Thurso Fireworks Display

[North Light]

A few photographs from last night fireworks display.

It's a long time since I last took photographs of fireworks, and they were taken using transparency film with a manual focus slr.

So here we go,

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3015459742_0b6c036053_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3014/3015459780_b3f88e40d2_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3253/3015459848_cff0131837_o.jpg

http://www.flickr.com/photos/north_light/

Being self critical, I am not convinced I choose the best viewing point, and it was too windy. Ah there's always next year!

[mccaugm]

I loved these photos...no need to be self deprecating. I never got to go to a fireworks display this year unless you include the impromptu ones in neighbours gardens. These photos:D made up for it.

[Liz]

I agree with mccaugm. Lovely photos!:D

[wifie]

Great North Light - thanks! :) Love fireworks but never managed a decent pic yet!

[Deemac]

Nice shots Northlight.

This was my first attempt at the Thurso Fireworks display (very impressive indeed - well done to all those involved). I too was not happy with my chosen vantage point or my end results (too windy for good solid light trails!!) Such a hit and miss thing to photograph (especially timing the start of my 15 second exposures and pointing the camera in the right direction!!)

Anyway here's what I came up with.

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_5494edit1Sm.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_5514edit1Sm.jpg

http://i254.photobucket.com/albums/hh116/deemac1965/40DA_5512edit1Sm.jpg

[wifie]

Like no 3 Deemac with the people in the foreground - very "Close Encounters" :)

[North Light]

Thank you all for the comments, I have to say that taking photographs of fireworks was easier with a digital camera than I remember using film was.

Deemac,
Some excellent shots, agree with wifie about the people in the foreground of no. 3, but my preference would be No. 2, I like the composition of this.
Yes the wind made it difficult, also the unpredictability of where the firework was going to go.

I'm intrigued by the 15 second exposure, having had a quick read on the subject before I went out I used a very simple technique, the camera was set to "bulb", with a remote release I opened the shutter as the firework went up, and then shut it as the firework finished, all taken at ISO 200 with exposures of 2 to 4 seconds.

[Deemac]

I'm intrigued by the 15 second exposure, having had a quick read on the subject before I went out I used a very simple technique, the camera was set to "bulb", with a remote release I opened the shutter as the firework went up, and then shut it as the firework finished, all taken at ISO 200 with exposures of 2 to 4 seconds.

To be frank I hadn't done any research on the best settings. The 'bulb' idea sounds a much better solution. Next year I hope to be far more prepared. 15 seconds was just to maximise actually capturing anything at all!! Half the luck was to have the camera pointing in the right direction.

[North Light]

I agree, there is definitely a large element of luck, I am presuming that the fireworks are always launched from the same place? So will look for a better viewing location for next year.

[Raven]

Great stuff boys! I like both of your second shots.
I was down there too, but on the other side :-). I too have never shot fireworks before and this is what came out... I am not particularly happy with it, but hey-ho, everyone has to start somewhere...

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/Scotland-visions/fw6.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/Scotland-visions/fw2.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/Scotland-visions/fw3.jpg

[Raven]

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/Scotland-visions/fw4.jpg

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/Scotland-visions/fw1.jpg

[North Light]

Raven,
Thanks, and I think you certainly made the better choice of location, in fact that was exactly where I was thinking of checking out for next year, I particularly like the reflections in the water of the last photograph.

[Mystical Potato Head]

Brilliant pictures guys!!

[wifie]

I like yer last one too Raven - the zig zag pattern on the water is pleasing. :)

[golach]

Great photos both of you, and North Light I loved the effect you have shown of the wind conditions

[Sporran]

Fabulous fireworks photos, folks! Well done, all of you! :D

[Margaret M.]

I am not a fan of fireworks but all of these shots are beautiful!

[young_fishin_neep]

those pictures really are great, i did tell mum to go to bed earlier so she could come down and take some but she didnt :(

xxx

[astroman]

Great photos everyone.

Here's a couple of snapshots I took - vantage point wasn't ideal and I was too lazy to take a tripod with me, but some of the images came out pretty good despite this.

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj138/astroman_caithness/FireworkPalmTrees.jpg
Two giant palm trees at Thurso Harbour?

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj138/astroman_caithness/FireworksThurso08.jpg

[astroman]

Here's a few more fireworks images with tight cropping. I quite liked the effect the wind had on the images obtained.
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj138/astroman_caithness/FireworkPatterns2.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj138/astroman_caithness/FireworkPatterns.jpg

http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj138/astroman_caithness/FireworkPatterns3.jpg

[wifie]

Those are great astroman - the last three especially! :)

[Sporran]

Your photos are fantastic too, astroman! The wind certainly did create an interesting effect, and you're right, that does look like a pair of giant palm trees in the first pic! :cool:

[Deemac]

Astroman, the last three are wonderful - well done

[North Light]

Astroman,
I also really like the last three, the tight crop works well.

[wicker05]

Well done to you all :) lovely shots taken in difficult conditions.