The fireworks are here, the juicy burgers and beer are endlessly flowing, and you’re donning red, white, and blue… yup, it’s definitely a July 4th barbecue. This year, we’ll give you tips on how to capture all the glory of Independence Day and those ever-changing firework displays.
1. Go Big or Go Home
So you’ve made it out the door to a friend’s barbecue – don’t stop now! Wear your loudest and brightest hues of red, white, and blue. Throw some star stickers on your face and necklaces around your neck.
2. Get the Right Angles
You’ll get a much better video if you have a lot of photos and video clips to work with. Start with a shot of the whole barbecue scene with lots of sunshine (hopefully), burgers, a pool, and good company. Definitely a couple of group shots of people in good conversation. Even hold up an American flag if you’re feeling extra patriotic – it makes for a great backdrop.
3. Fireworks
Fireworks are tricky to capture. For cameras with manual settings, we recommend a slow shutter speed (about a few seconds) to let enough light in to capture it, Careful, though – you have to have a super steady hand (or a tripod) so it isn’t blurry. Also, play around with aperture (but not too wide because you’ll lose color, so keep it focused around f/8).
If you have a regular (but just as great) digital camera with no modes, just make sure the flash is off and use the nighttime mode if one exists. Many digital cameras today come with a specific fireworks setting!
Better yet, choose from our selection of videos (this will be much easier – so you can sit there and enjoy your fireworks without worrying if they were captured on film). Under “celebrations” we have many video clips of streaming flags and booming fireworks (even some behind the Statue of Liberty!)
4. Music
Put away the soft, mellow tunes and break out your party mix for a video with pop!
Country
Back Where I Belong – The Ranchhands (Pro)
Indie Rock
4th of July –The Brightwings (Pro)
The Party’s On (instrumental) – Mike Gallagher
Family Fun
In The Sun – Finn Wallace (Pro)
Beautiful Day – Ryan Huston (Pro)
5. Style
Fire
Play off the steam of those fireworks!
Water
Cool things down a bit.
Simplicity
No need for lots of background images when your colorful photos and videos tell the story.
Infinite Collage
Awesome for the scrapbook-style look.
6. Share!
Send your video of the party and fireworks to everyone who came to your barbecue and thank them for bringing a blanket, a decorative dessert, or the patriotic napkins. Or, thank the host!
