Sparklers tend to be recorded as a pale yellow trail, but you don't have to be restricted to this monotone finish. Lets add some colour on the sparkler picture we took yesterday.

Software needed
Any software that has a paint brush option with a blend mode setting.

Step 1: Open your sparkler photo

Open in your image editing program. I'm using Photoshop but most will have similar features. Magnify the image so it fills the screen.

Step 2: Choose the brush size

Select a brush with a size just bigger than the main trail width of the sparkler - excluding all the thin sparkling strands.

Step 3: Select the Overlay Blend mode

Select the Overlay blend mode from the brush options. When you paint with this mode  itwill make sure paint just goes on the light areas and the black background is unaffected.

Step 4: Pick a colour and paint

Choose a bright colour paint for the brush and start to paint over the trail and the loose sparks. Go a little way around the trail and then change colour and paint  some more. Keep doing this until you reach the other end of the trail. You will now have a rainbow style painted trail.


I never claimed to be a painter, but you get the idea. You can, of course, do variations, painting it all one colour or two tone. You can even try using different blend modes. Some give very graphic cartoon style, others give a more surreal effect. Some just paint over the trail and background and are ones to avoid.

Whether you're a beginner looking for a compact camera or a pro in the market for a high-end DSLR visit Nikon – the company who has photographic gear to suit everyone.