Independence Day Fireworks in Boston

Let's try to photograph the 2nd of July fireworks in Boston harbor (the main event with music is on the 4th along the Charles River). I've only done this alone, never with a group, so this event will have special rules.

The idea is to be on the other side of the water as seen above, and to have the Boston skyline as a backdrop for the fireworks. The barges with the fireworks are floating and they do move around. Last year, they moved from north to south, so the composition will change.

Fireworks is stated to begin at 9:15, sunset is at 8:24. This won't be as busy as the 4th, but there will still be lots of people around, even at our chosen location. So, this time, you do not have to check in with the organizer, just find yourself some parking and a good spot, come earlier than the event suggests to secure yourself a good spot. If we get together, great, but if we spread out, that's fine, too, just post some pictures afterwards.

A 14 to 70mm range is most suited for this. If you have a 14-24 and 24-70 lens, bring both or any prime lens in that range. With ISO 100, plan on taking photos at 1/4 to 4 seconds, depending on how much motion you want to catch. Start with an aperture of 5.6 to 8. You may need to change settings back and forth, the fireworks is bright, but the city needs to be properly exposed, too. You want the skyline behind the fireworks and the fireworks is very high - vertical/portrait mode usually works best, unless you choose to go very wide. Going horizontal and wide gives you more options for cropping the best composition.