Fireworks Extravemaganza 2013

The Fourth of July is one of my top two favorite holidays every year. The main reason is probably the same reason most guys will give, Fireworks! I love me some controlled explosions put on by incredible technicians and outstanding choreographers. There is only a couple of places in the country that can offer that experience, one of them being a couple miles down the freeway from where I live, Disneyland.

This was my fourth year specifically watching the fireworks at Disneyland. My first two years were from the Brookhurst St/ Interstate 5 overpass. It has one CLEAR view, plus or minus some smog. Last year, I stood on the Ball Rd overpass directly behind Disneyland's office buildings. the view was incredible, but I saw myself wanting more.

This year, I perched myself on the top level of the Mickey and Friends parking structure. You can pay 15 buckaroos, or you can do what I did, I parked in the neighborhood and walked about five to ten minutes to the structure. I got there around 8:00 PM, and there were people already setting up camp. I walked about halfway down the structure as far away from everybody as I could. I setup my tripod and my camera and the rest is now history.

The only unfortunate part about watching the fireworks here is that you cannot hear the music track that plays to the fireworks. Not so important, but you do get a quite different experience. But if you don't like to be elbow to elbow, I wouldn't recommend it. That happens to be the busiest day of the year, or at least it was when I worked there.

Test shot to see how my night photography is.

Spot floodlights coming from Fantasmic.

July the Fourth Be With You

Happy American Independence Day to all.

I used to be one of those guys who loved to shoot off fireworks. As I've gotten older, and money has become more important, I've turned my back on watching my cold hard cash turn into sparkles in my face. I shall once again, fourth year running, be making the trek to a prime viewing location to shoot pictures of fireworks at the Happiest Place on Earth, sometimes aka The Mouse House or its very under used name that probably not many people know of, Disneyland. There is no other company on the planet that can match the skill in fireworks of Disney.

Here are some basic tips for shooting pictures of fireworks

• Make sure your flash is turned off, 
• Your ISO needs to be set as low as possible, like ISO 100
• Have a higher aperture, Try f11 or f16
• Set the shutter speed to 1/2 or slower.

If you find that you are getting blurry pictures, you might want to bring use a monopod or a tripod. When looking for usable stands, most people make a mistake in thinking they need expensive equipment. A very inexpensive and light tripod will do everything you need.

Last but not least, Get there early and scout your zone. Composition is still an important factor.

Have Fun, and drive safe, and have a blast!

Further Refference:

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-photograph-fireworks

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-tips/photographing-fireworks/

Super Special Halloween Edition

Hey, Everybody! I hope you all have a safe holiday. Watch out for them little bastard kids when you go out driving tonight, and stay away from the alchyhols, unless you are drinking from the comfort of your own couch.

Now lets get down to business. Last Wednesday, I took another stroll down Main Street. Now this is the REAL Main Street. Not that fake topic that is always brought up by those stupid politicians. Main  Street USA at the Happiest place on Earth. Every year the park is decorated for this special holiday. In addition to the Nightmare Before Christmast taking over the Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain was setup for the festivities. If you ever can get down here for it over the next few years, I suggest you do. Well, here are this weeks pictures.

Next I went and checked out the improvements made on this last refurbishment of the Matterhorn Bobsleds. This was the only good that came of it:

And the last place I went to check out was over at California Adventure. The first picture were bubbles from what seemed to be a pixar themed parade. If you go see this parade, make sure you sit FAR away because the floats shoot water at people. The rest are from my long wait in the Cars Land: Radiator Springs Racers.

Well, what do you all think? Drop me a line in the comments section below. Much Appreciated. Hopefully I will stop being lazy and write something up this week. Have a fun holiday!