Bright red and pink bursts of fireworks with white and yellow glowing orbs and sparkling effects against a black night sky, creating a vibrant and dynamic display.Benjamin Sunkyong Kim

Firework displays are few and far between, making it hard to practice photographing them. Fortunately for Benjamin Sunkyong Kim, he lives in New York and every Friday night from July to September there is a fireworks display at Coney Island.

It’s just as well because the defocusing technique Kim practices requires a lot of patience and skill. “It is more complicated than it seems,” Kim tells PetaPixel. “Each photo requires a specific workflow: track the fireball, predict the explosion time and location, aim, lock the tripod head, press the shutter right as it explodes, and defocus steadily at a consistent speed.”

Kim says he must stay “very calm” while photographing the explosives as each step is repeated with care over the course of a display.

“I have one special piece of equipment for fireworks, which is the Sony A-mount 135mm f/2.8 T/4.5 STF lens,” Kim explains. “While regular lenses often produce sharp or busy bokeh and blurs, an STF lens provides smooth transitions and perfectly round bokeh, making it the perfect choice for my work.”

He also uses an Olympus EE-1 dot sight because a wide view is needed to track the fireballs. “Both the viewfinder and LCD screen are too narrow to monitor the surrounding area, which makes predicting and shooting very difficult,” he adds.

Abstract image featuring layered, blurred shapes in green, pink, and white tones, creating a dynamic, wave-like pattern against a black background. The colors blend softly, giving a sense of motion and lightness.

Blurred close-up image of a flower with soft, pale petals radiating outward against a black background, creating an abstract, glowing effect.

Abstract image featuring soft, blurred shapes radiating outward in shades of pink and white, resembling glowing petals or spikes on a flower, with a luminous center.

Abstract image featuring clusters of soft, glowing purple and pink cone-like shapes on a dark background, creating a dreamy and surreal atmosphere. The shapes are blurred and appear to be floating or moving gently.

Abstract image featuring streaks of blue and purple light, creating a dynamic, blurred pattern that evokes motion and energy against a dark background.

Abstract close-up image featuring soft, turquoise-white spikes radiating outward, creating a dreamy, glowing effect with a hint of pink at the center against a dark background.

Bright, abstract image featuring glowing red and orange spikes radiating outward, creating a dynamic burst of light with a soft, blurred effect in the background.

Red fireworks burst in the night sky, creating two bright, spiky circular patterns with glowing points of light radiating outward against a black background.

Abstract close-up image featuring blurred, glowing orange shapes with soft edges, creating a warm, radiant effect against a dark background. The shapes resemble petals or flame tips.

Abstract image showing blurred, colorful lights in shades of pink, purple, blue, green, and orange on a black background, creating a vibrant, glowing pattern on the right side of the frame.

Abstract close-up image showing rows of pointed, orange and green shapes resembling cactus spines or soft spikes, with a gradient of light and shadow creating depth and a soft, blurred background.

Abstract image featuring vibrant, cone-shaped spikes in pink, red, yellow, and soft green tones, with glowing highlights, creating a dynamic, colorful, and slightly blurred visual effect.

Close-up of an orange, spiky object on the left side, with a soft green and teal background featuring glowing, heart-shaped patterns. The image is abstract and visually vibrant.

Abstract image with a cluster of blue and purple blurry light shapes resembling glowing starbursts or flowers, set against a solid black background. The lights create a dreamy, out-of-focus effect.

Abstract image with colorful, spiky shapes resembling bursts of light or fireworks in shades of red, green, pink, and white against a dark background. The lights are soft and blurred, creating a dreamy effect.

A bright, spiky, abstract yellow-orange shape with glowing tips set against a black background, giving a soft, radiant appearance with hints of pink on some of the spikes.

Abstract image featuring layered, glowing pink shapes resembling flower petals, with bright yellow and orange light spots scattered throughout, set against a dark background.

Abstract image with soft, colorful lights in shades of pink, red, white, and green, creating a blurred, glowing effect against a dark black background. The lights form a profile-like shape on the left side.

Abstract image featuring a burst of sharp, blue and purple spikes radiating from a bright central point, set against a dark background. The overall effect resembles a glowing, spiky flower or a starburst pattern.

A professional camera mounted on a tripod is set up outdoors near a railing, capturing a scenic sunset with soft pastel skies and a streetlamp in the background.Kim’s setup.

It took Kim four years to figure out the correct technique. “There was a lot of trial and error,” he says. “I had to start from scratch, find the right equipment, such as the lens, tripod head, and accessories.”

“I’ve been shooting fireworks at Coney Island for more than eight years,” he adds. “And now I want to travel around the world to shoot different fireworks. I don’t want to shoot from the same locations over and over again, as that will eventually limit my creativity and vision. Besides, it’s a good way to justify traveling around the world, so hopefully, I can make that happen.”

Earlier this year, PetaPixel featured the work of photographer Bryan Szucs, who uses a similar technique to Kim. He explained that it was after seeing an article on PetaPixel about creatively capturing fireworks that he decided to pursue the technique.

More of Kim’s work can be found on his website and Instagram.

Image credits: Photographs by Benjamin Sunkyong Kim