FIREWORKS

 The 4th of July is under two months away, but it will be here before we know it. In preparation for it, and to give everyone a chance to "practice," I thought I would share my long-trusted techniques with you. They have never let me down. And, yes, for some of the results, i.e., images, I may need to do some fine-tuning, like cropping and darkening the areas around the fireworks. With that, let's get started.

First, find out where the fireworks will be when you get there. In most cases, In most cases, the local newspaper or local radio stations will inform you as to where they they will be launched. Locate that area with your camera. Give yourself enough space (focal length) to cover part of the reflections (if any) and the highest point of the fireworks displays. This is an estimate at this point. You can always crop later if necessary.

Equipment needed: a tripod, zoom lens--example: between 18mm-200mm, depending on how close or far you are to the displays. A cable release or remote trigger. Set your camera's shutter to BULB. Set f/stop to roughly f/8--you might need to change to f/9 or f/10 during the evening, if the bursts come out too bright. You can shoot RAW, but I've shot JPEG Fine with excellent results. Set lens to manual focus and estimate your focus distance. Auto-focus can easily be tricked, with so much movement in the evening sky. You will also need a square or rectangular piece of opaque material--enough to cover the lens. Let's call this the "cover." Example: camera manual, small piece of poster board, etc. Make sure it's not thin and flimsy. In essence, that will be your shutter speed.

STEPS: Set up the camera's estimated position. Most shots work better vertically for me. Keep the lens cap on until it's time for the fireworks. When the first bursts start, look through your lens, notice where they go and how high they're going. Adjust the camera and focal length accordingly. Focus on near-infinity--you can tell if you got it right by displaying the first burst.

Now, the fun begins. With the cover on and your finger on the cable release/remote, when the next burst explodes, click the shutter while quickly removing the cover out of the way, then put it back within 1-3 seconds (experiment with the time during the evening). 

Throughout the night, experiment with two-three bursts: Click the shutter and remove the cover, then place it back, but leave the shutter open with your finger on the cable release or remote trigger. Take the cover off again when you see the next burst, then cover it up again. You just combined two bursts in your image! Repeat the process with three bursts, or with just single bursts. You'll be amazed. Have a fun 4th of July!

Below are several examples from past experiences. If you're in the northern Front Range in Colorado, Estes Park always has a great "Fourth" display! I have seen great displays in Branson, Missouri, Grand Lake, Colorado, and in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

So, read your local paper or listen to your local radio station and find out where the fireworks in your area will be launching from. Follow my steps above and have fun with it! 

If you live in the Hot Springs, Arkansas area, contact me for a field lesson before July 4th. 

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