A Surprise Opportunity for Night Photography

[Chris of Arabia]

Not sure whether I've mentioned it, but I live not very far from the Janadriyah Cultural Festival site not far outside the edge of Riyadh. Every year, the festival attracts 100's of thousands of visitors from far and wide. Today is the first day, so the King has been visiting to open proceedings and get the roads blocked off for him. It was only around an hour ago that we heard an absolutely colossal bang and thought the bad guys were trying to pay us a call again - not quite so though. Out we trotted to the back of the house which face the direction of the Janadriyah site to see this stuff going on. With little time to spare, the camera and tripod were grabbed and set up where we were and a exposure setting guessed at. This is a sample of what I got.

#1

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3328459921_b94996b586_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-of-arabia/3328459921/)


#2

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3634/3328460337_09800104e8_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-of-arabia/3328460337/)


#3

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3328460709_8502383c65_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-of-arabia/3328460709/)


#4

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3329294198_a13e70a354_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-of-arabia/3329294198/)


#5

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3540/3328461847_ff9ef13840_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-of-arabia/3328461847/)


#6

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/3328462199_50159ef1c6_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chris-of-arabia/3328462199/)


I'd be the first to admit that the foreground is a little samey, but there wasn't really an opportunity to plan ahead for this and get a better position sorted out.

[PhotoJet]

I love how that last one looks like doves! Very nice! :)

[Antarctican]

^^^ That's exactly what crossed my mind when I saw that shot! A very interesting type of firework.

And I can just imagine you dashing to get your gear and set it up. Good work!

[MissMia]

Great shots! I've never seen fireworks like the ones in the last two shots.

It's always good to be prepared. Thanks for sharing these Chris.

[Terri]

I missed these - very nice! The last one is very unique.

For guessing at the exposures you did quite well. :thumbup: