Painting with Fire
– By David W. Powell
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-01-1024x804.jpg)
Shooting Fireworks has been a regular outing for me for the last 50 years. These images were all handheld. A tripod is way too constrictive for me and doesn’t allow for much freedom of movement. Shutter speed doesn’t determine exposure; it does determine the length of the streaks. Most of these shots were at f/11 with an ISO of 200, using the bulb setting or 1 sec for shutter speed.
A relatively straight shot for context.
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-02-1024x865.jpg)
If you trace an individual streak, you can follow my hand-camera movements. It takes a little practice and is way different from trying to hold the camera steady. These shots are all single exposures… no Photoshop tricks here beyond exposure optimization and cropping.
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-03-1024x819.jpg)
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-04-1024x1024.jpg)
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-05-1024x804.jpg)
A little more abstract with monochrome.
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-06-830x1024.jpg)
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-07-1024x653.jpg)
Here I duplicated the background layer, flipped it, and combined them using layer blending modes. I can’t remember which ones. If you want to try…you work it out. Play around. It’s fun.
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-08-804x1024.jpg)
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-09-706x1024.jpg)
These last four shots were taken at Bowie Baysoxs Stadium in PG county. There was no breeze that night. I think the smoke adds drama… what do you think?
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-10-1024x804.jpg)
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-11-1024x804.jpg)
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-12-989x1024.jpg)
![](http://www.ssccphotography.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/image-13-894x1024.jpg)
This is dead easy fun kinetic photography. Do a little hand dancing with your camera at a ball game or on the Fourth of July. Show us your results!
Dave Powell
Closer Focus Moderator
davidwesleypowell@gmail.com
davidwpowellphotography.com
I LOVE this piece, and it makes me want to try it.