Fourth of July Fire In the Sky
 

JHP_Fireworks_2152Fireworks and Lightpainting
 

I have only done one shoot of fireworks and that was for the 2014 Hood River 4th of July celebration.  So I suppose  it may go without mention that I really don't have very many "standard" images of fireworks that I love.   On this shoot I was having a good time tinkering with lens manipulation to create special effects with the light emitted from the explosions.  I hope you enjoy the following artistic pieces.  
 

JHP_Fireworks_2489-2Fireworks and Lightpainting
 

Camera techniques can vary widely when painting with light.  In the above image with the camera on a tripod I rotated the camera from left to right while the shutter was open.  I like the pattern it makes and the spindles of the main explosion that wrap like spider legs.
 

Information tidbit:  The American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) estimates that across the United States on July 4th, more than 14,000 fireworks displays light up the skies.
 

JHP_Fireworks_2486Fireworks and Lightpainting
 

I don't often see images of fireworks in black and white and that is probably because the colors are part of what makes them so fascinating.  But after getting board with the color images I converted this one to black and white and was very happy with the results.  The lines and texture with the solid black background provide a stark contrast.
 

JHP_Fireworks_2465Fireworks and Lightpainting
 

   I used a very long open exposure and of course a tripod to attain the multiple explosions and the good light trails on this image from the shoreline of the Columbia at Hood River.  I think this year my goal will be to find a nice spot with some elevation looking onto a city where I can get a nice nighttime landscape with the vibrant explosions and the city as a whole.   I will be sure to add those images to the gallery and let everyone know how it goes.  Wish me luck!  
 

JHP_Fireworks_2485Fireworks and Lightpainting
 

This image was taken using a telephoto lens and zooming out of the image with the shutter open.   I like the vibrant, sharp colors and the solid black background.  I think this would look great as a photo on canvas with some paint added to the top for texture.
 

JHP_Fireworks_2512Fireworks and Light painting
 

Have you wondered why we light fireworks on the 4th? Our nations first Independence Day Celebration took place on July 4th, 1777 and fireworks were certainly a part of the party.  The original, crude, illuminations of the first official celebration were nothing like the elaborate pyrotechnic shows of today but our Fourth of July celebrations carry on a long tradition that was proposed by John Adams  on July 3rd, 1776 in a letter he wrote to his wife: 
 

"It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews [Shows], Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more"
 

Thank goodness for his good idea 240 years ago!
 

JHP_Fireworks_2481Fireworks and Lightpainting
 

This particular image has a bokah effect on top of the original explosion which has good light trails.  I set the camera to manual focus, which I then changed as the fireworks lit the sky, again allowing a longer exposure time to achieve this result.    
 

 If you are interested in taking photographs of the fireworks show you will be watching this Fourth, here is a great link to Digital Photography School's tutorial on the subject.  Have fun next week, BE SAFE and remember why we celebrate!
 

This is a small selection of images that I think best fits the theme. For a larger, themed gallery, just click on one of the images above.  Feel free to share or leave a comment.