Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year!







I had another go at fireworks photography tonight at a little different location on Haystack Hill than last year.  I'm glad we tried the new spot - it involves more of the town than just the church and I especially like the bottom photo that shows the creek in the foreground.

I have to say in hindsight I'm amazed by how good last year's photos were with a hundred dollar point-and-shoot, propped in a snowbank to try to hold the camera still.  This year, I had a brand new DSLR on a tripod but STILL have camera shake because I had to manually hold the shutter open for long periods.  NEXT year I'll either have the remote control or a cable operated shutter release, and I have a few ideas for a new location as well.  It just goes to show you, the camera is only part of the process . . . .

How was everyone else's New Years?  I'll post some goals tomorrow - I think I might aim high since last year's goals were pretty lofty and I ended up knocking out around 50%.  By the way, this is my 400th post on Sense of Place - thanks to those of you that have been around pretty much since the beginning and also all my new friends.  It's pretty cool that we are developing a little blogging community on the island - just 400 posts ago I think I was the only one, and now we have maybe 8 blogs of all different styles and flavors!  Cheers everyone, and enjoy the beginning of a fresh new year!

15 comments:

Kathy said...

Love the fireworks pictures, Steve. Totally feel your pain about the camera shake. Have you tried propping the camera on something soft but supportive (beanbag, ricebag) and then using the timer? Granted, not so good for fireworks shots, but it worked like a charm in Las Vegas, especially whie getting shots of the glass flower sculpture in the lobby of the Bellagio.

Hope you, Goldfish, Chico and everyone else in Dutch Harbour has a wonderful new year's day, that lasts all year long!

Steve J said...

Beutifull pictures.
I have never seen better fireworks than in Dutch. Something about being surrounded by mountains and over the water they always seemed magnificant.
All your pictures give me urges to return to Dutch. What a wonderful place to live.

Anonymous said...

Wow - beautiful fireworks photos. These are always so hard to get, but yours are awesome.

Happy New Year!

Suzassippi said...

Happy New Year and thanks for the fireworks, since I missed them here locally!

Kimi said...

Happy New Year! only have 2 resolutions. 1 is to lose 70 lbs the other is to meet Edgar Hansen. SImple, easy.

Mj in Md said...

Steve, your pictures are incredible..really hammers home how much I'd love to spend a year living up there. I'm Lauri's (Life on the Rock)cousin down in Maryland. She thinks I'm nuts, as does my family. I don't imagine I could live there forever, but I'd like to try a year or so. It's so different and, thanks largely in part to you, so incredibly Beautiful.
Keep up the great blogging, I've enjoyed my 'trips to Dutch'.
Marja
Oh, I hope you and yours have a great, health, prosperous New Year!

Gigi said...

Happy New Year, Steve. The fireworks photos are great--definitely hard to capture but you did such a good job. Congrats on 400 postings, too! That's definitely an accomplishment and you've led the way for the rest of us out in the Aleutians. We should have a blogger get-together one day!

Carlisleboy said...

Ok
No matter what, even when I get my photos off my dead camera will they EVER be able to match these shots!!!
You WIN!!!!
(Note to self, break big boy camera)

sunshiner said...

Awesome photos! Thaks for sharing.

Mystic said...

Wow! Lovely pictures Steve! How does Chico do with the noise from the fireworks? My pups can't stand the noise, and they hide under their covers.
Happy New Year to you, Goldfish and Chico!

Elizabeth Douglas said...

Gorgeous pics! It looks like the fireworks were absolutely lovely! It's so beautiful set against the water and the snow! Happy New Year to you and all of Unalaska!

Anonymous said...

Those are great Steve! That was a great spot you had for your pics. I cant imagine them being any prettier but if you have other ideas, go ahead. I'm a believer! Hope you had a great New Years Day and here's to 2009. Cheers to you...
pat

Alaska Steve said...

Kathy, a timer would be good but there are a couple better options - they make a remote control where you can hold the shutter open without touching the camera, and then there is the old standby, the shutter cable.

Steve, I enjoyed looking at the pictures of Dutch from the 80's and 90's on your blog - those must have been some great times to be out here! It's a lot quieter now but still a fantastic place to live.

Kim, that's a short list, you should be able to knock that out no problem!

Marja, this place isn't for everyone - I'm sure Lauri has told you that - but it can really be fantastic for some!

Gigi, we will have to get together sometime, I'm hoping to see you in January at book club if Amazon cooperated (I ordered on the 15th and still no books!). It looks like you're having a great time outside - I have to say you missed an amazing weather day up here today!

Mystic, Chico absolutely HATES the fireworks and the best solution we have found is to just bring him with us and keep him in the car. It beats leaving him along and terrified at the house . . . .

Cheers to everyone and thanks for your kind words. Next year I tell ya! I'll get some better ones!!

Cape Sarichef Aveda Salon (907)581-8100 said...

Excellent photos of the fireworks, I think it is great when you can actually see the fireworks instead of the colorful fog fireworks. I live on Nirvana, so seeing from your point is awesome!

Lori said...

The photos are great this year Steve! I missed the fireworks locally - daughter went to see them on the beach and said they were just "OK". I was so looking forward, this Monday morning to your pics! The best to you, Goldfish and Chico for a wonderful New Year! Your friend in FL.