When I first started shooting the Marblehead fireworks, I ran into a bit of a conundrum – how to shoot the fireworks with Marblehead landmarks but not have people in the frame? As a rule, I try to keep people out of my landscape images and it seemed that I would have to break that rule when it came time to shoot the Marblehead fireworks display. That first year, I ended up with some shots with people and some without and found that I much preferred those with the spectators. The effect seemed to be to draw in the viewer and make them feel like part of the crowd in the moment of those incredible fireworks exploding over Marblehead harbor. The following year, I embraced the crowds and, in 2011, got one of my favorite shots of the fireworks finale at Fort Sewall
Since then, I have sought out locations in which I could capture spectators enjoying the Marblehead fireworks show. So it was that after getting some shots of the fireworks exploding over Little Harbor with an American flag on a crane and Marblehead lighthouse reflecting off the water below [shared on Friday – LINK], I crossed the street and set up to capture the finale and the crowd lined along Beacon Street mesmerized by the show unfolding before them. As before, I think this is my favorite image of the Marblehead fireworks for this year. Leave a comment and let me know which you prefer.
