Mark Aksoy
July 2026 - "Cannon Fire at Fort Mifflin"
About the Image(s)
How I Did It -
This is an image from a demonstration of cannon fire and other lighting effects at Revolutionary War Fort Mifflin, which guards the southern approach to Philadelphia on the Delaware River. I photographed this image on a tripod with my Nikon D750 plus Nikon 24-120 mm lens at 45mm, f/11, 10 sec, ISO100, and 1 stop under meter reading. It was a long exposure to make sure I caught the flash of the cannon. In Lightroom, I adjusted exposure, saturation, and clarity, then removed several background distractions in PS.
5 comments posted
Hi, Mark,
Thank you for this July 4th-ish image ! It reminds me of times I visited Valley Forge where much of the Revolution took place and I lived close by.
I love how you captured the cannon fire -- very creative -- I would not have known how to do that ! Ten seconds - long exposure - good thinking. Your exposure and settings really were well thought out. I'd like to see the scrawny trees on the hill removed, but otherwise I think you did a great job of capturing this event ! (I hope the woman was wearing earplugs.) Posted: 07/07/2026 22:18:34
Thank you for this July 4th-ish image ! It reminds me of times I visited Valley Forge where much of the Revolution took place and I lived close by.
I love how you captured the cannon fire -- very creative -- I would not have known how to do that ! Ten seconds - long exposure - good thinking. Your exposure and settings really were well thought out. I'd like to see the scrawny trees on the hill removed, but otherwise I think you did a great job of capturing this event ! (I hope the woman was wearing earplugs.) Posted: 07/07/2026 22:18:34
I don't mind the trees. The subject itself draws you in and I think the trees help define the hill and dark space behind her. Posted: 07/10/2026 00:09:41
An excellent image, Mark. Excellent exposure, composition and long shutter speed. I wouldn't change a thing. In a future month, I'll have to put in my cannon shot from a different error, the Civil War in the Shenandoah Valley against the Union Troops from Penn. Posted: 07/09/2026 02:35:46
(Groups 21 & 42 & 71)
Mark, this is an outstanding image-especially considering how difficult it is to capture a scene like this so successfully. Your 10-second long exposure is executed beautifully, and the crop is absolutely spot on. I'm genuinely amazed that the woman remains so sharp with such a long exposure; that's no small feat.
The image has tremendous visual impact and immediately draws the viewer in. The composition is strong, balanced, and full of interest, with every element working together perfectly. This is an exceptional photograph, and I honestly wouldn't change a thing. Posted: 07/09/2026 23:13:38
The image has tremendous visual impact and immediately draws the viewer in. The composition is strong, balanced, and full of interest, with every element working together perfectly. This is an exceptional photograph, and I honestly wouldn't change a thing. Posted: 07/09/2026 23:13:38
Great image. Love it. I also like the trees on the hill. Posted: 07/12/2026 01:22:28