust your settings to creatively focus on your ride of choice.

Rides are quite fun to shoot as you will have an opportunity to capture the ride itself, but also the riders that are enjoying the fun! When you want to capture those expressive moments, be sure to keep your shutter speed a bit higher after properly exposing your image, and ensuring your focus is set for your preference. If a ride has a constant motion that is hindering your photo, try to track the subject or rider that is best for where you are standing. This simple small tracking movement can allow your subject to remain in the frame without blurring too much, especially if you are trying to have the movement of the ride exaggerated.

Not only can you grab those midday ride shots, but as the sun sets and the sky darkens you can have some fun experimenting with slower shutter speed settings. As you slow down your shutter, the movements of the lights will drag out, and create a line of lighting in your shot. Take for example, as you hold still with a slow shutter speed, and set up your focus on a circular spinning ride, you'll create an effect that shows the drag of all the rides' lights in that same circular motion. In turn, you will see different rides and how they move will create unique lighting drags in each shot!

With the pre-mentioned restrictions on some fairgrounds, you can still capture slower shutter speeds handheld - and you can get extra creative by moving your camera slightly after pressing the shutter. This hand movement will still drag the lights but instead of it only being in the direction they are moving (like a merry-go-round is circular) you can slightly redirect that drag and cause unique streaking throughout your frame with individual lights. This will affect other items in your frame that move when you are on slow shutter settings, but sometimes the shots you may not think will work out, create the most interesting compositions.

Remember, taking these photos take a lil practice, especially if you are unfamiliar with shooting in lower lighting. So don't be afraid to keep trying and changing settings to your liking! You'll find the sweet spot for the style or composition you want in your shots, and especially with people walking in between your shots, you will find some compositions more effective than others!

Firework Shows

Talking about low lighting, another thing to take a look at is if you have any local fireworks shows, or if the fair you are planning to attend is going to have a firework show on the fairgrounds. It's not only a moment to relax, grab a blanket and some snacks, but to even prop your tripod up and grab some longer exposures of the light-dragging effects from the different fireworks as they fall brightly from the sky!

After setting your camera on a tripod, or holding it with an extremely steady hand set your shutter speed to anywhere from 1 to 10 seconds and you'll be set to play around with some firework photography!

As your apertue stays open for a longer time, it allows more light to come into the lens to capture what normally would be dark in low light settings with a faster shutter. Any moving lights will appear to drag, while still lights will remain frozen in place - but all can be properly exposed in the frame due to the slower shutter. This technique takes time to perfect, but with the proper practice, you can create dynamic photos when fireworks are flying in the sky!

Keep in mind that some cameras work differently in low light, so some settings will vary. Be sure to double-check what settings your lens and camera combinations will allow you to use before heading to shoot long exposures but the more familiar you become with your gear the easier it will be to pack up and go! When you do get set up on-site, take a moment to take some practice shots, and find the ideal settings for where you are set up.

Food Stands or Fair Games

Other than rides, the next things to check out are the food stands and games! They are available in addition to the rides on most event grounds and they range from all types across the board. While wide shots will be fun to capture the full stand and is a classic shot we all see, try some other techniques and compositions when looking through your lens.

With higher shutter speeds, you can capture things in action - see if you can capture a family playing games, or food being prepared. See if you can ask a vendor before a rush of customers to take some macro shots or action shots of them serving food! Always ask in public areas if you are uncertain! Though if you can get some closeups of the food being served or a game being played you'll see what kind of creative dynamic movement can be captured!

Other Shooting Opportunities

With everyone's focus on the rides, games, and food that are surrounding the fairgrounds, one of the best alternative shots you can take is of the environment itself. These candid shots can tell a whole story in a couple of shots, without the need for a big flashy ride or game.

Whether it be the workers themselves having a moment to breathe between the crazy crowds, or even the people attending the event and enjoying their time - these small moments in time give a reflection of summertime and the joy it can bring to so many. Sometimes the simplest of shots are the most fulfilling, and if you're really lucky you may have families that stop you for a quick photo op once they see a camera in your hands.

So next time you are attending your local fair or firework show, don't forget to grab your camera and see what you can capture! A single day at the fair will provide you with endless photo opportunities throughout the daytime and night. Take note of what styles you like or want to accomplish and make a challenge out of it! See if by the end of the day, as you go through your photos, if you were able to achieve them. You can even take it up a notch with a group of friends who either have their phones to shoot on or perhaps are fellow photographers and make a small scavenger hunt out of it - create a list of things and at the end see who captured the most unique shots!

To see more work from any of the featured photographers click on any of their images above, and to see more from our Photo Insider click here!