Astronomy, Photography and Weather

Yes, it was that time of year again, celebrating our  234 years of Independence . At least this year it was clear and warm, unlike last years fog and clouds disaster. Here are some of my first real attempts at fireworks, still very difficult, especially in lens selection. I was afraid of being too close, so I backed way off and used my kit lens. Almost all of these were taken at 55mm. Could have used my nifty fifty, but didn't want to waste the time in changing. Could have used my 50-250 but didn't even bring it. Live and learn. Still a great evening on the Rogue River.

55mm  1 sec f/8 ISO 100

(http://i45.tinypic.com/24nh3bl.jpg)

55mm  3 sec f/8 ISO 100

(http://i48.tinypic.com/2czx0rk.jpg)

55mm  3 sec f/8 ISO 100

(http://i47.tinypic.com/5xtwzt.jpg)

Those are fantastic Richard! - happy 4th of July to you  :), fireworks are a very difficult subject, not easy at all to get good images, you done a splendid job.

Will have to wait until Halloween to get any displays around here.

Belated Happy 4th July guys!
Those are great images Richard, and a subject I've not had much success at!

Richard i would be proud of those firework shots, i like the reflections off the water-very nice.

Great shots Richard! I always screw up fireworks. Never know if I want to do quick short shutters or get the foreground exposed, not even sure I ever like what I end up getting either lol. Anyway, here are a few of mine from the 3rd and 4th.

(http://tonightssky.org/images/070310h.jpg)

(http://tonightssky.org/images/070410a.jpg)

(http://tonightssky.org/images/070410b.jpg)

Thanks for the comments everyone. I love the first one of your's Tyler, must be Omaha? That's really difficult to get the city skyline and fireworks exposure correct. It was so dark where I was all I had was the river to go by. There are so many variables in taking these shots. I ended up just using Bulb and the remote and most turned out 2-3 seconds. I took about 90 shots and ended up with about 10 keepers, just practice for next year if it's not foggy!

wow great shots guys! I love firework photos and you guys have done excellent!  8)

Tyler, those are fantastic shots, especially the one over the city, that could be a money maker  :), I like the way you went for both distant and close range shots for these, what kind of wide angle lens were you using for those ones with the sand?, they are very dramatic  :)

First one was 2 shots stitched together at 300mm, second two were at 10mm

Thanks for the lens info Tyler, I thought you would have been pretty wide for the last set, great action shots  :)

Excellent shots guys! :D

I'm bowled over with the quality of all these shots- absolutely stunning and if that's your first shot at fireworks, Richard then bring on the next US celebrations is all I can say and the Omaha backdrop is wonderful,Tyler - what a treat this show is.