Fireworks photography TIPS and I challenge you

I can't wait for this 4th of July weekend. Saturday night there will be a plethora of fireworks on the lake.
So here is the deal....I wanted to share a few photographic tips for you about getting those great fireworks shots as well as asking you to post them on my Facebook page and  wait and see the reaction and feedback you will get. Who ever gets the most comments I will give a free one hour Skype photo session too. You game?????

So first off, remember to go somewhere that fireworks are going to take place. I am sure my sons are rolling their eyes and this comment. I had to  start off with a bit of levity.

Really first, have a tripod or a stable place that you can prop your camera up on. Flash doesn't work for fireworks yet it can be an interesting addition if you have other objects, ie people in the foreground to light them up with a back drop of the fireworks. Remember this is a time to explore and sometimes the best mistakes are the most interesting imagery. DIGITAL IS PERFECT FOR LEARNING HOW TO DO LONG EXPOSURE PHOTOGRAPHY.

If you have a remote or a cable release please use it!

Use manual focus.

Try setting up before it gets too dark.

ISO 400.

Try using as close to F 11 or F 16

Shutter speeds at 2 seconds to 10 seconds is great. Different times will yield different results. If you have a bulb setting on your camera that would be the best.

Check you histograms to make sure your exposure is correct.

Start with photographing one burst of fireworks at a time.

Once you get in the groove experiment and try multiple of fireworks rocketing at the same time.

Use different zooms for different results.

Lastly have a blast!

Don't forget to post them!

Finding your visual voice workshop at Peters Valley

WOW, I don't even know where to begin. What an incredible workshop. The students went way above and beyond. I asked a lot from all of them and the work they produced was amazing. I am hoping to post some of their images soon. Nicole was with me and of course such a huge asset. She is so brilliant on both sides of the camera. The wisdom she brings is amazing. I can't thank everyone at Peters Valley enough for making this such an fabulous workshop for all.

 We learned method acting and after a scenario model Nicole Cudzilo,Jackly Scott and Bryce Perler look on.
Kate Lipsky's camera

 Yes we were serenaded while we were photographing!!!!

 Nicole modeling for the group. This was our first shoot, of course we had to start with a glamour session.

 We found this incredible place, where the famous metalsmith Marie Zimmermann, lived and the curator lets us photograph in her house. One of my students let me turn the camera on her. Lizz Codner. What a wonderful model.

The question of the century...does Nicole Cudzilo like being a model or the photographer more? I do know the answer to that...BOTH. She proves that in these self portraits!

I can't thank her enough for all she did to help make our workshop such a successful one! Love you girl.

An afternoon of indulgence at Spruce Home and Garden

Spruce Home and Garden in New Milford Ct.

Join us at Spruce Home & Garden for
a one-day only special event - Saturday, June 11th from 12- 5.

Learn the art of fragrance combining and create your signature scent
at our Jo Malone Trunk Show.
Receive special discounts and free shipping on this exclusive
collection for the bath, body and home.

Treat yourself to a mini photo session with award winning
photographer Laurie Klein.
Choose a flower as an object of inspiration and empowerment and let
Laurie capture the moment.

Meet Toni Alexander of Olivina - Napa Valley.
Experience this unique skin care packed with nourishing
from - the - earth ingredients like grapeseed and olive oil.
Receive a raffle entry for a deluxe gift basket of Olivina products with
every $50.00 Olivina purchase.

Champagne and light crudités

How to turn water into wine?! I challenge all of you!

Sunday Meredith Gray http://www.naked-documentary.com came up to the lake for a photo shoot. I love photographing this amazing woman.  During the shoot my infrared camera broke down. I was really upset and my emotions were all over the place. I wasn't ready to stop photographing and I had all of these negatives feeling going on inside of me. SO what choice did I have? I could pack up and call it a day or use those feelings to go in a different direction and get out of my box a bit.  So I picked up the color camera and decided to channel into those feelings and get close up and personal. Meredith said look at those cobwebs! The light was beautiful and I said here we go. After looking at the photographs when we were done I didn't even recognize the photos as mine. I am really excited about them and the metaphors that have been recorded. This all happened because my infrared camera went down and I taped into my emotions. What a gift.
How about you? Take a negative emotion you felt in the past couple of days and feel it again. My coach Hal Tweedy http://dreambiggercoaching.com/ calls tapping into your  sense memory. Then go out and photograph, you never know what might happen. Share the images with me on http://www.facebook.com/pages/Laurie-Klein-Photography/97469142639.