New Year's Eve Fireworks at the Space Needle

coscorrosa

I arrived at my spot at Kerry Park about 10 PM, it was cold (about 35 degrees, windy, and with light but consistent rain that left me soaked by the time I was done). The same spot last year had about 5 times more people due to more favorable weather, you have to be a special kind of stupid to stay out in that weather 2 hours for 10 minutes of fireworks and another 2 hours getting home afterward in the traffic (and I am that special kind of stupid).

These were all shot with a 100-400 on a 5D II using bulb exposures (ISO 250, 1-5 seconds, f/9 or so). Last year I used a 24-105 which wasn't quite long enough, and I knew it wouldn't be long enough on a FF body, and I did manual exposures which wasn't as flexible as using bulb exposures. Having the "400" part of the lens was pretty cool too as I was able to do some close up shots, and I ended up with a lot more keepers this year than last year.

Anyway, here are a few, all of them are at http://photos.coscorrosa.com/gallery/6973567_6JF7K

#1:



#2:



#3 (near the beginning, I was worried that the smoke would shroud the needle for the entire show but it blew away, I actually like the effect of the smoke on this shot though):



#4:



#5 (over exposed but I liked the effect):



#6:



#7:



#8:



#9:



#10:

jeffmeyers

Very cool shots, Ron. I think you nailed the exposure. I particularly like #s 1 and 10. They are all good!

Abiciriderback

Another great series Ron. Was a cold windy raining night here. I called it quits about 10:30pm.

Happy New Year

Ray Still

Tee Why

Those are nice shots.
Looks like a fantastic show.

bryanj87

These are all really cool shots. Kudos for braving the weather!

Allan FG

I really like #1, just shows that you have to get out there to get a great shot.

coscorrosa

Thanks for the comments! I think I'll try it from the base of the needle next year, or just stay inside where it's warm and get plastered like everyone else

dlplumer

That new camera is incredible, as is the guy behind it. Great shots.

clemensphoto's

Great photos, really like #1

schmoo

I had no idea they blew the fireworks FROM the building! That's a take on things I wasn't expecting

Great, fantastic captures. I like the fact that you're zooming in and catching the dramatic smoke, too. Looks like you had a great NYE, despite the weather. Being a seasoned landscape photographer (perhaps with dulled nerves) really does pay off!