Freedom over Texas Fireworks - Houston City Hall View

[HFMarshburnJR]

Decided to try a little something different this year for the fireworks display downtown in Houston. I had always thought that there might be a good angle at the fireworks where you could use City Hall as a nice foreground element. It is lit up in a patriotic theme on the 4th, and it makes a great photo by itself. So, this year I gave it a try.

And I was amazed by a few things:
1. How many people walked right by this location looking for a place to "see the fireworks"
2. How few people there were at this wonderful locale
3. How few serious photographers there were out there. I counted one other tripod set up to get a decent photo of the fireworks.

I had a blast. If you are in Houston for the 4th and don't want to hassle with the crowds...give this location a try. You won't be disappointed.

Here are a few of the better shots from the shoot.

Enjoy.

HFM

[Photogdude]

great pic's, great location, might have to try it out next year since my location bombed this year.

[ion-man]

Very nice captures Howard. I went the Memorial route and got burned, should have come to this location instead.

[Bruce M. Morris]

I bet the City would be interested in having some of those for next years celebrations.

[r0xikat]

very cool! how long were your exposures?

[ndsimm]

I always thought about shooting downtown, but I thought it would have been blocked off
You got some great shots and I agree about the city wanting to use some for next year....

[HFMarshburnJR]

Originally Posted by ion-man

Very nice captures Howard. I went the Memorial route and got burned, should have come to this location instead.

Thanks. I have done a couple of different locations on Memorial and I never have been able to get the composition I wanted without the mercury vapor lights. This is the best location I have found yet for composition. There were no distracting composition issues and...my favorite part...NO crowds. There were maybe 50 people around the entire reflecting pool during the fireworks show...including the local transient population.

[HFMarshburnJR]

Originally Posted by Photogdude

great pic's, great location, might have to try it out next year since my location bombed this year.

Sorry for your luck. I have been there, and I understand your pain. Once that building at Montrose (or Studemont, if you are picky!) and Memorial started going up, I knew that it would ruin the compositions coming down Memorial toward downtown. That and the street lights! Since I live in the neighborhood, I have the flexibility to scout out and try new locations every year. This is one I have had my eye on for a couple of years. I usually remember it after the 4th. This time, I remembered it earlier!

There were very few of the fireworks that were not visible from my location. Only the ones that went off at low altitude were an issue...and who wants to waste a click on those anyway? :-)

Keep the faith!

HFM

[HFMarshburnJR]

Originally Posted by Bruce M. Morris

I bet the City would be interested in having some of those for next years celebrations.

Thanks for the nod, Bruce. I would approach the City if I had an idea about who to approach. Any guidance would be appreciated.

HFM

[HFMarshburnJR]

Originally Posted by r0xikat

very cool! how long were your exposures?

You sure that is all you want to ask? I will give you the rest of the details while you ponder that one...

Camera on tripod
Nikon D3 w/ 24-120 F4 lens
Manual mode, manual focus
Focus set to infinity
Aperature at F11
Shutter speed on "Bulb"
Variable exposure times depending on firework burst duration - most of the shots were 3-7 seconds in duration
Remote shutter release
ISO 200
Had predetermined the safe zone for exposures before City Hall became a blown out mess - at the aperatures being used, I determined that anything under 12 seconds wouldn't look too bad.

The rest was timing...and luck. I ended up taking about 200 exposures during a 20 minute show. There are about 60 or so that are worth processing...and these 9 are representative of the lot.

Give it a try...Kemah Boardwalk does a nice firework display every Friday night in July. A whole new set of dynamics to deal with, but the basics shown above are the basis for shooting those fireworks as well.

Keep the faith.

[HFMarshburnJR]

Originally Posted by ndsimm

I always thought about shooting downtown, but I thought it would have been blocked off
You got some great shots and I agree about the city wanting to use some for next year....

You, sir...are a gentleman and a scholar! Thank you for the kind words.

Downtown has it's own special vibe. There were three or 4 cool alternative locations within a quarter mile of this location if it hadn't worked out. And my parking spot was almost directly underneath where I shot - I literally drove in to downtown at 8PM, was set up by 8:30 and had a park bench to wait on 'til the show started at 9:30. Don't let the couch talk you out of trying something new! (P.S. I have one of those persuasive couches as well!)

Keep the faith!