Marblehead Fireworks from Riverhead Beach

The 2014 edition of the Marblehead Fireworks ran into a major obstacle as a hurricane formed and arrived on Friday, July 4. With a rain date of Saturday, July 5th, it seemed the show would go on. Unfortunately, the hurricane left rough seas in its wake and the barge operator called off the show owing to dangerous conditions in transporting the fireworks. As disappointed as I was not to be able to capture the fireworks this year (I had a good spot planned out), I decided to head out and focus my efforts on the unique Marblehead tradition of the [...]

By Eyal Oren|2014-07-06T22:58:00-04:00July 5th, 2014|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: fireworks, harbor illumination, Riverhead beach|0 Comments

Marblehead Fireworks Finale – The Crowd on Beacon Street

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 [...]

By Eyal Oren|2016-11-06T12:05:55-05:00July 8th, 2013|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: Beacon Street, fireworks, people|0 Comments

Fireworks over Little Harbor in Marblehead

Marblehead is consistently ranked in the top 10 fireworks shows in the United States and each year the Marblehead Fireworks and Harbor Illumination committee seems to outdo itself. This is my fifth year in Marblehead and the fifth opportunity to shoot the fireworks display. With each year I've learned a bit more about shooting these amazing displays of light and sound. Having shot the Marblehead fireworks from Crocker Park, Fort Sewall and Chandler Hovey (twice), I was on the lookout for new vantage points from which to capture the incredible display. I spent much of Tuesday evening and Wednesday scouting [...]

By Eyal Oren|2014-04-20T15:29:24-04:00July 4th, 2013|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: American flag, fireworks, lighthouse, Little Harbor|0 Comments

Annual Marblehead Harbor Lighting

Less than 100 days remain until we can bask in the warmth and gaze at the beauty of the Annual Marblehead Harbor Lighting. This image was taken within 2 months of our arrival in town. As many of you know, we moved here from Washington, DC in May 2008 when I started work as an Allergist at the Asthma and Allergy Affiliates. I had little knowledge or expectations for the annual fireworks display having been spoiled by the show in Boston and DC in the past few years. I decided to head out on my bike and see if I [...]

By Eyal Oren|2016-11-06T12:06:00-05:00March 27th, 2013|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: fireworks, Marblehead Harbor|2 Comments

Harbor Illumination

A gigapixel view of the Marblehead Harbor Illumination iPhone/iPad users - click the grey title bar for an iPhone friendly version (pinch to zoom that one). Before the fireworks began, I had another image in mind and carefully setup to try to achieve what you see above. I photographed the Marblehead harbor illumination at a focal length of 105mm (approximately 4x zoom equivalent) using 28 vertical images. The combined image is a staggering 325 megapixels. I then uploaded it to Gigapan and embedded their viewer above. By using the controls, you can zoom in as far as you want and [...]

By Eyal Oren|2016-11-06T12:06:14-05:00July 6th, 2012|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: fireworks, full moon, harbor illumination, July 4th, lighthouse, Marblehead Harbor, panorama|2 Comments

Fireworks from Crocker Park

Another Fourth of July has come and gone and, with it, another incredible fireworks display over the harbor. I struggled in choosing a spot for this year's show. I had previously shot twice from Chandler Hovey park and once from Fort Sewall. After scouting areas early this week, I decided on Crocker Park. As I did in the past two years, I sought a vantage point from which I could include the crowd. I found that seeing people in the image helped pull me in and make me feel like I was there (well, you know what I mean). I [...]

By Eyal Oren|2016-11-06T12:06:14-05:00July 4th, 2012|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: boats, Crocker park, fireworks, lighthouse, Marblehead Harbor, people|0 Comments

Marblehead Fireworks – Best Show Around

I couldn't think of a better image to start off this extended Fourth of July weekend than my first shot of Marblehead fireworks. Since I started this site in August 2010, this image taken from the 2009 show has never been shared. Seemed like a great way to set the scene for what promises to be a great week. I'm posting my other Marblehead fireworks images below for those who may have missed them or just want a taste of what's to come this Wednesday (in Marblehead). Update: New in 2014, you can donate to the Marblehead Fireworks online! The [...]

By Eyal Oren|2016-11-06T12:06:14-05:00June 29th, 2012|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: Chandler Hovey park, fireworks, lighthouse, people|5 Comments

The Grand Finale

After shooting the beginning of the fireworks display from the rocks at Fort Sewall, I made my way back toward the fort with an idea for the grand finale. As expected, the conclusion of the fireworks show was intense with a rapid succession of fireworks going off. I used the great tree as cover to shield the camera from the brightest parts of the explosions and hoped that I could get a long enough exposure to again show the crowd watching in rapt attention. As the fireworks display is privately funded, I will be donating 20% of the proceeds from [...]

By Eyal Oren|2016-11-06T12:06:29-05:00July 7th, 2011|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: fireworks, Fort Sewall, lighthouse, long exposure, tree|2 Comments

Fireworks over the Harbor

Marblehead was recently voted in the top 15 for locations to watch fireworks on the Fourth of July. Looking at this scene of people gathered on the rocks of Fort Sewall with the light of the fireworks balanced by the lighthouse and flares illuminating the harbor, it really is no wonder. The fireworks committee put on a great show again this year which went off on schedule despite the threat of storms in the area. As the fireworks display is privately funded, I will be donating 20% of the proceeds from sales of any past and future fireworks images towards [...]

By Eyal Oren|2016-11-06T12:06:29-05:00July 6th, 2011|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: boats, fireworks, harbor illumination, lighthouse, Marblehead Harbor, ocean, reflection|5 Comments

Light up the Harbor

As a prelude to the fireworks to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Marblehead harbor is illuminated with flares. I'm not sure when this tradition began but the illumination rivals the fireworks display. Bright red flares, placed by volunteers, line the entire harbor and are set off at 8:45pm. I decided to shoot from Front Street beach as the tide was low and I could put the ever-present row boats in the frame. You can see the flares lining the Neck and Chandler Hovey park as well.

By Eyal Oren|2013-06-06T22:28:23-04:00July 5th, 2011|Categories: Fireworks|Tags: boats, Fort Sewall, Front Street, harbor illumination, lighthouse, Marblehead Harbor|7 Comments