A few years ago I got a nice shot of the family looking up at the fireworks. Thought I would try again to improve on it. Some of the shots are strangers Some family.
The canisters sure get launched quickly. I tried to work fast.
Family
Strangers
Tag: 4th of July
No Flash, Hand-Held Off-Camera Flash- Sparklers in the Rain for One
Thanks to everyone who sent birthday greetings. Nothing like announcing “Hey, it’s my birthday” publicly and then being the recipient of such lovely wishes.
Rain kept us from going to see fireworks Thursday night. Anna had her Pap light a sparkler or two and she tired to enjoy them in the rain in the front yard.
For the second day in a row I took the photos from the porch. It was totally dark.
The first photo was taken without a flash but there was some light from the house and the sparkler.
The second was taken with hand-held off-camera flash. Thought i would experiment as I read about it but never really tried it. I avoid using the flash as much as possible but wanted to experiment for some different dramatic lighting effects. Thanks Anna you were most cooperative.
The cord I bought about 9 years ago and never really used. I will try it again when I have some more willing subjects.
you can see the raindrops
Not too dramatic lighting but a few visible raindrops.
Experimenting with light and hand held off camera flash
Anna in motion. With flash.
Weekly Photo Challenge: Movement
Four images. Fourth of July. Starting with………….
Fourth of July Parade with Ballerinas just before noon in a sweltering heat, a blazing sun, scorching pavement…..okay, enough descriptors.It was hot hot hot. Or should I say HOT HOT HOT. (sorry, Arrow) Today we were all practically listless. Laura and James power is back on after five days but Marlene and Donald have been without power for a whole week and hope tomorrow is the day. So the holiday took a different turn than planned as I wrote before. The evening was a challenge as I tried to shoot the sparklers with a slow shutter speed.-
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and for the sparkler portion of the evening. I sure wish I realized I had brought my tripod in the back of the car.
Found it there today when loading up some groceries.
Daddy Mark puts on a sparkler show for the kids as they watch the fireworks over the pine trees. It was a fun time and a great birthday party.
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Jimmy Stewart Statue and Old Glory-Indiana, PA
Got invited to photograph my daughter-in-law’s family reunion in Indiana PA. What a happy party and celebration. I considered posting photographs of all of the Polish food- Kielbasa, Haluski, Pierogies, Golabki (Stuffed Cabbage) but when I was headed back to the city the sun was low on the horizon. There was the Jimmy Stewart Statue in front of the Indiana County Courthouse. And on Philadelphia Street!!
One problem though, I was shooting into the West so shooting into the sun! I wished I had a step stool or ladder to capture the statue’s face from a different angle. Amazing how a statue can look so different depending on the light and the angle. The metal is bronze but at first there was a fiberglass statue that is now in the museum.
I waited until a burst of wind unfurled the flag. I was patient.
My family used to love watching Jimmy Stewart movies and the tradition is carried on with the annual It’s a Wonderful Life Christmas viewing at Mark and Erika’s home. There is a Jimmy Stewart Museum adjacent to this location but closed of course . Will have to research what is inside and return when it is open.
Twenty seven years of military service, A Brigadier General in the USAF Reserve- seems fitting that the flag is part of the picture to honor Jimmy Stewart’s service.
Just seemed like a perfect Independence Day Eve photo. A fitting tribute!
Footnote added July 10, 2011 Be sure to read the NYTimes article by John Marchese Visited Bedford Falls Lately?
Cupcake Tree and 1-2-3-4 Cake Recipe
My friend Joanne in Omaha shipped a box of cupcake items to Columbus so I could create a 4th of July/Birthday Cupcake Display Tree and marthastewart.com directions/photo of flag cupcake.
Cupcakes are all the rage around the city these days. You can bake them at home but not today in the heatwave.
1-2-3-4 Cake Recipe from Swans Down Cake Flour Box and Grandmothers who came before- Anna used Red White & Blue Sprinkles and red licorice lace Joanne sent.
1 cup butter+ 2 cups sugar + 3 cups cake flour + 4 eggs +1 cup milk 3 t baking powder and 1/2 t salt and 1 t vanilla I used buttermilk so added a tsp of baking soda (made 36 cupcakes- 1/4 C batter per)
Basic Buttercream Icing- 1 C butter+ 4 C 10X sugar + vanilla +2 T milk
The Mailbox- Decorated by Anna
Sun dropping in the sky, we’d just come from another cookout. Anna asked if I’s take her picture with the mailbox. This was taken just before the sparklers in the backyard, posted yesterday. Tonight is the last night in Columbus with the family. It’s been a happy vacation.
