My fireworks experience

Hello all,
After having read some of the other fireworks experiences, I don't feel so bad. Even with all of their troubles, they kept shooting and captured some excellent shots.

Here's what happened to me.

I thought, I'll be prepared when I get there. So, all afternoon, I cleaned my cameras, charged my batteries, checked my tripods (broke one of my cheapos, so only had 2), set all my settings the way I THOUGHT, they should be, made sure I had my remotes and how to turn them on, packed everything neatly away in my case, put 2 of the cameras on the remaining tripods, and sat back to relax before heading for the show.

Having been here last year, I thought I knew about where they were going to be shot off from. So, I diligently set up my cameras, made sure they were set properly, took some test shots, and everything was fine. The show was about to start.

BOOM!!! There goes the first rocket....behind me...OH NO!!!!!

Well, after a mad dash to reposition the cameras, which by now had timed out, I started trying to shoot. Nothing happened!! Come to find out, when they timed out, my settings changed to single shot rather than remote. ARGHHHH!!!

OK, cameras are now on, one of the Pentax's and the Nikon, I take a couple of shots and realize on the Pentax, the 50-200 lens is not wide enough since I am much closer to the fireworks than I had set up for. Quick lens change, and I'm off and running.

Finally, things started working good.

Kim had the other Pentax hand held, I'm still waiting to see how those turned out. but here are some of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them and as always, any comments greatly appreciated.

These Nikon CoolPix 8400 shots were all set at f4.1 @ 4sec ISO 50

This next series is with the Pentax *ist DL. ISO 200 f4.0 @ 2 secs.

Yes, nice.
I like the fact that the mortar trails are grounded by the patch of light around the launch tube.
Oh and that you captured the trails in the first place.

Thanx a lot SW! I really appreciate your comments. I really learned a lot with this shoot and hope I remember these lessons next year.

Very cool... Image 1 is my fav. Hyperactive to the max.You captured the business of the action perfectly. LOL as I read your story.
My experience was just the opposite.Relaxed... Mountain View / Shoreline shot off a star burst test shot to check trajectory, let everyone get ready.It was a great 4th in the Bay area.

With regards,
Rick

Thanx Rick...#1 is my fav also...hehe...I'm glad everything was great for your 4th...even with my few probs...things were great here also...take care,

And people think there's no work to photography!