Fourth of July

10 Tips for Capturing Fireworks This Fourth of July


Brooklyn holiday skyline

Featured in Freeman's The Photographer's Eye Field Guide, this Brooklyn holiday skyline was taken with focal length 35mm and ISO 100. (Photo: Business Wire)

Are you planning to photograph this year's Fourth of July fireworks displays?

Take some advice from international photographer, Smithsonian magazine lead photographer and Focal Press photography book author Michael Freeman. Freeman offers his Fourth of July photography advice below:

1. Anticipate the action: Research when the show begins, ends, and how high the fireworks will be. Secure an unobstructed view by arriving early, and then consider the background and foreground of your shot. Try different zooms or interchangeable lenses, and experiment with buildings to give scale and anchor to your shots. Use the first few bursts to finalize your lens, focal length and framing.

2. Let the fireworks do the moving: You'll need a long shutter speed and a perfectly steady camera. If you have a tripod, use it!

3. No tripod? Find a solid surface at head or waist height with an unobstructed view. Use something soft to balance your camera. A Ziploc bag filled with beans or rice will hold your camera steady once you've pressed it down firmly. Read more

Great Gadgets and Gear for Your Fourth of July Celebration

by jessica on Fri, 2011-07-01 12:47


Coloud Flags Headphones

In honor of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, we've rounded up some patriotic gear – everything from a Swashbuckling BBQ sword to USA flag headphones. Check it out and see what fun stuff could make this your best Fourth of July yet!

Coloud: Flags Headphones
Patriotic and stylish headphones

  • Features 3.5mm jack, remote and mic compatible with devices including iPhone, Blackberry and HTC phones and more
  • 3 patriotic designs fit any user's personal style and daily wardrobe selection
  • Available in USA, Jamaica and Brazil flag designs

Available at: Coloud.com
Price: $40
Website: www.Coloud.comRead more

Orbitz: New York Most Popular Fourth of July Destination

by jessica on Fri, 2011-06-24 05:00


Statue of Liberty

Where will you be spending your Fourth of July holiday? According to the Orbitz Insider Index, New York tops the list of the most popular Fourth of July destinations, despite increases in average airfare and average daily rate at local hotels. Orland, Chicago, Las Vegas and Denver round out the top 5 most popular destinations – some with significant increases in average daily rates (except for Las Vegas, which is a bargain by any standard).

Did you know:

  • Las Vegas offers the the best deals from the cities on the top 10 Independence Day Weekend destinations - hotel rates in Sin City are down by an average of 24% this year and airfares are also down 9% from last year.
  • Other deals among the 4th hot spots are in Orlando, Washington and Las Vegas, where hotel rooms average under $100/night.
  • Cities where hotel rates are up the most YOY are in Seattle (hotels are up 28% for an average rate of about $130/night) and San Francisco, where hotels are up 19%, to about $150/night.
Read more

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