Indpendence Day

Independence Day was beautiful and bright, sunny and not too hot (some years it has hit 100 degrees!).  Our family decided to go to our church's Independence Day celebration at the S. family's home, then on to see the Naperville fireworks.  This year, I wanted to make sure I got pictures of my own guys, then put the camera away to relax with my friends.  I spent a bit of time at the volleyball net, where Thomas, Joseph, and Fernando were playing.  (Jake spent the weekend with Allie and her family.)

Thomas sets the ball.

Thomas watches his dad bump.

Joseph watches his dad return the ball over the net.

Thomas is a pretty good jumper!

I caught the below shot of Danny with his friends--I can't think of a good caption, though!

Then it was on to the Naperville fireworks.  The Y. family went out really early to spread their blankets right across the street from where the city sets the fireworks off, so we all had an excellent view.  I walked the mile from the parking lot to the blankets in my flipflops, not thinking much about it until--I realized that the tripod mount for my camera was on the other camera.  And the other camera was in the car. 

Danny fast-walked with me all the way back to the car; he beat me there and unscrewed the tripod mount, then brought it to me as I was entering the parking lot--not quite a second mile.  Then we hightailed it back to the blankets--mile number three--where I decided to sit on the curb of the street so I could set up with a clear view.  Two very nice ladies allowed me to take up the bit of curb I needed to sit and shoot. 

The show started just as I was getting my camera situated, so I missed the first several fireworks.  But--praise the Lord--I was good to go after that, and got several great and interesting images.  I'm sharing just a few here, because I'm featuring them over on my website.

I kept the below image because even though  it was overexposed, it illuminated the action on the ground--the trucks, the flame, the smoke.

The finale!

Once the show was over, I could barely move my legs to walk the last mile back to the car.  That made four miles of exercise, in flipflops (at least they were the really nice arch-support ones!), on a holiday.  I thought there was a rule about not exercising on holidays, but relaxing and taking it easy.  Oh, well.  :)


Back to life,
Christine

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Independence -- Part Two

July 4, continued.

Fireworks!  I really love fireworks, especially as a photographer.  I won't go into technical details on my family blog, but this post really is about the camera, and the settings.  My brother Jeff met us for the night's show, too, and the two of us had fun figuring out settings and angles and exposures.  Enjoy our night with us!

Dusk.

I do need to explain the below image!  It was almost the same image as the one above; however, I pressed the shutter release, and moved the camera around.  Oops.  But I love the effect, like looking over misty hills, with wildly erratic lights drawing paths in the air.  :)

The first bursts in the air were very bright, and helped me figure out my camera settings.  Then I was good to go.

Happy birthday, America!!


Back to life,
Christine

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Independence -- Part One

July 4.

We spent this beautiful, perfect summer day--not too hot, not too humid--with church friends and family, celebrating our nation's independence.

Fernando and I, in patriotic wear.

Dad and Mom came with us to the S. home to celebrate.

Joseph didn't want his picture taken, but this is a decent smile for him!

Danny played Frisbee for a little bit.

Thomas taking a water break.

Corn toss!

The yard, the crowd, the fun!

John was our official griller.

Thomas played Zombie--a game the kids made up since the volleyball net was missing.

After the meal, everyone gathered for a reading of the Declaration of Independence.  We prayed together, sang the national anthem, and celebrated our freedom.  As the sun set, we prepared to gather to view the fireworks in Naperville...  (That's Part Two!)


Back to life,
Christine

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Random July 4 Post

I really didn't break out my camera much this Independence Day.  I took a handful of images, then put Ellie back in her bag and saved her for the evening fireworks, which are over on my photography blog.

We had a great time (and great weather, as opposed to last year's 103+-degree day!), spending the afternoon with friends and family.

We played corn toss (or bags, depending on where you live).  We re-recreated this awesome shot that our friend Cindy got.

Did I mention that we played Kissin' Corn Toss?  Yeah, you have to play against your spouse so that he can play on the same side as you.  So, Fernando and Chris were a team, and Cindy and I were a team.  Whenever someone would get a point, or a great shot (or just whatever reason), a kiss would be exchanged.  Our friends were camera-shy.  ;)

And, since Chris and Cindy are rabid LSU fans, Fernando posed the corn toss shot with a little advertising.

I took one last shot of Linda holding her newest grandbaby, little Esther.  Sweet!

Back to life,
Christine

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