How to Shoot Defocused Fireworks – Focus Pull Photography

This Defocused Fireworks Photography video is a mix between a photography tutorial and a vlog, showing how to shoot defocused fireworks with a DSLR camera. This technique is also known as a focus pull or intentional blurred focus.

This was my first time shooting fireworks in this way, so it was a learning experience for me too. I fell in love with creating these sea-anemone-like creatures in the sky. I’m still working on getting more consistent results, and I look forward to filming a more detailed tutorial in the future.

📷 Tips for Defocused Firework Photography

Shoot wider: It’s nearly impossible to follow one firework to isolate an explosion — a wider frame helps.
Camera settings that worked: ISO 100, f/7.1, 1–2 second exposure. Start out of focus, then twist the focus ring to bring it into focus during exposure.
Stay upwind: Position yourself so smoke doesn’t drift into your shot.