Panoramic of the Marblehead Illumination

A panoramic of the Marblehead harbor illumination. The Marblehead Fireworks is a special event when compared to other Fireworks in New England. First... more

by Jeff Folger

Title

Panoramic of the Marblehead Illumination

Artist

Jeff Folger

Medium

Photograph - Digital Photography

Description

A panoramic of the Marblehead harbor illumination. The Marblehead Fireworks is a special event when compared to other Fireworks in New England. First Marblehead will normally hold their Marblehead Arts Festival on the same weekend when the 4th of July occurs on a Friday through Monday.
Next Marblehead has a harbor illumination that precedes the fireworks by 30 minutes. Early in the afternoon volunteers and residents who have homes along the harbor position red flares above the water line. At 30 minutes prior a member of Glovers regiment will fire a canon to alert everyone to ignite the flares. The illumination by itself is reason enough to be around the harbor as the sun sets.

Before the flares go out the fireworks will start just as the light leaves the sky. To me the very best pictures are from the first 10 or so salvos into the night sky. This way you have good detail in the sky, foreground and the fireworks aren't so bright as to force you to shoot real fast and not blow out the multicolored streamers of flame.

Depending on your location around the harbor, the Marblehead Fireworks can be seen from almost any vantage point around the harbor. I have shot from Fountain park, Seaside park, Chandler Hovey park. I also shot from Fort beach at low tide. (Remember! the big rocks can be slippery).


I've shot the Marblehead Fireworks from different points and each year that I make it there I try to find a new location. You can read my blog article on photographing the Marblehead and Salem fireworks here.

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Uploaded

April 11th, 2013