Earlier this week, like almost everyone else in the US, we went to a fireworks show.  We’re pretty lucky: my in-laws live in a community that puts on a great one and we get to experience the booms and the bursts from a relatively comfortable vantage point.  (If you can call 90 degrees Fahrenheit “comfortable.”)  For the past 4 years, I’ve brought my camera and my tripod to photograph the display and I’ve always come away with a few fun shots.  But this year, I didn’t want the same-old, same-old.  I wanted a new spin on it.  I did a little reading and researched some firework images and found a technique that I wanted to try.  And boy, I’m glad I did, because I’m in love with all these images.

The secret sauce is the quick turn of the focus ring as the 1-2 second exposure was happening.  I had my camera on a tripod since there’s no way I could hand-hold an exposure that long.   I would wait for the sound of the launch and then try to time my shutter to catch the firework in mid-burst, moving from out of focus, to in-focus as quick as I could.  It took lots of trial and error and a little luck with the framing, but I’m so pleased with the results.  The combination of black contrasted against the bright saturated color makes me swoon.  Every attempt brought something so different.  The thrill and the surprise when the images loaded onto my screen had me giddy.  I shared one of the images on Instagram earlier this week because I was so excited, but I’ve saved the rest of them to share with YOU, here, now:This one makes me think of an exploding dahlia…

I see dandelion seeds blowing in the wind in this one…Balloons with their strings….

A sea anemone…

Glitter….

The Big Bang….

What do you see when you look at these?  Which one of these is your favorite?  Let me know in the comments!  If you’re not already, follow along with my adventures on Instagram.  Have a great weekend, my friends!

Hoping you find time to play – Angie