The best part about making money with your photos is that you only have to own a camera and computer!  You do not have to spend thousands of dollars on high end developing, or print screening equipment in order to start making some extra spending money.

Print On Demand Services

These types of services allow you to upload your photographs and earn a commission when your products sell.  You can design practically any type of products you can think of, from t-shirts, hats, coffee mugs, stationery, and a wide range of other choices.  These products will contain your artwork and when an order is placed, you will earn a percentage of the total cost.  It’s a no fuss way to earn money from your work, without having to deal with refunds, exchanges, and other customer support issues.

Zazzle.com – Zazzle features a ‘Name Your Royalty’ program where you determine how much you are paid on the sale of your products.  Zazzle’s incentive program is based on the price of the product being sold.  If the coffee mug sells for $10.95 through Zazzle, and you want to earn $6 from the sale, you would have to list the price at $16.95.  Zazzle’s pay structure goes much further in depth, so if you are interested, you need to make sure you understand how you are going to be paid, to make sure you are getting the most money for your time.

CafePress.com – CafePress allows you to setup a store that houses your entire product line.  Anytime you want to add new art, or product designs, you can simply add a few new ones to your stores lineup.  CafePress sets a base fee to each type of product, and you are then paid a commission for anything over the base price.  Much in the same way Zazzle operates, if you sell a mug worth $10.95, and want a $6 commission, you will have to raise your prices to $16.95.

Stock Photo Websites

Online databases of photographs are available to different people who need to use them for productions.  From web developers, writers, artists, journalists, newspapers, and magazines, there is a huge market looking for pictures of fireworks to use in their own publications.  As these photos sell, you are paid a percentage for commission.

BigStockPhoto.com – Big Stock Photo operates on a credit structure, where publishers will purchase a certain amount of credits, and depending on the resolution of the photo they are purchasing, will use the credits to pay.  Higher resolution photos will require more credits being spent, but Big Stock Photo pays you $0.50 per credit that the publisher spends.  This is one of the best commission structures on the market today, so if you are interested in making some money from your artwork, Big Stock Photo is a great resource.

Fotolia.com – Much like Big Stock Photo, Fotolia allows publishers to purchase credits, which, when used, pay you a percentage of the commission.  Fotolia is lower among the stock photo websites when comparing pay structure, only offering 33% or $0.33 per credit spent.  They do have a very large traffic base, which means that your pictures will sell, however.  Even though you may not make as much as you would on Big Stock Photo, Fotolia is still a great avenue to earn some extra cash.

Most times, these programs are created and marketed specifically to higher end designers, so it is easy to see how you can become confused.  Thankfully, though, there are a couple free options that help you edit your fireworks photos without having to break the bank.  If you are just starting out into photography and photo editing, you will want to use a free program to determine whether or not you are truly interested.

The GIMP – FREE

The GiMP has been ported from Linux and Unix, but is quickly making a scene on Windows and Mac operating systems.  With an open source community backing The GiMP, it is continually being developed with the latest features and graphics editing technology.  Even though most cross-platform ports of graphics software have ended miserably in the past, the open source development team behind The GiMP is top notch, and ensures that the software remains bug-free.

Because The GiMP is cross-platform, meaning it works on multiple operating systems, you can install the different varieties on a thumb or flash drive, and carry it to different work environments.  Regardless of which operating system you are using, you will have a powerful graphics editing software in your pocket.  There is a steeper learning curve with GIMP, though.  With its recent breakthrough into the markets, it doesn’t have quite the community or commercial support as some older, more expensive programs, but The GiMP is still a great, free entry-level program.

Microsoft Paint.NET – FREE

How many times have you tried to edit your photos in Microsoft Paint, only to realize that it completely chops the photo, leaving it unrecognizable in some cases?  Some alumni at Microsoft felt the same way, and took steps to bring Paint.NET to the markets.  Even though the program is freeware, you are still able to receive commercial backing from Microsoft.  They spend money to ensure that Paint.NET runs better, and has the options that you need.  As far as entry-level programs are concerned, if you work on a Windows platform, Paint.NET is an excellent choice.

Adobe Photoshop Elements – $80  windows mac

If you have already used some of the free programs, or feel that you need to spend money in order to get the most use from the software, you could also consider Adobe’s Photoshop Elements.  It does have an $80 price tag, but if you are serious about photo editing, and want to eventually upgrade to the professional line of Adobe tools, Elements is a great starting point.

The $80 price tag does get you great support from Adobe, as well as a large community full of fans like yourself.  Guided tutorials help to lessen the learning curve, which helps you edit and share your photos much faster.  There are even bookstores that have entire sections devoted solely to Photoshop and other Adobe products.

Tip #7 – Shoot At  A Low ISO.   Your film speed greatly effects the quality of shots you’re able to capture.  By using a slower speed such as ISO 100, you’ll make sure that every shot you take is properly exposed.

Tip #8 – Shut Off Your Flash. The flash of your camera may be considered useless in these types of situations.  Because the fireworks are at such a far distance, your flash will never actually reach them, and when it does, there will be nothing to illuminate.  Having your flash turned on also alerts the camera to close the shutter much faster, usually timed in accordance with the flash itself.  To avoid this, simply turn it off, and make sure that you adjust your shutter speed to compensate.

Tip #9 – Shoot The Photos In Manual Mode.  A lot of cameras like to boast that they carry the best auto-focusing features, but in order to take crystal clear fireworks pictures, you’re going to need to get out of the habit of allowing the computers to think for you.  Set the camera to manual exposure and focus modes, so that you retain complete control over the shot.

Tip #10 – Try Different Settings And Track Your Results. Out of all of these tips, by far, the best one is to test different settings and determine what works best for you.  All digital cameras on the market are different, and because of this, some of the terms, or settings that we mentioned may not be the same on your unit.  By practicing your shots, and spending a good portion of your time behind the lens, you’ll ensure that you are familiar with your camera, and then you can change settings around to figure out which ones provide clearer shots.

As you can see, taking pictures of fireworks that turn out to be visually appealing can be time consuming, but once you have developed your skills, they will be carried on for life.  Taking pictures of fireworks is probably one of the harder subjects you can choose to film, but if you’re into digital photography at all, it’s a skill that should be mastered as soon as possible.

Tip #1 – Use A Tripod. Your hands moving around while you’re taking the shot is one of the major causes for blurry photos.  To avoid this, you’ll want to secure your camera to something like a tripod that doesn’t move.  Using the longer shutter length required for taking photos of fireworks means that you’ll have an increased time to not only shoot the photo, but also capture any slight movements with your hands.  This can lead to incredibly chopped up photos, that include more blur than anything else.  It can easily be avoided by using a tripod, rather than attempting to get the shot while holding the camera in your hand.

Tip #2 – Consider Using A Remote Release. Using either the camera’s self timer, or a remote release accessory, you’ll be able to get the shot without ever having to touch the camera.  This is great, because when you first start the shot, you could potentially move the camera off its original position, which will in turn cause a bad shot when you’re ready to develop the film.  A remote release trigger can be hit from a distance, rather than actually being next to the camera.  Once you’ve lined up the shot properly, either set the self timer, or hit the button on your remote.

Tip #3 – Frame Your Shot Before You Snap It.  Anticipation and preparation are key to getting the visually stimulating shots that a good fireworks photographer can provide.  In order to ensure that you receive opportunities to get the best shots, it’s advised to scope out the location of the show a day or two before it actually begins.  You’re going to want to look for a place where you can get a clear, wide view of the entire display.  This extra planning and coordination will ensure that your pictures come out crystal clear, rather than having to fight with the camera to find the perfect shot.  Distance is your friend in this case.

Tip #4 – Adjust Your Focal Length For The Shot.  If you are tightly focused on the skies, you may end up missing out on shots, or ending up with shots that are only half of the screen.  While they do still make for some excellent photos, you probably didn’t mean for it to happen, and would much rather include the entire firework display inside of the shot.  Make sure that you adjust your focal length to take the shot at a wide angle, that can be edited once you get back to the computer.  This tip does take some time to get used to, but once you do, it really pays off in the detail of your work.

Thankfully, you don’t have to go this route, because purchasing a high quality digital camera and spending plenty of time taking shots, you can actually learn how to get the correct exposure without too much extra work.  In order to take the best photos, you’ll first have to start with a high quality digital camera that is loaded with features.  It may take you some time to figure all the features out, but to give yourself the best head start, here are 10 digital cameras that take excellent fireworks pictures.

Canon Digital Rebel XSi – This 12.2 megapixel camera provides stunning visual displays through the use of its 18-55mm EF-s IS lens.  The large resolution allows you to print crystal clear poster size photos, while still maintaining the crisp image on smaller sized prints.  A 3.0” LCD display helps give an accurate visual representation of the shot you’re trying to get, so you no longer have to play guess work on smaller monitors.  Also included is Cannon’s Digic III image processor that provides you fast and accurate image processing, as well as an internal EOS cleaning system to make sure all of your shots are perfect.

Canon PowerShot SD890IS – The 10 megapixel digital camera provides you with a 5x digital stabilized zoom, which helps beginner photographers with their shaky hands.  The 10 megapixel CCD lens captures a high level of detail, which is able to display an accurate representation on even larger sized prints;  up to poster size.  With face detection, and motion detection, the camera can automatically eliminate blur from your shots, which is quite typical when shooting fireworks.  The 2.5” PureColor LCD screen is bright, with accurate colors and a wide viewing screen gives you a clear picture of the shot before you hit the shutter button.  You can save your images to either SD, MMC, or MMC Plus memory cards.

Canon Powershot SX20IS – Canon does a good job at taking over the top 10 list, again with the PowerShot SX20IS 12.1 megapixel digital camera.  They’ve included a 20x wide angle optical zoom, with image stabilization and a 2.5” articulating LCD display.  This isn’t just a digital camera though, because you can actually record HD video in modes up to 720p resolution.  HDMI output connects allow for incredibly easy playback using your computer or television.  The new Digic 4 Image processor and 12.1MP lens ensures that you take only the highest quality photo prints.  Supports SD and SDHC memory cards, though not included.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ35 – Panasonic finally lands on the list, with their Lumix model DMC-FZ35.  This 12.1 megapixel resolution camera boasts a sporty 27mm wide angle Leica Vario lens, with an 18x optical zoom to get in close on shots.  HD movies can be recorded up to 1280×720 resolution, or 720p format.  A 2.7” LCD TrueColor display helps you get a clear image of the shot before you close the shutter.  With the ability to capture images and video to both SD and SDHC memory cards, you won’t have to spend a lot of money on multiple storage options.

Nikon D90 SLR – At 12.3 megapixels, with a GX CMOS imaging sensor, crystal clear photos are a shutter snap away.  You have to purchase separate lenses, which means that you’ll need to understand the terms used to describe features on them, but once you’ve made the purchase, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the clarity provided.  Had the lenses been included, this camera may have ended up higher on the list than it did.  A 3” super density LCD display helps you view the 24fps HD video while you’re shooting it, as well as providing a visual representation of the shot you’re about to snap.

Nikon D5000 DX SLR – This digital camera sports 12.3 megapixels like the D90, but only has a 2.7” display, rather than a full 3”.  A vari-angle LCD display allows you to see the monitor from virtually any angle.  Included are two lenses, an 18-55mm VR lens, and a 55-20mm F4 ED DX Nikkor lens.  The Speedlight flash ensures that you capture every pixel in the photo, while the EL9 Li-On battery provides an incredible life span.  The camera even includes a DVD to help introduce you to the wonderful world of photography, straight from Nikon themselves.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS3 – At 10.1 megapixels, if you’re looking to take crystal clear fireworks pictures, then you may want to consider the DMC-ZS3.  It boats a huge 3” LCD monitor with MEGA optical image stabilization, to ensure that you receive accurate, blur free photos.  A 12x wide angle zoom allows you to get in close to your shot, no matter how far away from it you are.  Intelligent face recognition helps you center the photos, and when you’re ready to save, you can use either SD or SDHC memory cards.  They’re not included with the camera, but prices on these cards aren’t too outrageously expensive.

Sony DSC-HX5V – The Sony Cybershot DSC-HX5V packs in a 3.0” LCD display with a 10x wide angle optical zoom to provide you crystal clear photos from any distance.  Getting a visual representation of the frame will help to ensure that you are taking the entire shot, rather than cutting off the top, bottom, or sides of it.  Image stabilization helps to make sure that there is no blur, which is quite typical when trying to shoot photos of fireworks displays.  The camera sports an internal 45MB memory which may not be good for video, but should hold plenty of photos.  A wide range of recording media is supported from SD and SDHC, to Memory stick and Memory Stick Duo cards.

Canon EOS 7D – Boasting an amazing 18 megapixels, this is probably one of the clearest producing cameras on our list.  The digital SLR camera not only provides you with 18 megapixel prints, but also a CMOS sensor and dual Digic processors to provide amazingly fast image speed, and super high quality.  An advanced HD move mode with selectable frame rates, and manual exposure and zoom controls ensure that you get just the shot you were meaning to.  Intelligent view finder allows you to see the entire picture, instead of a cut off version of what is going to be shot.  Supports CF card types I and II, and UDMA compliant CF cards.
Canon VIXIA HF S100 – This isn’t necessarily a digital camera, but instead, a full blown camcorder with digital camera capabilities.  You’re able to record full video in crisp HD signals, and save them directly to your SDHC memory cards.  A 10x HD video lens with SuperRange image stabilization software means that even when you are zoomed in fully to the shot, that movements in your hands will not be transmitted through to the video.  Comes with a nice 8.0 megapixel camera as well, for delivering stunning and crystal clear fireworks pictures.  Record the whole show with this camcorder.
As you can see, the list is pretty extensive in terms of which camera may be right for you to shoot photos of fireworks with.  If you still can’t decide, even after reading this list, you’ll want to spend some time researching each model that we’ve provided.  You’re going to want to make sure that whatever camera you purchase has a high enough megapixel rating to ensure quality shots every time.  The memory cards that are supported range from incredibly cheap, to astronomically expensive, so you’ll need to account for those costs while you are planning the purchase.  At most Internet vendors, you’ll be able to find deals on the supported memory cards located just below the camera.  This helps to keep you from getting too confused with the wide range of terms given to media memory.
As far as taking crystal clear pictures are concerned, having a high quality camera will give you the best chances, but you are still going to have to educate yourself some.  One of the cameras we reviewed includes a DVD from the manufacturer to help you get started, but if you end up purchasing a different model, you’ll need to play for either a lot of time behind the lens, or getting into some local photography classes.  The learning curve can be quite steep, but if you are wanting to take high quality fireworks pictures, then you’re going to need to devote some time to the hobby.  Unfortunately, digital photography is a hobby that most people can pick up, but only a few people will ever truly master.  Good luck with your photography and we wish you great exposures on your next batch of fireworks pictures!