TIPS TO TAKE GREAT FIREWORK PHOTOS

By Suzanne Kantra, Techlicious.com (July 2011)

Wanted to be sure you didn't miss this great article, which was posted on the following website... some great tips to help with taking awesome photos of fireworks-have a safe & happy 4th of July holiday...

COPIED FROM: http://digitallife.today.com/_news/2011/06/30/6976038-take-sparkling-photos-on-the-fourth-of-july?gt1=43001

Heading out with the family for HOLIDAY fireworks celebrations is a time-honored tradition. And, if you're like me, you enjoy capturing those memories in pictures. But photographing fireworks with no camera shake and proper exposure is difficult, unless you know these simple tricks.

1. Use a tripod
When you take picture of fireworks, the camera needs to hold the shutter open long enough to “see” the fireworks. The longer the shutter is open, the more susceptible your photo is to motion blur. So use a tripod to make sure there’s no movement. For open areas, use a stand-alone model with telescoping legs like the Dolica AX620B100 Proline ($36 on amazon.com). A more mobile option is the Joby Gorillapod original ($19.95 on joby.com), which can wrap around trees and poles or stand up on the ground.

2. Use the “fireworks” scene mode
Most point-and-shoot cameras have a button or dial with “SCN” or “Scene” on it. Otherwise you’ll find it under the “menu” button. When you put your camera in scene mode, a list of the available modes will pop up on screen. Select the one that looks like a spray of fireworks and/or says "fireworks". Most cameras sold today have a "fireworks" option for scenes. Some models I recommend include the Canon PowerShot A3300IS (an affordable 16MP camera with a 5x lens, $179 on usa.canon.com), Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 (an extremely rugged 12MP camera, $399 on panasonic.com) and the Fujifilm FinePix HS20 (a 16MP camera with a monster 30x wide-angle lens, $425 on amazon.com).

3. If your camera doesn’t have a “fireworks” mode, put it in “landscape” mode
Your camera automatically tries to find an object on which to focus. And when presented with a black featureless sky, the camera doesn’t know what to do. By putting your camera in “landscape” mode, you’ll be presetting the focus to infinity and narrowing the lens opening, which keeps both near and far objects in focus.

4. Turn off the flash
Turning your flash off will let the camera know that it only has available light to take a picture. This is important because the camera will then keep the shutter open long enough to capture the fireworks. The flash button is usually a separate button on the back of the camera. On some cameras, you can’t turn off the flash unless you put it in a scene mode or program mode (P).

5. Turn down the ISO
High ISO will crank up the sensitivity of the camera so it can see details in the dark. However, the fireworks themselves are quite bright. So, to avoid overexposure and reduce film noise, take your camera out of Auto ISO and change the setting to ISO 100 or even lower. The ISO setting is usually found under the main menu. You may have to put your camera in program mode to change this setting.

Fireworks this weekend - Happy July 4th everyone

Not sure what to do to celebrate the 4th this weekend - well both Lake Havasu and Kingman will be celebrating in style... so join in hte fun and where ever you are we wish you and your familities a wonderful, safe & happy independce day holiday...

4th Of July Celebrations

Lake Havasu City, AZ – Monday July 4th 4pm-10pm: Come out and celebrate Independence Day with a traditional Festival and Fireworks Display! The Festival starts at 4:00 pm at Rotary Park including a Beer Garden, food vendors, watermelon-eating contest, sack races and much more ! A Great Day for the Entire Family!

Fireworks begin at 9:00 pm overlooking Thompson Bay. Ideal viewing from Rotary Park or join hundred's of boaters as they gather in Thompson Bay to see the fireworks explode over the Lake! Free Admission

www.havasufireworks.org or www.golakehavasu.com


Kingman, AZ Monday, July 4th N 3pm -10pm: Mohave County Fairgrounds, 2600 Fairgrounds Blvd. A family festival and fireworks show. From 3:00pm to 9:00pm there will be fun, games, contests, food and vendors. About 9:00pm enjoy the fireworks show. www.mcfafairgrounds.com

4th of July Festivities & Fireworks in Lake Havasu City…

Have a wonderful, safe & happy holiday weekend and if you are looking for some fun & fireworks in Lake Havasu City... check this out.....

The festival begins Sunday July 4th at 4 pm at the north grassy-area of Rotary Community Park including a vendor village with food and retail booths, a beer gardens, live DJ music, and a kid’s play area. The Beer Garden will serve individuals during the festival and fireworks. Proceeds will benefit local charities during the year through Lake Havasu City Professional Firefighters Association’s guardian-angel-type fund

The kids area will have ongoing contests including potato-sack races, a water-house, waterslide, a sponge run and other activities-contests & activates will be announced over a public address system.

The watermelon- and pie-eating contests will begin about 6 p.m. at the main stage,

At 9 p.m. the expanded 23 minute fireworks spectacular will take place and spectators can tune in to radio station KNTR AM 980 or 97.1 FM for a 21-minute compilation of patriotic-themed music

There is a non-resident fee of $5 to park in Rotary Park on Friday, Saturday and Sunday this weekend. The fee will be waived for part-time Havasu residents who can provide a utility bill,. Remember - No alcohol or dogs are allowed in the park..