Monday, July 7, 2014

Not From The Hubble Space Telescope

4th of July In Webster Groves 2014 15

We had a nearly perfect viewpoint for the Webster Groves fireworks.  Just on the edge of the infield dirt of the baseball diamond so there was no one for more than a hundred feet behind me. I could stand behind my tripod and not block anyone's view.

Some of my shots used the crowd and carnival rides for scale. For others I shot straight into the blackness. The results reminded me of pictures from the Hubble Space Telescope. Well, loosely.

The formula for shooting fireworks isn't complicated. I found it on the Web years ago. Sturdy tripod. (Don't even think about handheld.) Cable shutter release. 100 ISO, f 11, bulb mode. Open the shutter when you think the explosion is about to pop and close it as the brightness starts to fade (this can be a few seconds but easier said than done). Don't leave the shutter open very long during the big finale or you'll get lots of blown out highlights. The technique worked for these.                          

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4th of July In Webster Groves 2014 19

4th of July In Webster Groves 2014 20

4th of July In Webster Groves 2014 18

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13 comments:

Sharon said...

You got some really good fireworks shots. When I was working there back in the 90's, I would stand on the roof of the Mansion House to watch the fireworks over the arch. It was a superb location for viewing the show.

To answer your question, I use Corel Paint Shop Pro and one of the effects it has is Kaleidoscope. I love it.

Halcyon said...

Lights in the sky - so pretty!

Memphis MOJO said...

Fireworks are tough to do a good job with -- nice!

Luis Gomez said...

Bob, you have that technique down. Great job!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Fab fireworks Bob, I'm coming back to reread this when I'm next taking any fireworks shots :)

Birdman said...

BOOM!

cieldequimper said...

Numbers 2 and 5 are my favourites and never in a million years will I master that technique...

William Kendall said...

So that's how it's done!

Mine didn't turn out... Beautiful shots!

Jack said...

You got them again this year. I will be away next Saturday when the Hartford fireworks are held, so I will have to try again in 2015.

BTW, well-made papier mache is said to be more stable and permanent than wood would be. That is why the good Russian boxes are made from it.

Virginia said...

I have looked at both posts and again wish we had been together so I could learn from you. I stayed on the sofa as my fireworks photos stink. YOURS do not.
V

Virginia said...

I have looked at both posts and again wish we had been together so I could learn from you. I stayed on the sofa as my fireworks photos stink. YOURS do not.
V

Virginia said...

I have looked at both posts and again wish we had been together so I could learn from you. I stayed on the sofa as my fireworks photos stink. YOURS do not.
V

TheChieftess said...

Ditto to Virginia!!! Great shots!!!