[Leica] Variations on a Location

[tedgrant at shaw.ca (Ted Grant)]

Sonny showed: hand held fireworks!
Subject: [Leica] Variations on a Location


> I've been shooting pictures of fireworks for  nearly as long as I've been
> taking photographs.  I also live in  Natchitoches, where we have about a 
> dozen
> opportunities a year to see  them.
>
> Since I live just 2 blocks from the scene, I can shoot from my  house for
> some shows.
>
> These shots are taken hand-held, and the technology  of the Pentax K100D
> camera makes them seem stable, but some have a dream-like  quality.
>
> These were all taken from one spot. No tripod. Too many  people to move.
>
> http://www.sonc.com/FW_fant/<<<

Hi Sonny,
I think what happens with many people, including myself when we first shoot 
fireworks there's a photo technical thought processes.... "it's night, dark 
and fire works are away up in the sky." ERGO:  One must use a tripod.

But once one attends a major display with a huge number of flashes and 
brilliance where the ground is almost as bright as day, much as we see in 
your pictures. The thinking goes... "Jeeeesh  it's like daylight! Why not 
shoot it hand held?" The worst that'll happen is one will blow a few frames 
of fire works. :-(

There's nothing like shooting fireworks at the closing of an Olympic 
Games!!! :-)Absolutely awesome!  Man you want shock and awe? This is the 
place without getting your head blown off by some errant missile!

I usually use the R, whatever model at the time, and shoot just as though 
it's daylight allowing the camera to select the exposure. And it works very 
well, most of the time. ;-)  Then all you do is concentrate on what elements 
to include in the frame to make the shot more interesting. Much along the 
lines of your people here and there.

Besides at the Olympics you are not allowed to use tripods nor flash! So 
what the heck use your arms and hands. ;-)

Yours are beauties and I think we've seen maybe one or two on the LUG 
before?

Well done mon ami.
ted