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Fourth of July: Upload Your Fireworks Photo, Win a Schiller's Gift Card

You could win a $50 gift card to Schiller's by uploading your favorite July 4th fireworks photo! Our brief guide will help you capture those sparkles in the sky, whether you're using a point-and-shoot or DSLR camera.

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Capturing fireworks with the camera is a challenge that can be mastered with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Edward Maurer

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Capturing fireworks with the camera is a challenge that can be mastered with the right equipment and settings on your camera.

Credit Edward Maurer

A tripod is essential for photographing fireworks because it keeps the camera steady while the fireworks streak across the sky.

Credit Edward Maurer

If you have a point-and-shoot camera, put the camera in scene mode "SCN" and select the fireworks option.

Credit Edward Maurer

If you are using a DSLR camera, start with setting the ISO to 100 and putting the camera in manual mode "M." Set the aperture to F8 and the shutter speed to 2 seconds.

Credit Edward Maurer

Set the camera's auto focus in manual mode and set the focus to infinity. This will allow the camera to stay in focus when photographing the fireworks that are far away.

Credit Edward Maurer

Timing is everything. As soon as you hear the shell launch, wait a couple seconds and then press the shutter release button. The shell generally takes 3 to 4 seconds to launch and explode, so time your shot so that you press the shutter release before the firework explodes.

Credit Edward Maurer

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Credit Ryan Martin http://o1.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/PATCH/resize/273x203/http://hss-prod.hss.aol.com/hss/storage/patch/fa943a35b8d7a48d05416350549ae798 http://o4.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/patch/d793176d086e65e6891f1d5002459251

Upload Photos and Videos

Do you like taking photos? Do you want a fun challenge, and a chance to win a $50 gift card to Schiller's Camera and Video in Brentwood?

By uploading your favorite July 4th fireworks photo to this article, you'll automatically be entered into a random drawing for the gift card! Your photos will also be showcased across Patch. Just click "Upload Photos" above the article to submit your favorite photo.

After the the fireworks have cleared on Independence Day, we at St. Louis Patch will randomly select a winner. This contest will run from June 28 to Tuesday, July 10.

How to shoot photographs of fireworks

Capturing fireworks on camera is a challenge that can be mastered easily with the right equipment and settings on your camera. Read the above captions for a short tutorial to help you capture the rockets' red glare this Fourth of July.

It doesn't matter if you have a DSLR or a point-and-shoot — you'll still be able to shoot stunning photographs of the sparks in the sky.

Equipment needed:

Camera: Either point-and-shoot or an DSLR.
Tripod: To keep the camera steady and prevent motion blur.
Flashlight: To see the camera settings in the dark.
Wireless Trigger: Not necessary but it helps to prevent camera shake.

The contest's official rules are outlined below:

Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
To enter, upload your favorite fireworks photo to this article page.
All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, July 10.
Each uploader will be entered once, though you may upload as many photos as you desire.
One (1) winner will be selected in a random drawing.
One (1) winner will receive a $50 gift card to Schiller’s Camera and Video in Brentwood.
Complete Official Rules are attached as a PDF to this article.

Related Topics: Fireworks, Fourth Of July, Independence Day, July 4th, Schiller's, and fireworks photography

What are your tips for taking photos of fireworks? Tell us in the comments.

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