As challenging as the fireworks show was to capture, my perch atop the Corinthian Yacht Club afforded me an unparalleled view of the harbor illumination. At its peak with red flares ringing the harbor, the low clouds/fog opened up just enough to let through a bit of sunset light. The end result was magical and, as it would turn out, the sunset illumination far surpassed the views during the fireworks show itself.
Before the first volley of fireworks is launched overhead, Marblehead residents (with help from the Boy Scouts) light flares encircling the harbor. The red flares are perfectly balanced by the deep blues of the sky and water in this blue hour. This year, I captured the view around Chandler Hovey Park from across the harbor at Fort Beach. With it being low tide, I was able to make my way between rocks for a water level view of the boats waiting for the show and the lights reflected in the harbor.
With this year's fireworks set to start at low tide, I had a few ideas in mind all centered around Front Street. I explored various spots including the rocks at Fort Beach but made a last minute decision to start shooting from Lovis Cave next to the Barnacle. The first volleys began as the flares from the harbor illumination were still burning brightly so I composed a wider shot to include the flares at Fort Sewall as well as those at Chandler Hovey Park. I lucked out with this image capturing the red explosion and the leading tail of the [...]
One more shot to make up for the missed show this year. This one comes from July 4, 2017 when I set up at the Pleon and was able to capture some of the flares lighting up the harbor and the first fireworks exploding in the air over Marblehead harbor. Happy Independence Day!
Two years ago, I decided to capture the annual harbor illumination and fireworks show from atop the causeway. I had on my longest lens and, when the flares were lit, took my time capturing endless scenes of this great tradition. Sadly, the harbor illumination will not be taking place this year due to COVID-19 restrictions and the very prudent attempts to limit gatherings. At least we can recall the beauty of this tradition with this image of Abbot hall towering over the homes along Cliff Street with the water of Riverhead reflecting the red glow of the flares.
I've said it before but it bears repeating, my favorite part of the annual Independence Day celebration in Marblehead is the July fourth harbor illumination. In 2015, I had set up along Corinthian Lane and captured this 160 megapixel panorama of the entirety of Marblehead harbor lit with flares. The resolution on this image is incredible with 1:1 views showing people at Crocker Park! Hope you have a good spot picked out to celebrate the Fourth of July in Marblehead.
With temperatures due to pass 90 today and tomorrow, I was in the mood to look back at images from an equally warm Fourth of July this year. I have only shared one image of the harbor illumination that took place that night and thought this image would be a nice way to start the week. The sight of red flares lighting up the harbor remains my favorite part of the July 4th festivities in Marblehead. This year, I was able to capture the magical illumination on both sides of the harbor from my spot along the causeway and with [...]
Fireworks are used to celebrate Independence Day in just about every town in the United States but the annual harbor illumination makes Marblehead a truly unique spot to celebrate the birth of this country. I had decided to shoot the show from the causeway this year in large part because it offered some new vantage points for capturing the red flares encircling the harbor. At 8:45pm the red lights began to glow and hit their peak at 9:00pm. I was able to capture images of Marblehead Light, Fort Sewall, and this one of Abbot Hall standing tall over the flares [...]
I'm not sure about anyone else but time seems to be flying by as we approach the Fourth of July. The Festival of Arts begins this weekend and fireworks are due to be fired over the harbor in one week! I decided to look back in my 'to be published' folder for images from past Julys and found this shot of the harbor illumination with lit flares around the harbor leading up to the fireworks show. The harbor illumination is my favorite part of the night as it is such a unique Marblehead tradition. If you want to scout out [...]
While the annual Marblehead Fireworks show is a perfect way to celebrate the Fourth of July, the Harbor Illumination that precedes it is a unique Marblehead tradition that has become my favorite part of the night. Knowing that I would be shooting from the Pleon Yacht Club this year, I told note of the location of the flares set up by the boy scouts and had this composition in mind when the flares were lit. The resulting scene with red flares and a blue sky with perfect reflections in the water of the harbor made for my third favorite image [...]