Fireworks - My attempt

[msf]

Here is my attempt at the fireworks this year. It was my first time using a digital slr, so it took some getting use to. Not to mention the tripod was broken and had to hold the camera in place. The lock for the quick release is broken.

And I went through 3 lenses while taking the pictures. I started off with my prime 85mm lens, but it was getting me to close, I then switched to my prime 50mm lens, but same problem, I then gave up and went to my kit lens, which sadly I use more than any of my other lenses. All together I got about 85 pictures.

http://msf.smugmug.com/photos/170010164-L.jpg
iso 100 - F11 @ 4 sec - 50mm

http://msf.smugmug.com/photos/170010267-L.jpg
iso 100 - F11 @ 4 sec - 34mm

http://msf.smugmug.com/photos/170010601-L.jpg
iso 100 - F10 @ 7 sec - 27mm

edit> I forgot to mention my post work. Converted from raw, then cropped to 8x10 ratio. Then shadows/highlights to see what I could do from there. And using curves I tried to remove some of the smoke. And a bit of USM at the end.

 

[Sweetsomedays]

I love #1 especially the details of the spiraling. I personally like to see where the fireworks are coming from but thats just my personal like. I still think you did a great job capturing the fireworks themselves

 

[msf]

Sorry, I dont have any pictures from where the fireworks were launched. There was a road ahead of me with traffic coming and going, then a hill with a couple very bright spotlights shining my way on top of that. Then more mountains, the fireworks were launched from there, behind that hill with the bright lights. So I tried to keep the bright lights from being in my lens, and any flares that could be there as well.