Fireworks 101

Fireworks!  I have tried a million times to capture them but have never been very successful.  This year, I had the right equipment, did my homework beforehand and was excited to try it all out.

The results? - Eh.  I'm not 100% impressed with the results.  

I am uber-picky so please bear with my ambivalent feelings about these shots.  I love the concept of the shots, but I am not happy with the clarity and sharpness. I blame that on the lens that I used not the technique.

So, if you still have a chance to shoot Fireworks, here are my tips:

1. A tripod is absolutely required.  If you don't have a tripod, find something to rest your camera on (the hood of the car, a rock,a cooler) but DO NOT hold the camera.  If you are a caffeine addict like me, the camera will shake when you attempt this!

2. You need to change the settings on your camera.  My camera has a function called "bulb".  This basically allows you to choose how long to keep the shutter open.  Push the shutter button and hold it until you are done.  Not all cameras have this function so the key is to choose the setting on your camera that keeps the shutter open as long as possible.

3. Timing is everything.  I was fortunate enough to be very close to the action and I could hear each shot before you could see it.  I would open the shutter just before the first burst and would leave it open until the firework started to fade.  The general rule of thumb - If you wait until you see the sparkle, you are probably going to be too late!

4. Be patient!  You won't get every shot.  It takes a few minutes to get the rhythm of the show down.  Some colors look great in the sky but don't show up well - like blue.  Some shapes don't translate well.  If it is windy, your results might be very different.  We were lucky to have a very still night last night.

5. The most important thing, unless you are getting paid to shoot the fireworks display, stop playing with your camera and enjoy the show!  Take it from me, I have completely 'missed' some displays because I was too concerned about getting the perfect shot and I didn't get to enjoy myself.  Remember, there is always next year!

Happy 4th of July!

May your day be sunny,

your BBQ yummy,

and your fireworks bright!

Have an awesome 4th everyone!

The Party is Over...

The presents are unwrapped and the cookies have been eaten,

stockings are empty and to Grandma's house we have driven.

The holiday madness is almost over,

but to say we are thankful, that is a given!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

From my family to yours

Hoping your holidays are merry and bright

And that Santa accepts your definition of 'nice'!

Merry Christmas!

Love ya' 

MonkeyGirl, Mr. MonkeyGirl and Skaterboy

Bad to the Bone!

We have a quirky tree.  Our ornaments are not matchy-matchy or color coordinated.  But they do tell our story quite well.  I had to smile when I put this one on the tree.  Coal is mesmerized by the tree and anything shiny or round.  That pretty much describes everything on the tree!  I have to put anything precious up high or else it is fair game to become a chew toy.  This little guy reminds me of what Coal would do if we left him alone - he would be running through the house with the lights, chewing holes in the gifts, and generally causing mischief.  The best part - the refrain "b-b-b-b-bad, bad to the bone!" when you press on the chewed up corner on the present.  It is soooo Coal! 

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

After a long weekend of shopping and decorating, it is starting to look more and more like the holidays around here.  We decided to go more a more classic subdued look this year on the outside and I have to admit that I like it.  I like icicle lights but they are *so 2007* and completely overdone in our area.  We wanted something that would stand out and weren't ready to make the commit that the neighbors did to blue (lights, garland, everything is blue!).


Let me know what you think!

Guess who I saw?!?!?

Picture this.  I'm sitting in traffic this afternoon.  Patiently waiting for the light to turn green, when all of the sudden, the woman in front of me rolls down her window and starts frantically waving at someone on the opposite corner.  It was avery friendly "hey look over here" kind of wave.  I was compelled to see who on earth she was waving at.  

And what to my wondering eyes should appear?  SANTA CLAUS!  He was in his sleigh and waving to the anyone who was looking.  Of course his eight tiny reindeer were replaced with a V-8 but it doesn't really matter.  After standing in line for 45 minutes to purchase the items that it took me 2 minutes to select, it put me in a much better mood.

Now, I'm officially in the holiday mood.  Still haven't finished shopping, haven't finished up the holiday cards or baking and the dust bunnies are getting demanding, but bring it on, I'm ready for the holidays!