Photo Adventures with Curiosity and Learning


Fireworks 2004 - looking toward the Cooper and Ashley Rivers (which come together to form the Atlantic Ocean, in case you missed this small lesson in geography).

This started as an experiment in night photography. When in Bangkok for New Years 2004 I took some long time exposure photos of the fireworks near the Penisula Hotel. With a 4 second exposure, I was often able to catch the trail of the rocket as well as the star burst (not sure how to say this). So I was anxious to try again with a better setup (i.e. camera mounted on a tripod). The results are below, and I am pleased.

The James Island connector by night

Downtown Charleston by night - the new CofC Library near the center left

The show (click image for the full photo)


(camera: Nikon Coolpix 5700 on a tripod, 4 sec exposure, infinity focus, film speed 100, patience). I pressed the shutter release about every 10 sec (the coolpix is slow). In other words, camera exposures were not overtly timed with the fireworks ignition - simply took approximately 6 exposures / minute for about 30 minutes - i.e. 180 images.

fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks fireworks

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

C. Frank Starmer

-