Tips on Photographing Fireworks and a #bts Photo Story

A Happy Fourth of July! to those who celebrate.

For those interested in a few tips and tricks on how to photograph fireworks, here’s a link.

Today I also want to share the behind-the-scenes story of an image I called “I’m Still Standing.”

A few years ago, I started out by photographing the 4th of July fireworks and the resulting smoke that then surrounded Lady Liberty. Here’s the original shot.

Then, in post-production, as I kept looking at it, I realized that I needed to take my time and edit the image somehow.

I took another look and, to me, all that smoke really did appear as if it was ready to engulf the Statue of Liberty. And she was still standing there, as tall as she could, (she’s not too tall, to be honest), facing this “threatening” wave of smoke.

So, because, as many of you know, I love black-and-white photography, I converted the image to black and white and played with the contrast. I ended up with the image posted here.

Then I played with it some more. Playing with the settings of the b&w adjustment layer some more, I ended with the image posted below. I cleaned it up a bit (notice the top of the image), and I think that, of the three images, I like this image (below) the most.

Now that I had the image, I needed a title for my image. But what title and why?

Here’s how the title, I’m Still Standing, came to be:

On one hand, it’s about what the Statue of Liberty represents, and the thoughts and memories she brings to mind. On the other hand, there’s Elton John’s song, “I’m Still Standing” with its own symbolism and meaning. Hence, I decided to call my image “I’m Still Standing” (with variations of “I’m Still Standing in B&W” (or “W&B”).

Feel free to share which one you’d choose or prefer–color, b&w, or w&b–in the comments below. I’d love to hear from you.

Also, I wish those who celebrate the Fourth a safe and Happy Fourth of July!

I wish you all a safe and wonderful day, and, as always,

Thanks for stopping by!

Alina Oswald