If you’ve ever tried to capture a photo of fireworks, you know how difficult it can be. Often, the result is a streak of color against a black sky, utterly devoid of the real thing’s grandeur. But it’s tough for experts, too. This shot of Egg Harbor’s Fourth of July fireworks is one of Door County pro shooter Luke Collins’ favorites.
Amidst the throngs of people, he set up a tripod next to the harbor’s iconic signpost – serendipity, he says, not intention. Once the booms began, Collins kept his shutter open and created multiple exposures manually, removing the lens cap when a shell exploded.
The key, he says, was finding the right light balance to keep all the gorgeous context – the boats, the people, the houses lit up on the bluff. A note for fireworks enthusiasts looking to double-dip: Egg Harbor holds its Independence Day celebration on July 3 every year.
