Light Goes Boom
The local amusement park has had some "horror carnival" on the last few days and to end it, they put on a couple minutes of fireworks- Literally a couple minutes - well, maybe 3.5 minutes. Totally worth driving to find a spot and facing the minus temperatures? Yeah, probably, because I haven't got out with the camera for a while, so even getting a few minutes of something a bit different felt good.
There are meant to be Northern Lights tonight too, but whilst I was out I didn't see any and I am unsure if I am willing to "suit up" again to head out. Though, I really, really want to get an epic shot of the Aurora some day in my lifetime. I think they are awesome, and while some people I know here aren't that impressed by some "green lights in the sky", every time I see them I feel privileged in some way. It might be different if I was a lot further north and they were a daily occurrence, but they are relatively rare this far south. And generally, it is around midnight when they are active.
When I was a kid, I wasn't a big fan of fireworks. It wasn't the noise, I just thought they were lame. I never understood why people would get so excited over them, as it wasn't like they were created by Gandalf and are dragons and ships sailing through the air. However, since I got some pictures of them for the first time, I started to appreciate them more. Like many things, they look better in pictures - unlike me.
There are a couple times a year where it is legal to buy and set off fireworks and I am thinking that this New Year's Eve, I might buy a couple so that Smallsteps can see them released. They are really expensive though, which is why instead of fireworks, we have just had some sparklers.
I am a lame dad.
Every year, my wife tells the story of how her father wouldn't buy fireworks and would throw sparklers off the balcony, making "fireworks noises" as he did so. Life could be worse I think - and when I was growing up, I don't think I ever saw a sparkler for any event.
I actually don't know how common fireworks are around the world, but I suspect that many places don't really have them at all. Perhaps it is because in some places at least, there are bombs going off so often, that fireworks don't seem like good entertainment. And of course, these days, there is all the pollution conversation surrounding fireworks, which tends to be in countries that are selling those bombs to the warring countries. Seems hypocritical. But when there are profits to be made, the environment can screw itself.
May as well see some pretty lights.
Speaking of...
I think I might go for one last run and see if I can find some Northern lights to photograph. I would like to test my camera bit anyway, as when I was out there, there was a problem connecting it to my phone as a remote. I was trying to avoid touching the camera to limit shake, but couldn't. Not that it mattered anyway, as it was windy by the lake and my tripod is spindly and was quivering in the breeze.
Should have rested it on a rock or something instead.
Oh well.
It is nice to do something different on the weekend though!
Are you a fireworks fan, or hater?
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]
Nice pictures fireworks are synonymous with celebration are a small spark of happiness.
You like them? If there is snow on the ground at New Year, I will get some and take some pics - it is a bit different! :)
On the topic of environmental concerns, it's a valid point you've raised. The beauty of fireworks is indeed short-lived, and the environmental cost is something we should all be more conscious of. It's a complex issue that warrants a thoughtful conversation.
I wonder how firework celebrations compare in pollution to what is being dropped on Gaza at the moment?
Hate fireworks when not planned. Awful for dogs. But awesome to see a spectacular show! I know I shouldn't approve as they are an environmental nightmare... But pretty lights!!!
Love the aurora. We see the southern lights here sometimes. Beautiful. Never gets old.
Your father in law making firework noises... Lmao.
In SA, one of the radio stations used to put on a display each year timed to music. It went for about half an hour and was pretty cool - even for someone who didn't like fireworks at the time :)
I never had a chance to see them in the south. Another "one day"!
Definitely a bucket list. These days they have good monitoring and alerts. The past year has been a great year for them - and biophosperence! One guy captured both at the same time - I reckon that trumps fireworks hands down.
They've kinda stopped them here. Expensive and people are complaining about both expense and environmental cost. People who don't care about either thing are pretty mad about it.
I love to watch fireworks since childhood days. It's what we excitedly waited for every new year's eve until now.☺️
This time with my children.
Are you able to have your own? In Finland it is possible sometimes, but never in Australia.
Yes, here in our place we have a designated area for fireworks every New Year's Eve.
Unlike you huh! Haha!
Just like you, I used to not like fireworks. Hate is a strong word so... I simply didn't understand what the fuss was about. Cameras and its products isn't what changed my mind though, I just came to appreciate the beauty of the drama that is fireworks as I grew older. They're common here in Nigeria, although only during popular festivities and well, during weddings or other ceremonies of the financially wealthy. In some states up north, bombs have been a terror so I also think there'd be no fireworks there. Strongly believe there are not... it'd be cruel.
It would be cruel, wouldn't it? It is like backfiring cars for people with PTSD from war.
Here, they are illegal unless at special times or when arranged with permits like this event. I don't think they can do it for a wedding :)
Exactly!
I like fireworks from a distance.
I’ve had a healthy respect for pyrotechnics ever since a childhood friend of mine lost the tip of a finger to a (large) firecracker.
A few friends of mine from senior high school got into a bit of an issue with some homemade explosives (nerds playing as chemists). One took half a hand off and part of a leg, the other part of a leg. They were out in the bush (pre mobile phone) and the third had to run about 8 miles for help. Best not to dabble!
They are ok for short entertainment value things but spending thousands of dollars on it? Nah I’m good lol. There’s a reason why they are always “buy one get one free!!” At the local fireworks stores.
My parents got fireworks a few times when I was a kid but it was just something we would go to see at the beach on Independence Day. Still a decent thing for kids to experience! I wouldn’t mind getting some for my son for next year, he’s old enough now that I think he would enjoy it more than he would before.
There are neighbours down the road who every second year, put on a local show for new years - they spend so much on buying them!
I think it is more of a thing for me here, because in Australia, they are illegal. Especially at New Years when it can be 40C (over 100F) :D
I like fireworks on occasions, and if they're well thought out and high quality. Being from the Philippines, fireworks are a common thing. One of our malls have them every weekend. I think one amusement park has it every night they are open, and almost every house does it on New Years. The choreographed ones are really nice, while the dangerous ones are scary. We've had a lot of accidents from fireworks over the years.
Same here every year. Lots of eye injuries and missing fingers.
Careful with the fireworks if you get any, they're hazardous because people aren't careful with them and blow their fingers off apparently.
Good luck finding some northern lights :D
I love the pretty lights but I hate the noise (it hurts my ears) and I don't like the prickle either but it's at least tolerable unlike power stations, approaching trains and pretty much anywhere there's a too high concentration of one type of emotion/energy.
@preparedwombat 's friend!
The prickle? I need some explanation please :)
I hope that meant we feel the same way and not that preparedwombat blew their fingers off with fireworks D:
I think another description for that feeling might be "skin crawling", have you had that one? If not it's similar to that feeling when you feel a bug crawling on you or immediately before turning into a ninja after walking through a spider web. For some of us being around an energy source/discharge (usually of a "decent" size like an approaching electric train, fireworks, a gun going off, power lines, worship centres, cemeteries, war memorials, or anywhere something significant happened) causes the skin prickle/crawling feeling.
I've always liked them. They are part of all towns festivity events here and there are even fireworks festivals, although lately they have started to replace them with drones. I see the benefits of creating amazing imposible light figures with drones, the beauty of real fireworks is much more romantic than the tech of drones, similar to the difference between a book and an e-book. And I have never had a chance to see the aurora, but I am sure it beats by far any firework event.
That's in my todo list!
I have never seen the drone shows live. Might be interesting I guess, but you are right, doesn't seem as romantic.
If it wasn't so cold when they are about (they are often around up north, but in the summer there is sun of course), I would just lay down and stair at them for hours.
Normally a hater. On the new years I go to sleep before midnight but often I still wake up due to fireworks. Falling back to sleep is harder.
Dogs generally aren't fans of them either ;)
surprisingly enough my Lota was not afraid of fireworks.
I never had the opportunity to be gifted fireworks ever since I was little
I love them though
When I was a kid, I made my own out of shaved sparklers :D
One thing I love fireworks is the vibes it brings, especially on new year eves. that new year feelings, lol. But sometimes it seems to me like it is an unnecessary act, I guess it is because of the noise.
I have been to a few where they are in the city - must be annoying for those who don't like them!
Personally, I really love fireworks, admiring what chemistry and physics can do under an emotional perspective. Still, I am personally against them as I read many studies on how much pain they cause in animals making them completely non-sense to me, now
The coordinated shows have always amazed me. Must take lots of calculations to get it right.
I have seen dogs freak out, but I have also seen dogs that don't care that much about it. Not sure about what happens to wild animals, though there aren't that many about in these places.
You should take that epic photo of it because many people are craving to see it before death :)
I know! I think I would have to go up north for it - but then it will be minus 30!
What I don't like about fireworks is the sound... I'd rather go hunting for northern lights or I'd rather paint with light at night with my camera. 😉
Oh, I've always been so excited about the northern lights. Brings out my Disney and sentimental side 🤭.
I quite enjoy them, especially when they are set to music. Here in the USA, fireworks are a right of passage on our Independence Day -- July 4th. My home city of New York is well known for its extravagant fireworks displays that in past years have lasted for over 20 minutes and are televised on live TV!
There is also a growing trend to include massive fireworks displays during the EDM festivals that I attend. Nobody does it better than Insomniac, the production company that runs Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC). These firework displays last for nearly 10 minutes and there is music blaring from many different stages. While fireworks always look best in person, I'm typically holding my camera to record the extensive display while also enjoying them with my naked eyes. We'll see if I can post one of the videos here to Hive once I get on my mobile phone that has all the EDC fireworks content.
I'm glad you have come around to the spectacle of fireworks.