Fireworks and 4th of July are about as American as apple pie and baseball. I love the 4th of July. Growing up on Lake George, 4th of July is our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years all rolled into one amazing day. This time of the year is the capstone for our region. From tourist and summer residents to locals and vagabonds who brave the cold and unforgiving winters, everyone in the area celebrates the same way. Enjoying Lake George during the day and blowing up a lot of fireworks in the evening.

Black and White Firework with Tree Line- Bulb Exposure - Echo Bay NY

Lake George has four major firework shows. The towns of Lake George, Bolton Landing, Hague, and Ticonderoga all put on firework shows around Lake George. Then there are the private shows. These private shows can go on as long or longer than the public firework displays. This year, we had two of the best private shows in the region.

Multiple Fireworks - Bulb Exposure - Echo Bay NY

Some of these private shows can last up to an hour or longer. Over the past five years, two of my neighbors have gotten into the tradition of these private shows. Some might say, they have gotten into a pissing match of sorts. Luckily I was there with my camera to see who put on the better show.

Starry Eyed Surprise - Bulb Exposure - Echo Bay NY — Starry Eyed Surprise - Bulb Exposure - Echo Bay NY

The majority of my firework photographs were created using the bulb shutter speed. This setting allows the the photographer to choose the length of the exposure for the image. This setting is especially helpful when taking photos of stars, fireworks, and creating images with light streaks.

The image above called Starry Eyed Surprise is my favorite image of the series. The image has wonderful contrast between the color of the firework, the outline of the tree and ridge line in the back ground. It has a vintage feel with a mix of modern. I especially appreciate the color of the sky. This image might turn into a color palette for future marketing material. We shall see.