Bob Crum

Make no mistake, buying a 'real' camera is akin to winning the PowerBall lottery. Well, almost. It's certainly a big first step on the exciting path of photography.

Photographic expertise evolves in several stages. The fist stage involves the photographer (note the distinction between a 'photographer' and a 'phonetographer') shooting everything and anything. Many will only want to make pictures to have something to remember of birthdays, holidays, vacations and various special events. Others take pictures as a hobby. All fine & dandy! During this stage, the camera is most likely in 'P' mode. (P mode = Program mode not 'Professional' mode.)

Throughout the second stage, the newbie continues to shoot everything and anything: If it's visible it's fair game. At this stage, there is little thought, if any, about composition. Or the camera settings. In fact, the camera is probably still in 'P' mode where everything is automatic and the images processed according to the camera's default settings. Actually, this a OK if it gets the would-be photographer making pictures as if every picture is worthy of a Pulitzer prize. But if the photos stink, of course it's the camera's fault!

At this stage, a typical trait is s/he shoots as if it's a sin not to fill the memory card on every occasion. Obviously 78 pictures of the same donkey is a bit too much. If you must fill the memory card, find a herd of donkeys to photograph. Also at this stage the would-be photographer doesn't ever delete any photos and insists on showing their friends all the photos because of course they are all awesome. Note to would-be photographers: First serve friends strawberry margaritas before the parade of donkey photos!

As the would-be photographer gains experience, s/he advances to the third stage. Here, the photographer arrives at an important turning point. This is the stage where the would-be photographer goes from picture taker (snapshots) to making 'photos'. Meaning begins to 'create' photos of merit. The would-be photographer is now aware that s/he can go from 'P' mode to applying various apertures and/or shutter speeds to create a desired composition. At this juncture, however, the would-be photographer experiences ongoing challenges readily remedied with additional education from either books, tutorials, and/or workshops. Photography is wonderfully replete with unlimited educational opportunities to keep an otherwise idle brain busy. Just sayin'.

The third stage is exhilarating. Gaining knowledge and experience, s/he begins to see a great improvement in their photos. With continued practice, and the application of perpetual learning, creating compelling photos fulfills their desires. They perfect their photographic techniques, and often expand their photo equipment collection. Sometimes even upgrade their gear. They still tend to make a lot of photos but are now able to apply discretion and knows where their computer delete key is and not afraid to use it. They see and learn from their mistakes and continue to improve.

The last stage produces a photographer who now knows how to competently operate the camera. The camera menu is as simple as Arbys. With great expertise, various photographic rules learned are applied to creating marvelous photos. Even the photos of donkeys are now fantabulous! As the photographer's creative itch is wonderfully scratched s/he experiences photographic euphoria! Hallelujah proclaims the ecstatic phonetographer convert! Are you next?

Cameras up! Ventura County Fair has begun. Enjoy tons of photo ops & Fair food! The photo of the week is a young girl fascinated with two stilt walkers at the Fair last year.

Happy photoing!

Email me your comments, suggestions and/or questions to: photography@earthlink.net

Fillmore Unified School District

Submitted By Fillmore Adult School

On Thursday, July 12, 2018, Fillmore Adult School honored adult learners at the District Office Auditorium. The celebration acknowledged those individuals who earned their U.S. Citizenship, High School Diploma, HiSET, and or passed the ParaPro exam through the support of the dedicated faculty and staff of the Fillmore Adult School.

The Fillmore Adult School completed its second year in the district community thanks to strong support from the Fillmore Unified School District Governing Board.

Fillmore Unified School District

Who would have thought it would take 30 years to find my dream job? Don’t get me wrong, before coming out to Fillmore I had many wonderful and rewarding experiences as a teacher, coach and assistant principal. Many of those personal relationships have been maintained over the years with some dating as far back as 1985.

So why do I love Fillmore so much? Plain and simple, Fillmore is a perfect fit. The principles of respect, loyalty, trust, service, kindness, community, humanity and integrity that I hold so close to my heart are also in the make-up of so many of its citizens. Much like the students, parents and community of Fillmore, I was raised to uphold my principles and to not compromise them for anyone. My conviction has been so deep that I have left several schools that I loved as a teacher, coach and administrator when my personal values were challenged. People in Fillmore also share the same unwavering commitment to their principles and that is why I love it here.

I have worked in many different cities and none were as fine and supportive as Fillmore. We could not have accomplished what we have done without the help of the community. From the service groups to the businesses to the individual community members, the support has been overwhelming and constant.

Great things have happened through supporting and empowering the Fillmore High School staff. When people are valued and supported they thrive and in the case of Fillmore High School staff they also stay. I do not micro-manage, I trust and value my staff. They are free to innovate and as part of the innovation, free to make mistakes that they will learn from. The revolving door of staff leaving to other districts has stopped. The teachers and staff are treated as adults and inevitably perform their best. They have become the best staff I have ever worked with.

Over the years, I have developed so many strong connections with the parents. What I absolutely like is that they have the same expectations for their kids that I had for my own children. Even in disciplinary situations, we shared the same expectations and agreed upon the consequences for their children. It was as if school and home were a seamless continuation of each other. In fact, because of this shared mindset I really felt and tried to act as a parent to my students. The students were, in effect, my children.

If you took my favorite students over the years and put them all into Fillmore High School, you would have what I have had here at Fillmore. Aside from sharing the same values, I felt a high level of mutual trust. Students have flourished just as adults would have under these circumstances. I have always sought out trusting situations but have also left or avoided anything fraught with mistrust. Students are no different and that is one reason why we have managed to retain most of our students over the years.

I believe we all create our own happiness and for me each passing year at Fillmore High School has been the best. I am so appreciative and thankful for my relationships with the students, parents, school staff and community.

I have been asked as to where I will be next year. When I tell people that I have not really looked for another job, it is met with disbelief. I compare it to being with someone you deeply care about and knowing that it will all end soon. Who would really want to start searching for someone else to be with at that time? That is where I am at now. At this moment, I can’t imagine working at any other school or any other place than Fillmore.

I know that when I do seek employment, the job I will settle on will allow me to be an innovative leader without being micromanaged. Kindness, respect, and honest communication would be a must from the top down. Most of all, trust will be at the center of everything and in how people do business with each other.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making my time at Fillmore the very best. God bless all of you.

Tom

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Submitted by FUSD Superintendent, Adrian E. Palazuelos, Ph.D.

The end of the school year marks a time for district and school staff to reset and prepare for the start of the new school year. I have seen this process carried out over my last four years as your Superintendent and can confirm that the staff of the Fillmore Unified School District take great care each summer and throughout the year in making sure that schools are ready for our students. Over the course of the summer our district employees are focused on ensuring that kitchens, multi-purpose rooms, grounds, classrooms, etc. are ready for use across the district.

During this summer our maintenance, custodial, technology, and grounds staff have had some extra help as a result of our FUSD Summer Work Program for high school students. Over 30 high school age students applied for the Summer Work Program and have been employed this summer to work alongside our staff on a number of projects. Our student workers have made a positive impact in their work through the Summer Work Program and our full-time staff have praised their contributions.

Our schools have extraordinary needs in the area of facilities and the summer break also presents the optimal time to complete facility projects while the campuses are not in use. As a result, we have had a number of projects taking place over this summer to improve our facilities and extend the longevity of our buildings and district property. A listing of the projects is included below.

FACILITIES PROJECTS
The Fillmore Unified School District has been hard at work over the summer on a number of facilities projects to prepare for the 2018-2019 school year. The projects in process or completed are as follows:
• Exterior Painting
o Mountain Vista Elementary, San Cayetano Elementary, and Fillmore Middle School
• Roofing
o 2 story building at Fillmore High School and District Office Annex Building
• New Track Surface
o Fillmore High School Stadium
• Sealing of Asphalt Parking Lots and Play Courts
o Fillmore Middle School (parking and basketball), Fillmore High School (2nd street parking and basketball), Mountain Vista Elementary, and District Office
• Carpet
o San Cayetano Elementary School
• Interior Paint
o Piru Elementary School (select classrooms)
• Improvements to Restrooms
o Piru Elementary School

The Fillmore Unified School District faculty and staff look forward to welcoming back all of our district families to the first day of school on Thursday, August 16, 2018. Enjoy the remaining days of summer vacation and prepare for an extraordinary 2018-2019 school year.

Ventura County Sheriff's Department

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Office / Fillmore Police Department is committed to our ongoing partnership with residents and business owners in preventing and solving crime. As technology has improved, video surveillance has become one of the best methods for apprehending and convicting criminals. Utilizing the surveillance systems that many residents and business owners currently operate at their homes and/or businesses is a great example of how the community and law enforcement can further partner in an effort of keeping our neighborhoods safer. As crimes occur nearby, they are not always aware that their system may have captured information that could help solve the crime, and keep our communities safer. In turn, law enforcement is not always aware who may have this potentially vital information.

How the Video Surveillance Camera Registration System Works:

The department utilizes a secure database to log information about who has surveillance systems and specific details such as, how many cameras, which direction the cameras point, which area’s they cover, login information, etc. When a crime occurs, authorities can quickly search the database by logging into the system or contact the owners of the system to potentially help solve a crime.

Video Surveillance Camera Registration:

If you would like to register your video surveillance information with the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office and allow deputies to contact you, should a crime occur in/or near where your cameras are installed, we kindly ask that you email Sgt. Scott Duffner at scott.duffner@ventura.org requesting a registration form and he will attach the form to a return email to you.

After completing the registration form, email it to VCSO.Video@ventura.org or fax to (805) 654-3842.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Ventura County Sheriff’s Real-Time Information Center at (805) 654-7620 or by email VCSO.Video@ventura.org.

Submitted by Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley

Over 28 agency booths made this year’s Kids STEM Day at the Club the largest and best one yet! Members from Fillmore, Piru and Santa Paula visited various agency booths to learn about STEM careers and participate in hands on STEM activities. The event, held on Friday, July 13 at the Santa Paula club site, included a BBQ lunch for youth and volunteers hosted by the Fillmore Fire Foundation and Fillmore Rotary. This event has grown to become one of the premiere Kids STEM events in the county as it allows children to explore opportunities that exist in STEM careers and education.

There were over 400 youth and 50 volunteers who participated in the event. Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley CEO, Jan Marholin states, “This is huge for our club kids to see all of the career possibilities, organizations, museums, and vocational education that is possible. We are expanding their world of thought.”

The Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley would like to extend a special thank you to the following agencies for their participation and support: Anne Thille-STEM Nutrition, Associates Insectary, Bank of the Sierra, California Oil Museum, California Resources Corporation, Central Ventura County Fire Safe Council, Channel Islands National Park, City Impact, Crimson Midstream, LLC, Fillmore Fire Foundation, Fillmore Rotary, Food Forward, Food Share, Friends of the Library, KidSTREAM, Limoneira, Santa Paula Art Museum, Santa Paula FFA, Santa Paula Optimists, Santa Paula Police, Southern California Edison, UC Hansen Ag Research & Extension Center, United Water Conservation District, VCSTEM/CSUCI, Ventura County Ag Museum Santa Paula, Ventura County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad and UAV, Ventura County Sheriff’s Posse, and Wells Fargo.

Bob Crum

His name is Alex. Alex is a regular reader of Focus on Photography. Alex sent me an email saying that he is ready to enter the Royal Realm of 'Real' Photography (RRRP). Fret not, he's not totally foregoing phonetography. Just that he has become acutely aware of it's limitations with respect to dedicated camera possibilities.

Alex requested help selecting a camera. Delighted considering that I love spending other people's money. I suggested a camera store in Santa Barbara. I know there are camera stores closer but camera selection (inventory) is far greater at the Santa Barbara store.

I asked Alex his budget. “Oh, about $ 95.00” he said. OK, but I think we're going to have a problem finding a Kodak Brownie camera except on eBay. Consider increasing your budget. Alex flashed a credit card... with a gargantuan line of credit. Oh yes, this was going to be fun! Hmmm... Hasselblad?

The camera store to Alex was like a candy store to a six-year old. Alex's grin displayed exhilaration with the proclamation: WOW! Never heard that from anyone entering a smartphone store! Just sayin'.

We were promptly greeted by store rep Ron. I explained that my friend Alex needs a few minutes to get acclimated. He acknowledged saying wave when ready.

Finally Alex waved. I suggested that Ron first present a few point-and-shoot best sellers. These days, many reasonably priced P&S cameras are excellent. But they have fixed lenses. Benefit: no sensor dust. Con: can't change lenses for special needs. Alex wasn't impressed wanting more versatility. Next, ILCs (Interchangeable Lens Cameras).

Ron presented three best selling mirrorless ILCs. Alex was instantly hard pressed to curtail his excitement. Remember, I said, you're not just buying a camera, you also need a lens. “No problem”, said Alex, grinning.

Continuously fondling a Fujifilm X-T2, an Olympus OM-D EM-1 and a Sony A6500 camera, Alex taxed Ron's patience to frustration. Finally Alex said OK. OK what I asked? “I don't know what to buy,” he said. Arrrrgh! “Just kidding,” he added.

After much agonizing, Alex bought the Olympus OM-D EM-1 camera and a 14-150mm lens. Awesome kit. Plus he bought a couple extra batteries and other accessories-polarizing filter, lens cleaner, camera bag etc. Alex instantly experienced ecstasy with his new nifty photographic equipment. And I added another notch on my camera strap.

We spent the rest of the afternoon photoing as Alex learned how to operate the camera and the menu system. A quick study, Alex began photographing everything. Telltale symptoms of photographers. However the exuberant Alex was calling me constantly telling me about all of his latest awesome photos. I had to block his phone number.

Note to procrastinators: Photography is therapeutic and extremely rewarding. Also scratches your creative itch. Want to go shopping?

When not shooting events, you should expect that I enjoy shooting for pleasure. One particular subject, the majestic eucalyptus tree on highway 126 west of town, eluded my photographic capture until recently. I waited because I thought a sky with clouds would enhance the image. One day clouds came and I went and made the photo. Afterward I thought, would a blue sky be better? Do the clouds enhance the tree? When confronted with the conundrum of boundless creativity, I quote Henry Miller: “Whatever I do is done out of sheer joy; I drop my fruits like a ripe tree. What the general reader or the critic makes of them is not my concern.” Of course my fruits being photos.

Hark! The awesome County Fair begins 8/1! Imagine a gazillion photo ops!!!! Cameras UP!

Happy photoing!

Send comments, suggestions and/or questions to: photography@earthlink.net

Fillmore High School Principal Tom Ito.

[Following is a letter from Tom Ito to Fillmore High School Staff, submitted at his resignation. Mr. Ito is retiring. The Gazette will have a full statement from Mr. Ito in our July 26 edition. He will be greatly missed…]

Flashes,

I am writing this email to thank all of you for your contribution to making Fillmore High School a great place for students and staff to be and also one of the best schools in Ventura County.

All of you in your own way have contributed each day in supporting students and staff at Fillmore High School. The many ways you extend yourself for our students is not only admirable but also noticeable to everyone that has had the opportunity to be part of our great school or comes in contact with any of you as you perform your daily duties. Every year that I have been at FHS, I have seen and heard the most positive comments and praise by parents, community members, visitors, and most of all our students. They marvel at how giving and kind you are to the students. Many have shared that the influence of the staff on their child has helped to motivate, inspire, change and support their growth. Returning students have consistently told me that the school has really changed and they are very happy with their teachers. You all need to know that the students depend on you so much and are so appreciative of any support you show them. With all of this support and effort from all of you, achievement in academics and athletics has reached new highs and will continue to do so as long as the students are first in our thoughts and actions. The data shows it, but as I have repeated through the years, we don’t need data to confirm how special it is to work at Fillmore High School.

On a personal note, I want to thank all of you for making my four years at Fillmore High School the best they could be. You have been the easiest and most willing staff to work with. So many of you welcomed me and made feel at home when I first arrived to FHS. We shared the same mindset in that we believed that every student could achieve and every student is special. There are so many things that we as a staff achieved that it would take me a very long time to go over. Suffice it to say, we moved as a group which allowed our students to achieve as a group. We did not leave any students back and we provided immense enrichment in all areas of the school.

The future of Fillmore High School looks very bright. As the WASC Committee stated, this is a vastly improved school from the one they saw in 2014. When they return in 2020, I know you will once again impress them as a school staff. I hope you are allowed to continue to learn from each other and to have a major say in the direction of the school. You are the experts. I have never said this before, because it was not true until then end of 2017, but you are now the best faculty I have ever worked with during my 34 years in public education. So much has to do with the giving nature of the staff and with the addition of 34 new staff with the same disposition, FHS has undergone a major upgrade.

In 2019, I will attend the Venice High School Class of 1989 30th Year Reunion. I have attended their 1999 and 2009 reunions too. They were a very special group of students that I taught in my early years in education. They were willing, very kind and such a giving bunch of kids. They made my first years as a teacher enjoyable and rewarding. For a first year emergency credentialed teacher learning the ropes they made all the difference in the world to me. I won’t ever forget any of them. I only write about them to illustrate how I feel about you and what you have done for me. To end my career on the same high note that I started it on is a dream come true and you were a big part of it.

Thank you and so long,
Tom

HANDS-ON Consultations (HOC), Computer Support Services, a Fillmore, Ventura County based company, is pleased to announce our twenty (20) year anniversary in business as a full-time computer support company serving business and home users in the communities of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties and beyond.

In July of 1998, Harv & Patti Oliver established their computer support services company out of their home in Fillmore, CA. The startup business began after owner and Senior Tech Harv Oliver decided to put his services and skills to work with his own business plan. The skillset at that time was developed working for the Department of Defense in the “mainframe” world and then evolved to include Personal Computers (PC’s) as they were incorporated to the mainframe operations/networks, and eventually, as they are today in nearly every business and home. Twenty years ago, July 14th, HOC assisted their first client. For those of you who recall, this was Archer Chiropractic with offices on Central in Fillmore. At the same time, we assisted Shuel Chiropractic with offices on Main in Santa Paula, as the two doctors worked on a developing effort together. In the twenty years since, HOC has assisted with thousands of service calls and clients to keep their computer operations working.

In their original business plan, there was never an intent for a storefront, but to provide “HANDS ON” services onsite for businesses and home users or in the HOC offices as required. Trying to maintain an inventory in such a fast moving and ever-changing field, based on location, population, etc. was evaluated as impractical and this business model has worked well. In July 2001, due to business expansion and requirements, the business transitioned leasing offices from Aguirre Financial & Insurance Services in their current location in the Gurrola Building at 606 Sespe in Fillmore. “We primarily provide ‘field services'”, Harv stated. “We do schedule appointments and system drop-offs at the office however the bulk of our work is ‘onsite’ at client facilities or homes.”. Clients have expanded to hundreds of home users, business medical & dental practices, engineering, manufacturing, travel agencies, insurance providers, and many more.

Harv provides technical support services and manages the day-to-day operations with Patti providing support in operations and continuing business development. Through the years, experienced and qualified technicians have provided additional support activities and in 2012, after six months in a supporting role, Tobias Knowles was a hired as a second full-time technician to assist the growing client base. Toby’s skillset in programming, networking, systems repair, and Server Administration have been a huge and valued addition to the HOC team. Cynthia Chessani has provided the bulk of accounting/bookkeeping & administrative services for over ten years – a true asset and part of the HOC family. And while she recently moved on to her new full-time position providing the skills developed in her six years assisting HOC, a shout out to Daisy Palma, who starting from the Fillmore High School ROP student program, assisted with miscellaneous administrative support activities. Additional technicians, administrative personnel, and program developers provide miscellaneous support services as needed to enhance the primary support staff.

“Providing professional, friendly services, while building mutually beneficial relationships has always been our goal”, stated Harv in noting the anniversary. “When we started, I asked myself, ‘How can we separate our services and rise above the multitude of other support services out there?’ In any service industry, providing outstanding customer service and dealing honorably with our clients are the most important factors, in my opinion, and that’s what we’ve always tried to do. We all know you can’t please everyone, but at HANDS-ON Consultations we do our very best and our continuing success in the local communities reflects that. Word of mouth and referrals are the keys to success for any business. I believe sustaining a healthy business for 20 years is a strong statement for our approach and services.”.

HOC services are provided for business and home users alike. Ranging from hardware/software troubleshooting, repairs and upgrades, computer components, new computer systems to network design, development, & support to web design, development, and hosting to training for Windows and associated applications. Services also include security solutions, malware data protection/restoration, and program and database software development. HOC provides incidents support services, along with scheduled maintenance plans and are aligned with other vendors in various support contracts.

Server Administration/Management is another key area of services provided. Of course with todays ‘online’ advancements, services are also often provided ‘remotely’ which is a win-win as client’s issues can often be addressed in a timelier fashion, which is the real goal – to get things working properly as soon as possible.

“I’d like to thank all the members of the private and business communities we serve for assisting us in reaching this milestone. Success is many things and we are meeting and achieving the goals we set for ourselves 20 years ago. We’ve seen a number of businesses come and go and surviving each and every year, particularly with an ever-changing and challenging economy, in any kind of business, is tough and this is something we’re very proud of. We look forward to continuing to assist our friends and associates in this ever-developing and exciting field now, and into the future. We’re not done yet!”

Harv Oliver, Senior Tech/Owner

More information is shared at the HOC web site: www.hocsupport.com

David W. Rowlands, Fillmore City Manager.

Porch Fest – 2018

The Bridges subdivision, located east of Rio Vista Elementary School, has been selected as the host location for the first ever Porch Fest. This is a community event that celebrates music and community. The event is an open invitation to whomever wants to drop by and enjoy the live music which will be performed on front porches, yards or driveways within The Bridges subdivision. Porch Fest will be held Saturday, August 4th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 p.m. Information on band locations and bands will be on the city web site www.fillmoreca.com and Twitter page. Parking is available on the street.

The “All Digital String Band” will be performing traditional Bluegrass with highlight performances from local Fillmore musicians.

Notable local blues festival favorite “The Kingfish” will stop by for a short cameo acoustic performance. Kingfish is a favorite at the Long Beach Blues Extravaganza where he performs with his band The Other Mules.

Fillmore Association of Businesses – FAB Up and Running

FAB is an association of downtown business owners, managers and property owners working together to bring innovative ideas and events to promote a sustainable, energized, and creative environment within Fillmore’s downtown business perimeter. FAB will work in sync with the City’s Downtown Strategic Plan focusing on business retention, expansion, and attraction. If you are interested in joining or have ideas to share please contact Ernie Villegas, Special Projects Manager at (805) 524-1500.

Entrepreneurs – Fillmore Now Allows Pop-Up Businesses

The City Council recently changed its laws to allow “pop-up” businesses to locate within the Commercial Highway, Central Business District, Commercial Neighborhood, Manufacturing/ Industrial and Business Park zones in the City if the business is a permitted use or allowed with a Development Permit in that zone. Businesses will be allowed for an initial time of 45 days and up to a maximum of 90 days without needing to seek entitlement permits. Allowing additional temporary uses in the zones will promote economic vitality by temporarily locating business and uses in buildings and structures which might otherwise remain vacant.

Fillmore Pavement Resurfacing Completed

Paving was recently completed on portions of B Street, C Street, D Street and Mountain View Street.

Let’s work together to keep Fillmore the “Best Last Small Town.”

David W. Rowlands, Fillmore City Manager

Bob Crum

I've been shooting the Fillmore fireworks show for about 87 years, so it seems. Normal camera settings are auto white balance, ISO locked at 100, aperture f/11 and 'bulb' mode. Bulb mode allows the shutter to be held open for a period of time. Assistant #1 holds the shutter open with a remote control until I yell CLOSE! Assistant #2 fetches another cold beer. Just kidding.

In years past, I noticed that bright bursts are, you know, too bright resulting in blown out highlights. No big deal considering there isn't any detail in bright light blobs. But super bright lights tend to overpower the image. Attempts to cool down the highlights in post processing just make the highlights an ugly shade of gray. I'd like a better balance of the bright light and colors while executing longer exposures. So what to do?

A Ventura friend photographer suggested installing an ND filter on the lens. Hmm. An ND filter reduces light coming into the lens like sunglasses for your eyes. Why do that? Because theoretically reducing light entering the lens allows for longer exposures without overexposure. BTW, works wonderfully for photoing mermaids frolicking in squally seas.

I decided to use a 0.6ND on my Tamron 16-300mm lens which will reduce the exposure equivalent to 2 f/stops.

One disadvantage of using an ND filter is that it darkens what you see through the viewfinder rather dramatically. Worse, depending on the filter used auto-focus may not work. However, neither issue was a problem regarding fireworks photography. I simply used the camera's live view (LCD screen) to initially compose the images and used manual focus with the lens set at infinity. The only problem is that live view goes dark the instant the shutter is actuated so can't tell what is being recorded. Hello guesswork!

The overall range of my firework exposures is from 3 to 14 seconds for a reason described below. Did the 0.6 ND filter accomplish the anticipated results? Yes with an unexpected benefit. The foreground is better exposed from the ambient light the result of longer exposures. A delightful bonus. Love surprises!

It's important because what are fireworks for if not to be observed? So, from my perspective, adding people in the foreground provides some 'show' context. Knowing that a train with people on open-air flat cars will be parked near the firing stage, I took a position between the train and Old Telegraph Rd. Viola... people and fireworks thanks to the ND filter.

Now, about the long 3 to 14 second exposures. A single firework burst is not by itself necessarily impressive. On the other hand, two or three bursts in a single frame... now that's exciting! I could shoot single bursts and create composites afterward. Composites are simply the blending of two or more images to create one final image. While this definition makes compositing sound quick and easy, it’s anything but, often times requiring several hours of editing work to complete. I don't have the luxury of time to create composites. So I go rogue and improvise. When the first firework is fired into the air, I open the shutter... and hold it open (in bulb mode) for the duration of two or three firework bursts. This is like creating a composite in the camera. Much quicker to do it in camera... another reason for the ND filter. Now you know a craft secret. Shhh.

See the fireworks slide show video featuring John Wayne and Kate Smith: https://youtu.be/aggnhfHH5Gk

Happy photoing.

Send comments, questions or suggestions to: photography@earthlink.net