Detroit Fireworks Photo

Photographer’s Note

The annual International Freedom Festival takes place during the week of July 4th (Independence Day in the United States) in Detroit Michigan together with the city's foreign neighbor, Windsor Canada. The fireworks show is one of the largest in the country and lasts about half an hour. Spectators from Detroit can view the fireworks behind the soaring buildings and spectators from Windsor and Belle Isle, a Detroit public park, can view the fireworks in front of the magnificent skyline. In this photo, taken from the roof of the Stroh's Building on Gratiot Avenue and I-375, the huge Renaissance Center dominates the left of the frame. At 729 feet, the RenCen (as it is known colloquially) is the tallest building in Michigan. This year the fireworks were almost called off by unpopular mayork Kwame Kilpatrick, but thankfully the show went on and without incident (last year a shooting during the fireworks turned what should have been a joyous celebration into a crime scene.)

This shot is taken with a 135mm lens at f 5.6 and has an exposure time of about four seconds, using 100-speed Kodak slide film.

seanf, mlopes, pamastro has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

seanf (246) 2005-07-21 17:35

hi geoffrey

this is a beautifully shot crystal clear image. marvellous.

sean

colinb (1536) 2005-07-21 17:42

Wow, this is a great capture. These fireworks are so crystal clear. Quite impressive.

mlopes (492) 2005-07-21 17:46

Nice fireworks photo, i like the contrasts beetween the dark buildings and the strong red lights!

Perfect exposure time

Mario

danyy (70659) 2005-07-21 17:48

Superbe Geoffrey,
et techniquement pas mal réussi.
Ces gerbes rouges sont d'une grande beauté et montre la synchronisation parfaite, le travail précis des artificiers.
Génial.
Daniel.

photographe3000 (51) 2005-07-21 18:17

Really good.
Red on black is always the good choice for a dazzling pic and you prove it.
Very far away from holiday shots and this is what I like.
bye

sayzey (2358) 2005-07-21 19:48

Well done geoffrey! This image is superb! I love skyscenes as they are but this one is extra special due to the fabulous fireworks!

Wow especially the left hand tower with the firework behind it!

Well done!

betogrein (2232) 2005-07-21 20:01

Good shot, great contrast of colours and depth of field. I like this.
Greetings.
Beto

pamastro (7215) 2005-07-21 20:09

As I said I'd be right here to check out the fireworks. This is quite a view. I still haven't gotten too many fireworks shots so that's one of the things I really like to see how other people got them so successfully. This is so crisp and clear and the silhouettes and lights are fine foreground to the stunning backdrop. They frame the buildings so well, especially the one exploding behind the RenCen. The buildings make the fireworks seem taller and more grand. You also made great use of the gap between downtown and the RenCen adding to the dynamism in the shot. It's full of energy. You had yourself an excellent vantage point.

I really wanted to get down there this year but didn't quite feel up to it after work. And thanks for linking to my shot of the RenCen. I'm honored.

kinginexile (2440) 2005-07-22 1:30

One of the best images tonight for me, geoffrey, these fireworks amidst a downtown landscape. So crucial to the power of your shot that they all came in red. Bravo, very special shot, i hope many people will see it, even outside TE.

PS: Maybe the signs on the buildings left could be dimmed a bit, but as an afterthought to truly enjoying this.

rbcy1974 (20748) 2005-07-22 3:06

Hi Geoffrey,
Congratulations, great shot, it looks like a postcard. Beautiful colours and clarity.
Regards
Daniel

quantabeh (5203) 2005-07-22 12:29

hi Geoffrey,
excellent firework shot. super nicely exposed, beautiful colors. just a super shot.
good work!

jpinkham (858) 2005-07-23 0:24

One of the nicest fireworks images I've seen. Very dramatic.

ndb1958 (9249) 2005-07-31 14:31

Hi Geoffrey,
great image with great colours and lightning.
Congratulation for this beautiful work!
Nino