Honestly, the Firework Isles update in Infinity Nikki is basically a dream for anyone who spends more time in Photo Mode than actually questing. But there's this one specific challenge—the one where you need to take a photo with the grand fireworks show—that is tripping everyone up. It sounds like a "blink and you'll miss it" situation, and in a way, it kind of is. If you don't snap that picture during the right quest moment, you’re looking at a massive bill of in-game currency just to see it again.
I’ve seen people on Reddit losing their minds because they finished the quest, watched the show, and then realized they forgot to pull out Momo’s camera. Don't be that person. Here is the actual, no-nonsense way to get that shot and finish your Strings of Time tasks without wasting 50,000 Bling.
The One Quest You Can't Skip
You can't just wander onto the Firework Isles and expect a massive pyrotechnic display to start. This isn't a scheduled theme park show that happens every night at 8 PM. To trigger the "Grand" version of the show—the one that actually counts for the challenge—you have to progress through the Chapter 2 Exclusive Quest line called When Fireworks Bloom.
Specifically, you’re looking for the sub-quest A Night of Fireworks.
This is the climax of the Firework Isles story. Nikki and Momo head to the bridge, the music swells, and the sky lights up. This is your primary window. Most players get the shot here because the game basically nudges you to do it. But if you’re too busy staring at how pretty the lighting is on Nikki’s dress, you might forget to hit the shutter.
What if I already finished the quest?
This is where things get annoying. If you’ve already finished "A Night of Fireworks" and didn't take the photo, the show doesn't just repeat itself for free. You have to go find an NPC named Scintillada.
She’s usually hanging out right by the Sizzle and Spark Center Warp Spire in the middle of Sparkheart Island. She’ll offer to put on the show again for you, but she is essentially a highway robber. She wants:
- 50,000 Bling
- 30 Blastpollen
That is a lot of resources for a five-minute photo op. If you're low on cash, I’d honestly suggest skipping this specific challenge and doing the easier ones, like setting off 30 "Surprise" portable fireworks or crafting the Cloudborne Cranes bracelet. But if you're a completionist, pay the lady and get your camera ready.
Nailing the Shot in Photo Mode
Taking a "good" photo in this game is easy; taking a "great" one with fireworks is a bit more technical. The fireworks in the grand show move fast. If you just tap the photo button, you might end up with a dark sky and a few stray sparks.
- Use the "Luminous Bloom" Prop: This was added in the New Bloom Festival update. It adds a specific glow to Nikki that makes her stand out against the dark night sky.
- Adjust the Focal Length: Don't stay zoomed all the way out. Pull the camera in a bit so Nikki takes up about a third of the frame, but leave enough "negative space" above her for the big bursts.
- The Bridge Spot: The bridge leading to the Flaming Forest is the "official" viewing spot, but the best angles are often from the Crescent Shoal side looking back toward the Sparkheart center. You get more of the reflection on the water that way.
- Wait for the Big One: The show has a rhythm. Don't waste your time on the small sparks. Wait for the finale—the massive multi-colored bursts—to hit the capture button.
Avoid These Common Mistakes
I've seen a lot of players try to take a photo of the "normal" fireworks you craft yourself and wonder why the challenge isn't completing. The game distinguishes between a "Launch Tube" show and the Grand Fireworks Show. If you are just loading up a blue tube with fireworks you made at the crafting station, it won't trigger the Melodic Harmony points for the event. It has to be the scripted show from the quest or the one you pay Scintillada to trigger.
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Also, check your Camera Mode settings. If you have "Hide NPCs" or "Hide Interactive Elements" turned on, sometimes it can make the scene feel a bit empty. For this specific shot, you want the environment to feel alive.
Quick Summary Checklist
- Check your quest log for When Fireworks Bloom.
- Reach the A Night of Fireworks quest step.
- Equip a high-quality outfit (the Fiery Glow set looks amazing under the sparks).
- Go to the bridge and open Momo's Camera as soon as the cutscene ends.
- If you missed it: Go to Scintillada at the Sparkheart Island Warp Spire and pay the 50k Bling.
Once you have the photo, you'll see the notification for the Strings of Time challenge completion. You don't even need to save the photo to your device, though why wouldn't you? The lighting in this update is some of the best the game has ever seen.
Next Steps for Your Wardrobe:
After you finish the fireworks photo, go back to the Fireworks Crafting Station south of the Sizzle and Spark Center. If you craft 50 fireworks of purple quality or higher, you'll unlock the sketch for the Momo 'Fireworks' cloak, which is probably the cutest accessory in the version 1.2 update. Don't forget to trade your Whimballoons with Vita while you're there; she's got the sketches for the more elaborate firework patterns that look much better in your personal photoshoots.