Firework photos

[swaffs]

Instead of going to Shauns for the firework party, my family and I decided to goto Leeds Castle (in Kent) on Sat 04/11 for the 'Firework Spectacular' I thought this would be a fantastic location to shoot with the moat and castle etc.

We had to book months in advance and it cost around £40 for the family.
There were 18000 people there, so you can imagine the crowds. a 80 mile each way drive coupled with the queue to get out!

The view was very scenic with the castle and moat etc (well as long as you were at the front)I would have had to get there about 3 hours before the event to get a front line photographic position, so ended up about 20ft back in the crowd with camera at eye level on tripod.

The organisers were unlucky with the weather as it was a perfectly clear still night. Which meant there was a huge cloud of smoke after 10 minutes, that just hung over the castle hiding all the fireworks. Perhaps the 30 minute delay in starting was waiting for some wind!

As for the fireworks we did see, they were ok, nothing amazing. Seen them all before, in fact once we got home the fireworks in Morden park were just as good (and they were more in time with the music!) and we can watch them for free from the garden.
I took the 20D with a 24-70 Sigma f/2.8 Lens and shot in TV or Manual at 1-6 seconds iso ~200 Manual focus at a bit back from infinity, I tried to keep the apeture around 5 as it enabled keeping the castle in focus.
Photos:
#1:at first the skies were nice and clear
https://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/albums/Fireworks2006-web/Swaffs-Fireworks06-0060.jpg
#2: However the smoke quickly settled
https://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/albums/Fireworks2006-web/Swaffs-Fireworks06-0180.jpg
#3:blinded!
https://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/albums/Fireworks2006-web/Swaffs-Fireworks06-0101.jpg
#4:Did manage to get a few reasonable shots
https://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/albums/Fireworks2006-web/Swaffs-Fireworks06-0157.jpg
#5:Probably my favourite from the night, it was big enough to burst through the smoke
https://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/albums/Fireworks2006-web/Swaffs-Fireworks06-0210.jpg

#6: The fireworks visible from the garden
https://www.swaffs.co.uk/gallery/albums/Fireworks2006-web/Swaffs-Fireworks06-0263.jpg

Many more >>HERE<<

C&C very welcome

Thanks for looking
Rich Swaffs
____________________
Swaffs Photography |
BCF vinyl stickers
"Look not back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around you in awareness."

[mazz]

Those are amazing photos

[FreshAL]

[BanditBitch]

Wow, they're cool

[LustyLew]

Once again Swaffs, some impressive pics.

I was on medic duties for the weekend doing various firework events. Friday we had a similar problem with the cloud of smoke blocking the view.

But on Saturday there was a slight breeze and the fireworks on Blackheath Common were amazing! They think there was about 40,000 peopel attending and it was free. Oh, it was bloody loud too!
____________________
Like a Yorkie - I'm not for the girls

[Blackrhythms]

Those are all pretty cool pics! But I really like the third one - very 'haunted castle' effect!
____________________

[msgander]

very nice pics!

Think you were safer where you were lol!!
____________________
Always believe that your guardian angel flies a bit faster than you...............

[Shaun]

Those rockets would be a lot more impressive if they were going off at ground level.

[Sephiroth]

[DonTony]

[swaffs]

Thanks for your comments

[v4forlife]

what SS etc did you use. great pics though mate, i hope to improve alot in the near future.
____________________
www.wilcollinsphoto.co.uk