July 4th Fireworks - Saratoga's Congress Park

Photograph the Fireworks!

For a listing of area fireworks displays and family activities, please visit:

https://www.news10.com/news/local-news/where-to-watch-4th-of-july-fireworks-in-the-capital-region/

Anyone interested in photographing fireworks in Saratoga is welcome to join each other "somewhere" in/at Congress Park. Arrive early to get a prime spot.

*Fireworks to begin about/after 9pm (dusk), get there early to meet other members and find a great spot.

http://www.saratogajuly4th.com/

Please review comments to make arrangement to meet other group members to gather and celebrate our Independence! Be sure to post where you would like to meet.

The Fireworks will be launched from behind the Congress Park Carousel (same location as First Night.) While they should be viewable from all areas surrounding Congress Park, the best viewing will be:
Spring St. (closed to traffic)
Putnam St. (closed to traffic)
Henry St. (closed to traffic)
Phila St. parking deck
parts of the south side of Union Ave.
Broadway in front of Congress Park
Behind and around the Sprit of Life in Congress Park

The ground show (small fireworks displays while the big ones are being reloaded) will only be visible from close to Congress Park along Spring Street. For a general reference, most of the fireworks will be launched about three times higher than the closest trees.

There will be no meetup fee for this meetup.

Please feel free to share your images in our group facebook page or our meetup album (Fireworks 2025). Only members have access:
https://www.meetup.com/tcrpmg/photos/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/181008728623643/

TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHING FIREWORKS:

Please share your own successful tips as well!

Always use a TRIPOD for the most pleasing results!

Use your remote or cable release if you have one

TURN OFF EVERYTHING AUTO!

Turn OFF Autofocus, Image Stabilization and Vibration Reduction

Manually pre-focus to save time if you can

Shoot using MANUAL MODE for full control! Try using Shutter Priority if Manual scares you ;)

ISO:

Use the lowest ISO possible to prevent digital noise (such as ISO 100 or 200)

If you don't have a tripod, go for ISO 400 or 800 to prevent camera shake

Turn OFF your vibration reduction feature when using a tripod

SHUTTER SPEEDS:

Use a slow shutter speed to capture great light trails and get more than one burst in your frame. Aim between 1-4 seconds for this effect. Tripod a must!

Experiment with your BULB setting. Your shutter will remain open for as long as you depress your shutter button. Tripod a must! Use a cable release as opposed to depressing your shutter button manually, you may risk camera shake.

APERTURE:

I would recommend you start at F8. Wider apertures tend to lead to overexposure. Open aperture in small increments if your images are coming out too dark.

If your colored fireworks appear too white, adjust your aperture down to F11. Adjusting your shutter speed may cause you to lose those nice light trails so be aware of your settings and your primary preference for your fireworks photos.

Happy Photographing!

~Angela~