Blackpool International Firework Championships

[Wayland]

There is a fireworks competition held each year in Blackpool.


I've had my eye on this event for a while but I decided to have a go last night.


First time I've tried it since going digital. I must say it's much easier to tell what's happening than it was back in my film days.

[Kodiak]

There is a fireworks competition held each year in Blackpool.

Great job Gary, cool colours and nice frame!

[gregj1763]

Stunning images Gary, nuff said

[pnodrog]

Very good I like the way you have used the tower and waterfront lighting to balance the composition.

[Shadowman]

Nicely captured.

[John 2]

Superb set Wayland. This is on my doorstep but I never get off my BS and go.

[Wayland]

Likewise. It's about an hour and a half from me but it's the first time I've been.

Worthwhile trip though. It's on again the next three Friday nights.

[ST1]

Great series Gary, well done

[Brownbear]

Wow! These are absolutely stunning, and the nicest firework images I've ever seen. I especially love #1 and #3... The contrast of the beautiful colours and sharp detail in the fireworks with the soft moving clouds/smoke is magical.

Any tips to share with others on photographing fireworks?

Thank you.

[Wayland]

Well I was working from a tripod of course with the camera set on 100 iso, bulb mode and the lens at f/10, manual focus set to infinity with a bit of sticky tape preventing the focus ring getting moved by accident.

Then it was just a matter of pressing the remote release long enough to register a couple of bursts and repeating the process until they run out of fireworks.

Sort out what you've got in computer and Robert is your Dad's brother. Not much to it really.

[Wavelength]

Excellent images

[bnnrcn]

Great shots

[Wayland]

I should have mentioned that this event happens every Friday night in September at about 8:30 pm.

I'll probably have another crack at it later this month if the weather is good.

[Wayland]

If the weather holds, I should be up there for another go this Friday.

Probably from the beach this time as it is a lower tide.

[FrankMi]

Very good I like the way you have used the tower and waterfront lighting to balance the composition.

I agree completely! Excellent choice of vantage point. Between the tower and waterfront to balance the fireworks and the smoke in the sky and reflections off the waves it gives a dramatic sense of being there. Although the third is a tad sharper, the compositional elements in the first one are top draw!

[Wayland]

Interesting observation. I've just reviewed the full size files to check as there should be no difference in sharpness. The camera and the focus did not move.

On closer examination the detail of all are actually about the same when you check the static lighting, but the fireworks apparently varied in streak width.

The third shot captures fireworks which were much finer in thickness which creates a greater impression of sharpness.

The others show fireworks that seem to be fuzzier in nature.

[Stagecoach]

Excellent set Gary, perfectly framed.

[FrankMi]

Interesting observation. I've just reviewed the full size files to check as there should be no difference in sharpness. The camera and the focus did not move.

On closer examination the detail of all are actually about the same when you check the static lighting, but the fireworks apparently varied in streak width.

The third shot captures fireworks which were much finer in thickness which creates a greater impression of sharpness.

The others show fireworks that seem to be fuzzier in nature.

Take a look at the loops at the top of the tower on the right. I don't think it is a sharpness difference as much as an exposure difference that makes bright objects 'bloom' more than the identical object with less exposure.

[Wayland]

I see what you mean.

Could also have something to do with the density of the smoke drifting through as well

[Wayland]

Heading up there again tonight for another go, so watch this space.