Tom Carnahan  


A Day to Remember by Tom Carnahan

July 2017 - A Day to Remember

About the Image(s)

Photo data July 4th 2017
9:40 PM ( Between thunder showers)
Shutter Speed 2 Sec.
Focal Length f5.6
ISO 400
Lens 18-250 mm Tamron

How I took the Photo

Set up on top of a 4 story garage with a clear view of Tampa bay.
The fireworks started at 9:30 PM and lasted about 10 minutes with no idea what the next display would hold for the spectators. Bursts came with single bursts, multiple bursts and several bursts in very rapid succession.

Had the test shots taken at 8:30 to 9:00 PM with tests at 1/60th of a sec to 3.2. sec. Anticipated using several different speeds but settled down with using 2 sec to 3.2 sec. Timing the shutter opening time was about 3 seconds after the shell left the ground which can be detected by a dull thud and waiting for a second sharper report when the shell explodes . I used a cable release to minimize any shutter release vibration.

The wind was going from left to right and pushed the display in that direction adding some dimension to the shot. The lights under the display are of the marina and they were left in to give perspective to the size of the fireworks . Next time I may try multiple frames per sec. to capture the full development of the burst .

Processing time between each new burst cuts down the number of different bursts that can be captured. This same issue happens when the use of the time lapse exposure is used.


This round’s discussion is now closed!
7 comments posted




Linda M Medine   Linda M Medine
(Group 77)
I love fireworks. Good Impact. I would have put a little more color in the fireworks.   Posted: 07/09/2017 17:29:38
Comment Image



 
Linda, tried adding colors to the fireworks but adding substantial red, orange and yellow hew, plus saturtion and luminosity of the same 3 colors did not change anything but minor changes to the tips of the burst. The burst is a gold fountain with the tips as shown. Thanks for the suggestion but could not aqueeze any more out of the photo.   Posted: 07/16/2017 15:57:56



Mark McKinney   Mark McKinney
You did well with this. I never have any luck with fireworks. Good Job!   Posted: 07/18/2017 15:06:23



 
This is a well thought out image. I like the way you have captured the rocket, the burst and the sparks drifting back to earth.   Posted: 07/18/2017 18:11:33



Lane B Lewis   Lane B Lewis
Boom! You got a nice clear shot! I really don't think you need all the background and in my opinion might do a tighter crop. Good job.   Posted: 07/24/2017 09:33:50



 
I am jealous!! I can never get good fireworks shots and believe me I have tried. Nice shot.   Posted: 07/24/2017 14:09:54



Harley Rubens   Harley Rubens
It seems I missed commenting on this shot. Just noticed. I have not shot fireworks yet so the difficulty of this shot is not clear to me. It seems simple and clean. Not as exciting as I would imagine it could have been in person. Dead middle composition does not seem that interesting. You got a nice stop action though. Next series should be interesting to see.   Posted: 07/30/2017 00:21:04