The first thing one may think of when photographing the Fourth of July is getting shots of fireworks. The highlight of the holiday may be the display of pyrotechnics, but there actually are many events associated with Independence Day. That provides numerous opportunities for getting unique images.
You can easily find technical information on the internet on how to obtain superb pictures of fireworks, but there is more to it than setting your camera properly. It\'s important to be familiar with the area where you\'re going to photograph the fireworks. Will there be trees or other obstructions? Is it a reasonable walk from where you park the car to the viewing area? You may want to use a suitcase with rollers to carry your equipment. What about the crowds? A tripod is necessary for photographing fireworks but you may end up with a broken camera if you\'re setting up in a spot with dynamic pedestrian traffic.
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The fourth wouldn\'t be the same without a parade! Virtually every community in America will have a parade and they can be a lot of fun to photograph. Again, it may be crowded so you will need to choose your equipment where it allows you to slip in between the people without any issues. Information should be available indicating the route and direction. This allows you to plan the best place to photograph. Being on the wrong side of the street in regard to the sun can make or break your ability to get good shots.
You may want to consider hanging around where the participants gather at the start of the parade. Here the people in the parade are preparing themselves and interacting with each other. You can capture the parade in a more informal fashion that is beyond the traditional scenes. Access is sometimes restricted but it\'s something to consider.
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What can be more American than baseball? It may be a national holiday but major league baseball has games scheduled. Going to the ballpark can be a great way to celebrate being an American and it\'s also another opportunity for capturing some unique pictures. Most people make the mistake of arriving to the game shortly before it starts but there are all kinds of things going on hours before the game begins. At some stadiums people tailgate and party in the parking lot. There are pre-game warm ups and practice. You can get right down to the field and sit in the first row while the players are going through the pre-game rituals. Kids will be trying to get autographs, and more kids will be hot for catching a ball from batting practice. Once the game starts your photography is pretty much confined to your ticketed seat but you have the whole stadium to wander before the game. A simple image of a fan eating a hot dog could be the next viral sensation on the internet if you\'re lucky to capture the true essence of being an American.
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The Fourth of July is also a weekend of picnics. The parks will be full of people with family and friends barbecuing and socializing. While these are generally private affairs you can still photograph at a distance. There will be volleyball games, people on bikes, kids running through the playground, and more. A park full of people is a great location to try and grab those iconic images of humanity and human interaction and American traditions.
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In addition to the usual excitement of Independence Day, there are many regional events you can attend and photograph. Some locations will have Revolutionary War reenactments. It\'s an opportunity to photograph people in period costumes and a mock battle. There are historical sites throughout the country with living history programs that will have special events for the holiday.
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Some locations will have different kinds of festivals and fun for all. There are rodeos, demolition derbys, tractor pulls, and more. People will be out and about and having fun and enjoying their freedom as Americans. When people are out and engaging in unique activities, that\'s some of the best chances you can have for photographing Americans engaged in their American way of life.
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So yeah, get out there and get some fantastic pictures of the fireworks. But don\'t forget to photograph the rest of the Fourth if July! And have fun while doing it!
About the author:
Kevin Thomas is a professional photogrpher who contributes his work and expertise to the Dreamstime stock photography community. You can view his portfolio of images here: http://www.dreamstime.com/wisconsinart_info