How to take the perfect photo of the fireworks at Red, White and BOOM!

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- Red, White and BOOM! is just a few short days away, with the annual, all-day event culminating with a 26-minute fireworks show.

BOOM! organizers said this year’s show will be breathtaking, with many hoping to take a memorable photo of the display. Jeffrey Millhouse with Midwest Photo said that taking a great picture of fireworks is easier with a nicer camera, which can be rented from a local camera store like Midwest Photo.

Millhouse said you can also get a great picture on your cell phone with little effort.

“Your standard cell phone camera shot is actually pretty wide already so you’re going to capture a lot of the sky and the surrounding area,” Millhouse said. “You can just aim the camera up, aim your cell phone up actually at the sky and take the picture.”

No matter the type of camera being used, Millhouse said a tripod is a great option because it stabilizes the shot, reducing any blurriness. He suggests taking a couple of test shots to figure out what works best in a firework photo.

“If you’re taking a shot of the first firework and it’s a little too bright, then you may have to stop down the aperture a little bit to get the exposure correct,” Millhouse said. “So you really just have to test things out a little bit too. Play around, have fun with it.”

Millhouse said don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right on the first, third or even twelfth try.

“Even the best photographers will take multiple exposures, especially in the digital world, to see what works out well, kind of review their photos, see what needs to be adjusted and then nail the exposure, nail the shot that you want,” Millhouse said.

And if you plan on staying at Red, White and BOOM! until you get your perfect shot, make sure you come prepared.

“Bring a flashlight, bring a chair, bring water with you because you may be out there for a long time,” Millhouse said.

To learn more about Midwest Photo, check out their website here.