The local amusement park has had some "horror carnival" on the last few days and to end it, they put on a couple minutes of fireworks- Literally a couple minutes - well, maybe 3.5 minutes. Totally worth driving to find a spot and facing the minus temperatures? Yeah, probably, because I haven't got out with the camera for a while, so even getting a few minutes of something a bit different felt good.
There are meant to be Northern Lights tonight too, but whilst I was out I didn't see any and I am unsure if I am willing to "suit up" again to head out. Though, I really, really want to get an epic shot of the Aurora some day in my lifetime. I think they are awesome, and while some people I know here aren't that impressed by some "green lights in the sky", every time I see them I feel privileged in some way. It might be different if I was a lot further north and they were a daily occurrence, but they are relatively rare this far south. And generally, it is around midnight when they are active.
When I was a kid, I wasn't a big fan of fireworks. It wasn't the noise, I just thought they were lame. I never understood why people would get so excited over them, as it wasn't like they were created by Gandalf and are dragons and ships sailing through the air. However, since I got some pictures of them for the first time, I started to appreciate them more. Like many things, they look better in pictures - unlike me.
There are a couple times a year where it is legal to buy and set off fireworks and I am thinking that this New Year's Eve, I might buy a couple so that Smallsteps can see them released. They are really expensive though, which is why instead of fireworks, we have just had some sparklers.
I am a lame dad.
Every year, my wife tells the story of how her father wouldn't buy fireworks and would throw sparklers off the balcony, making "fireworks noises" as he did so. Life could be worse I think - and when I was growing up, I don't think I ever saw a sparkler for any event.
I actually don't know how common fireworks are around the world, but I suspect that many places don't really have them at all. Perhaps it is because in some places at least, there are bombs going off so often, that fireworks don't seem like good entertainment. And of course, these days, there is all the pollution conversation surrounding fireworks, which tends to be in countries that are selling those bombs to the warring countries. Seems hypocritical. But when there are profits to be made, the environment can screw itself.
May as well see some pretty lights.
Speaking of...
I think I might go for one last run and see if I can find some Northern lights to photograph. I would like to test my camera bit anyway, as when I was out there, there was a problem connecting it to my phone as a remote. I was trying to avoid touching the camera to limit shake, but couldn't. Not that it mattered anyway, as it was windy by the lake and my tripod is spindly and was quivering in the breeze.
Should have rested it on a rock or something instead.
Oh well.
It is nice to do something different on the weekend though!
Are you a fireworks fan, or hater?
Taraz
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