Comments on: 4th of July Fireworks, Lake Waramaug

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 29 Sep 2005 21:30:18 +0000

Follow up for those who actually read this: Adam got back to me and I sent him a CD of originals. He invited me to photograph the setting up of the fireworks launch area next year. Yes! Stay tuned…

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 11:39:47 +0000

Adam,

Not sure why the pictures aren’t showing up, let me know if they are when you come back to read this comment. The higher resolution pictures are stored at flickr.

I’ll be happy to send you a CD with high resolution versions of the pictures on it that you can do as you like with. I cropped them all square as I like that but I can recrop them in any aspect ratio you like, like 8×10, etc. They’re 8 megapixel pictures so if you liked one you could print it as large as 16×20 with no problems. Or, I could help you with this and send you a set of prints if you’re not familiar with printing from digital images.

Email me and let me know what you’d like to do: richard at richardsnotes dot org

Nice show by the way, it gets better each year and I very much appreciate what you and Doug Hamilton put together.

By: Adam Biscow

Adam Biscow — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 00:36:23 +0000

Hi Rich,

I was the pyrotechnician that fired the show on the fourth at Lake Waramug. I would love to see the pics of the show. They dont seem to be showing up on this sight. Maybe you could email them to me. Its rare that I get good photos of my shows.

Thanks!

Adam Biscow
Zambelli Internationale

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 11:39:59 +0000

Dale: I agree, a 24-70 would have been perfect for this particular “shoot.”

Monika: there are some small fireworks displays on local beaches but they are not worth shooting. On our beach people light flares as is the tradition and I was concerned that that bright red light would influence my exposures of the main fireworks (it did not).

What would be fun to shoot is something like this: Brandy Monster. It’s essentially a timed exposure as well and one could do it with a sparkler or, at other times of the year with a small flashlight. Might be worth experimenting with flashlight to have some fun. Then we can say we are working in the tradition of Picasso (who did it first I think).

By: Monika

Monika — Thu, 07 Jul 2005 10:12:49 +0000

Richard, that was a lot of fun to read. Thanks for sharing your experiences. I normally don’t go to any place to watch a firework - even New Year’s eve I usually stay inside. I hate the noise, the smell, the danger. However, at your lake it looks like a lot of fun.

Did nobody shoot at your side of the lake, at your beach? To check backwards and sidewards for fireworks maybe crashing in my camera would make me pretty nervous.

By: Dale

Dale — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 20:52:28 +0000

Richard, you did a great job and it’s obvious that your research paid off as well. Your over exposure remarks are important, as it’s easy to think that there’s not enough light.

I love prime lenses, but a zoom would allow for varied compositions and eliminate the need for changing lenses in low light or with other people around knocking dust into your sensor.

I’m sure that we’ll all learn from your results and notes here. Thanks.

By: Dale

Dale — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 20:47:10 +0000

Oops! I meant the top image. ;-) They’re all great though.

By: Richard

Richard — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 20:43:41 +0000

Great Dale, glad you like the first one. Any more tips for us neophite fireworks photographers? I know you must have them. The tripod and head were really quite good in this situation and I was glad for the easy sideways flip that the Acratech allows.

By: Dale

Dale — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 20:35:28 +0000

Richard, this is a great shot. The whole series is cool, but to me this is the stand out of the group. Well done.

By: Gary

Gary — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 16:50:28 +0000

Richard, thanks for the tips on photographing fireworks. Your photo turned out superbly. It’s beautifully composed, and exposed. And what a beautiful place to see fireworks, on that lake.