[Taipei] 2023 Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival Photography Guide | 8 Fireworks Shows Dates, Locations, and Transportation Information

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The 2023 Dadaocheng Fireworks Festival is entering its final countdown! This year, the Dadaocheng fireworks will take place from July 1st to August 20th, with eight consecutive fireworks shows. Whether on weekdays or weekends, fireworks enthusiasts can enjoy spectacular displays every week!

Due to the impact of two consecutive typhoons, the originally scheduled fireworks shows on July 26th and August 2nd have been postponed to August 9th and August 16th, respectively. These shows will feature 360 seconds of dazzling fireworks to welcome both domestic and international visitors. The grand finale on August 20th will showcase a 480-second large-scale high-altitude fireworks display.

Every year around the Qixi Festival, the Taipei City Government hosts the Taipei Dadaocheng Lovers Fireworks event. The Dadaocheng fireworks show is a major highlight of the event and one of Taipei’s annual grand occasions. This article not only takes you through the brilliant performances of Dadaocheng fireworks over the years but also provides information on how to get to the fireworks site, recommended shooting locations, and more. Additionally, since Philos has photographed the Dadaocheng fireworks several times, some simple photography tips will be included to help everyone capture beautiful fireworks!

2023 Dadaocheng Lovers Fireworks Show Information

The 2023 Dadaocheng Lovers Fireworks Show has been upgraded to the “2023 Dadaocheng Summer Festival.” The event runs from July 1st to August 20th, spanning 51 days with exciting themes and eight consecutive fireworks shows, allowing for weekly fireworks photography! For more information, keep an eye on the official announcements from the Taipei City Department of Information and Tourism.

Transportation to 2023 Dadaocheng Fireworks Shows

Due to the large crowds that gather to watch the Dadaocheng fireworks show every year, the organizers implement traffic control measures around the surrounding areas. It is recommended to take the MRT to nearby stations and then walk to the Dadaocheng fireworks show venue or viewing locations.

Transportation from Taipei City’s “Dadaocheng Wharf” Side

• Take the MRT Songshan-Xindian Line (Green Line) to “Beimen” Station, Exit 3. Walk for about 12-15 minutes to reach the Dadaocheng fireworks launch site.
• Take the MRT Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Orange Line) to “Daqiaotou” Station, Exit 2. Walk for about 14-18 minutes to reach the Dadaocheng fireworks launch site.
• Take the Tamsui-Xinyi Line (Red Line) of the MRT to Shuanglian Station, Exit 2, and walk for about 16-20 minutes to reach the Dadaocheng fireworks display site.

From New Taipei City’s Zhongxiao Wharf, here’s how to get to the Dadaocheng fireworks display

• Take the Zhonghe-Xinlu Line (Orange Line) of the MRT to Cailiao Station, Exit 2, and walk for about 15-18 minutes to reach the Dadaocheng fireworks display site.

Preparation for photographing Dadaocheng fireworks

As the saying goes, “To do a good job, one must first sharpen one’s tools.” While you don’t necessarily need a DSLR or mirrorless camera to photograph fireworks, a camera that allows for bulb mode shooting is essential. However, DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, with their interchangeable lenses, offer advantages. Given the varying heights and widths of fireworks displays, choosing the right lens for the venue can make a significant difference.

Based on Philos’s past experience photographing Dadaocheng fireworks, a wide-angle lens like 14-30mm is preferred. Additionally, a lens with a focal length of 24-120mmis carried as a backup, with adjustments made based on the shooting location and conditions on the day. Besides the camera and lens choices, using a tripod is crucial to avoid hand shake during long exposures. If available, a shutter release cable and a black card are also recommended. The former facilitates bulb mode shooting, while the latter can help control exposure time to prevent overexposure and manage the fireworks’ trails (more on this later).

Dadaocheng fireworks photography tutorial

The weather on the day of the fireworks is a major factor in the success of your photos. Ideal conditions are clear skies with a slight breeze, though such perfect weather is rare and often depends on luck accumulated over time.

Shutter speed and aperture settings for fireworks photography are as follows:

● Set the shutter to bulb mode or adjust it to 8-10 seconds. Since a single firework burst lasts about 3-5 seconds, this shutter speed helps avoid overexposure. If you don’t have a shutter release cable, use a 2-second timer to prevent hand shake.

● For the aperture, set it between F9 and F13 to ensure clarity and detail. A large aperture can cause overexposure, while a small aperture can reduce image quality (depending on the lens).

● Set the ISO between 100 and 200.

Before shooting, use autofocus to focus on a distant object, then switch the lens to manual mode to lock the focus. Now, you just have to wait for the fireworks to start. For more practical tips and tutorials on fireworks photography, refer to the extended reading below.

Dadaocheng Fireworks Photography Records and Tips

Below are some records and photos from past Dadaocheng fireworks shows, along with some tips and explanations on the photography process.

Before the fireworks officially start, I usually take a landscape photo. This is to ensure that if the fireworks photos don’t turn out well, I can enhance the final product with some post-processing. However, the following photos have not been edited or composited, so there won’t be any related tutorials. If you’re really interested, feel free to leave a comment…

The first firework burst is often the most important. It has the least interference from smoke and helps determine the fireworks’ position, allowing for angle adjustments. For example, in the photo below, the fireworks are positioned on the left side of the frame, causing an imbalance and extending beyond the frame. It’s crucial to adjust the shooting angle quickly rather than continuing to shoot without correction.

Here are a few photos that turned out well, without going into detail about the fireworks…

Lastly, let’s talk about the “tails” of fireworks. The so-called tails are the trails recorded when fireworks are launched from the ground to the sky, captured due to the slow shutter speed. This creates a light trail from bottom to top in the image. Whether to include the tails is subjective; they can showcase the dynamic launch of the fireworks and add elements to the picture. However, poor shutter control can sometimes cause the tails to interfere with the image, leading to imperfections. Here are some examples from this shoot:

To avoid capturing the tails, although still learning, my initial tip is to use a black card to cover the lens during the ascent of the fireworks, then remove it once the fireworks reach the sky. Alternatively, use timed shooting (about two seconds) to press the shutter during the ascent and capture the fireworks when they bloom, which can help avoid the tails.

In conclusion, photographing fireworks is an art. Besides preparation, the ability to adapt on-site is honed through repeated practice. While post-processing can enhance the images, capturing satisfying shots without post-editing is a unique joy for photography enthusiasts. This simple record and tutorial on Dadaocheng fireworks photography may not be perfect, but it reflects years of accumulated experience, offered for those interested in fireworks photography. If you have other suggestions, feel free to leave a comment.

『Original Source：https://www.phototravel.tw/dadaocheng-fireworks-festival-photography-teaching/』