Red Beauty

Highlands, North Carolina, United States - 04 Jul 2025     

I love experimenting with the July 4th fireworks every year. This year i continued to use a focus sliding technique to zoom in while the fireworks were bursting you can create interesting images. The result is that the center is out of focus and the ends of the tendrils are in focus. It is very hard to get the technique right and on the right firework burst. I typically set the speed to 2-2.5 seconds but that can vary. ISO low at 100. Then set the focus at infinity and your lens on manual. You can also use Bulb mode but i find it easier to focus on a smooth zoom than managing Bulb mode.

Cal Holman Posted on 26 Sep 2026

EXIF