Thursday, July 6, 2023

Fireworks in the Desert

 We were out in the desert for the 4th this year and I was busy studying Google Maps, trying to find a parking spot that would give us a good view of the display. We were also keeping our fingers crossed that our dog would be OK (we've only had her a few weeks). We didn't want to leave her home alone on the 4th, and figured if the noise was too upsetting for her, we could easily leave the show early and drive home. We arrived at the viewing spot I picked out about 15 minutes early (turns out a lot of other people had the same idea!), set up or chairs and waited for the show. The dog wasn't totally thrilled, so my wife took her in the car and watched the show from there, while Lilly & I watched from our chairs.
 
It's been a while since I've photographed fireworks, so had to ask Mr. Google about typical camera settings. A tripod and exposure time of 3-4 seconds, f 9, ISO 125 seemed to be the sweet spot, with a short telephoto lens.
 
 
Does anyone else see a face??
 
If you celebrated the 4th, hope you had a good one!
 
Linking with Skywatch Friday.
Thanks for stopping by!

38 comments:

  1. ...thanks for your light show, I hope that you had a wonderful 4th.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Haha ... I absolutely do see a face and it looks quite angry. :))

    ReplyDelete
  3. That was a good place to see the fireworks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Good you took care of your dog. I remember how ours freaked out on occasions like this.
    Big, BIG WOW on your shots!

    I see a rather angry face!

    Germans have no such day. Rightfully or not...
    The "leaders" started two World Wars. Two!
    You could say: Not these generations´ fault (my parents were kids) - never to be forgotten, why not celebrate big Union Day?
    I had three great teamleaders from former GDR and with one I am still in daily (!) contact via WhatsApp.

    But East and West Germany is still not really united in most heads.

    So.. always great to see how you unite and celebrate your day.
    You were in our news. They said for this day it´s AMERICA and not about the president-situation.

    Thank you for sharing these very fab pics!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful photos of a Happy 4thof July celebration!

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is a unique firework scene in the desert!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Great photos of the fireworks. I use the fireworks setting on my camera and just shoot away. Did okay but not near as good as yours. This year I was on the road on the 4th so I stayed in my motel room. Sounded like world war 2 out there.

    ReplyDelete
  8. How fun to photograph the fireworks! I haven't tried this in years, looks like you did good. I used to have a dog that trembled in fear every July 4th.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That is amazing! What a spectacular event! WOW!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Well organized Fireworks are always quite impressive. Nice little camera trick with that long exposure. Very well done!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Perfect shoots! Hope to shoot fireworks someday

    ReplyDelete
  12. Spectacular and perfectly captured! 👍

    ReplyDelete
  13. Nice shots of the fireworks.
    The last one is my favorite.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great shots, Peter! Well done. in 1980 I had an apartment in Santa Ana but was visiting my Uncle and Aunt in Manhattan Beach on the 4th of July. I was on my motorcycle, and as I took the freeway hope, the sky was exploding with different cities' fireworks. I had to work to keep my mind on the road!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Nice pics! Glad you had a great 4th.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nice shots of the fireworks and as always impeccable.

    ReplyDelete
  17. We shoot similarly. I use ISO100, f11, 4 seconds. I am considering lifting the ISO or opening the aperture a bit in future, just to make surroundings a little less black. Like you, I like to not just shoot the fireworks but get some context, and that’s a bit difficult to do for me where I am.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Awesome fireworks shots ~ glad your wife had your doggie in the car ~ Xo

    Due to rain ~ ours got reschedule for July 8th ~ will try and get some photos ~

    Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Yep you hit the sweet spot. Awesome

    ReplyDelete
  20. Those were some fabulous fireworks photos. Great job! Guess you had good weather for it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Great job on the fireworks shots. These are beautiful. I usually find a spot to view but this year I stayed home and watched the display from Washington DC. They certainly spent a lot of money on that show.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Your photography skills rock. These are some of the best fireworks photos I've ever seen.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a spectacular show! Nothing to mar the view. I used to be able to see more of the fireworks at our county fairgrounds, but the trees grew taller, so now I see the tops!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Beautiful fireworks...looks even more striking against a pitch dark sky! So glad you all enjoyed the fireworks along with the fur baby! Happy weekend and happy skywatching, Peter!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very beautiful photos of the fireworks!

    ReplyDelete
  26. great shots. yes, the third one is one angry face.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Camera, right spot, with people you love and what a grand show of lights in the desert. Thanks for sharing these moments with us.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Nice shots! (I’m only being allowed to post as “anonymous”, so I will add my name.
    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mr Google certainly did not lead you astray -- the pictures are wonderful although I expect that is due to your talent as much as to your advisor!

    ReplyDelete