A Pyrotechnics Celebration for the Fourth of July

A Salute to Independence Day 

Independence Day is my favorite holiday and I will always remember the celebrations where the entire community turned out for BBQ and the thrill of fireworks choreographed to the sounds of patriotic music.  When I was a drummer in my high school band, I had the honor of marching in the Fourth of July parade while playing the music of John Philip Sousa.    

  

As a salute to our Independence Day, I have choreographed a pyrotechnic slide show from the Great Basin Desert community of Hawthorne, Nevada set to the music of  my favorite John Philip Sousa's March, "The Stars and Stripes Forever".

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAdZAtclHdU

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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Photgraphing Fourth of July Fireworks

 Pyrotechnics Fun

With Independence Day coming up real soon, I thought I would share some tips on how I photograph pyrotechnics.  But first, let me give some background information on my favorite place for getting the photos.  The small desert town of Hawthorne, Nevada has an annual tradition with a fireworks display on the Fifth of July.  The reason for this is because they can get the pyrotechnics at a discounted rate but the show is none the less spectacular.

Arriving early, I drive out and set up at a favorite location in the desert with a clear view of the sky, far from street lights and traffic.  With my Nikon secured to the heavy Bogan tripod, I've selected the 35-70mm 2.8 lens which is wide enough for a clear shot of the sky and I can also crop in as needed.  A cable release is used to hold the shutter open on bulb setting; this allows me to catch the trail of fireworks from the initial burst.

Catching the fireworks at the beginning of the exhibition is important, when there is less smoke and haze.

 Auto focus doesn't work well for fireworks, so I pre-focus on an object close to where the fireworks will be exploding and use manual focus. I will check the camera's monitor often to see if I am getting the desired results.

 Timing the bust is critical to catch all the action.  However, holding the shutter open too long and you get blown out highlights.

 

Wishing everyone a safe and spectacular Independence Day, check back after the Fifth, new photos will be posted from the 2012 exhibit.

  

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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PHOTOGRAPHING FIREWORKS

Pyrotechnics

The small quiet town of Hawthorne, Nevada comes alive on the Fifth of July each year because that’s when they celebrate America’s Birthday with a spectacular fireworks display.

By scheduling the event after the Fourth, the pyrotechnics production company stops by to use up any unexploded fireworks left over from the Fourth.

This allows Hawthorne to put on a big extravaganza at a reduced price.

The fireworks are exploded in the open desert area across from Armory Road, with Walker Lake and the Wassuk Mountain Range as the backdrop.

 And what a dazzling display it is against the dark open sky.

With my D90 and Nikon 35-70mm 2.8 lens secured to a sturdy Bogan tripod, I exposed the fireworks on manual setting, at 200 ISO, f/16 aperture and shutter held open on bulb.

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What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!

Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.

 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 

Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall

No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.

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