Fireworks

Free Fireworks Pictures and New Year Backgrounds: 52 Photos

· 3 min read
Golden firework trails filling the sky

52 free fireworks pictures: big bursts in red, gold, white and blue, rockets and fountains, and fireworks reflected in the water. Use them for New Year, national days, invitations and celebration posts.

How to download: click a photo to see it large, then use Download. The originals are about 1200 × 800 pixels: right for blog posts, slides, social media, school projects and video call backgrounds.

Fireworks over the water

Shows fired over a lake, with the colours doubled in the reflection.

Golden smoke and sparks over the water
Red firework reflected in a lake
White burst over a lake at night
Purple and orange fireworks over the water
Blue and gold fireworks over a lake
Red firework reflected on water
Two small red bursts over a lake
Red fireworks over a lakeside town
Fan of golden rockets over the water
Glowing smoke above a boat
Golden fan of trails
Golden fountains on the water
Golden burst low over the water
Blue and gold fireworks over the water

Bursts, rockets and colours

Single shells and full finales against a black sky.

Golden firework trails filling the sky
White firework streaks on black
Two red fireworks bursting
Pink and white fireworks over a town
Colourful bursts in a cluster
Blue and white fireworks
White and pink bursts over a lake
Golden fireworks in a row
Rocket rising into fireworks
Pink and white firework stars
Red firework sphere
Golden willow firework
Golden and white bursts
Gold and silver fireworks in smoke
Red and blue fireworks with smoke
Pink burst in a red sky
White sparks on a red sky
Red and white chrysanthemum fireworks
Pink and white bursts at dusk
White and red bursts in smoke
Red and white fireworks with rising trails
Red firework in red smoke
White burst at dusk
Pink fireworks in smoke
Orange rockets in a smoky sky
White fireworks above and below
Scattered gold sparks and trails
Pink firework bursts
Colourful bursts over the lake
Red and white fireworks with trails
Big white and blue burst
Golden candles and fountains
Red and gold firework bouquet
Green red fireworks
Small colourful bursts
Green palm fireworks
Red and gold bursts
Pink and white firework finale

How to photograph fireworks

  • Use a tripod. Fireworks need exposures of one to several seconds, so the camera must not move. A remote release or the self-timer avoids shake.
  • Set the camera manually. ISO 100 to 200, aperture around f/8 to f/11, and focus manually on infinity or on the first burst, then leave it.
  • Use long exposures. Start with 2 to 4 seconds, or use bulb mode and open the shutter when a rocket goes up and close it after the burst.
  • Include something in the frame. A skyline, a bridge or water for reflections gives the bursts scale and makes the photo more than a pattern of light.
  • Watch the smoke and the wind. Stand upwind if you can; later in a show the smoke can hide the bursts.

A short history of fireworks

It is generally recognized that fireworks originated in China during the Sung dynasty (960-1279). A cook in ancient China discovered that a mixture of sulphur, saltpetre, and charcoal was highly flammable and would explode if confined in a small space. This discovery was first used for entertainment. The technique was soon adapted to weaponry and used to shoot rocket-powered arrows. In the 7th century the knowledge spread west via Arabia, reaching Europe in the 13th century where pyrotechnics developed with the invention of the gun in the 14th century. It was not until the 19th century that fireworks became as vividly colourful as we know them today. Brilliant colours are achieved by combining potassium chlorate and various metallic salts. These salts produce a variety of colours: strontium burns red; copper makes blue; barium glows green; and sodium produces yellow. Magnesium, aluminium and titanium give off white sparkles or a flash. Every firework show is a fantastic display of physics. The pyrotechnist has to take into account the relationships between vectors, velocities, projectiles and their trajectories together with the explosion forces behind burst patterns.

More free photos

Questions about these photos

Can I use these fireworks pictures for free?

Yes, for personal and commercial projects. All we ask is a link back to BigFoto.com; the box at the top of the page has a credit link you can copy.

What camera settings are best for fireworks?

A tripod, ISO 100 to 200, f/8 to f/11, manual focus and an exposure of about 2 to 4 seconds is a good starting point.