Holidays like the 4th of July are fun for all ages. Not only is it a great time to spend with friends and family and to enjoy great food while celebrating our nation’s independence, but it also presents opportunities for photographers from the seasoned pro to the hobbyist. It is a great time to practice a variety of different shooting situations and photo skills or just catch that idea that has been rattling around in your head.
I caught this portrait while we were celebrating the 4th at my brother’s house with family and friends. My father is the type of guy that just likes to have fun. He is a big kid with a zest for life that is hard to find. So this was the perfect shot of him doing what he does.
Instead of killing the shot with a flash, you just use the fireworks as your only light source. I had this photo set to a manual shutter, meaning as long as I held the release, the shutter stayed open. I just guessed on the amount of time to hold it open and hand held the camera as still as possible.