Two more photos from the Rock the Dock ("RTD") fireworks display last Friday night. To me these two are not as strong as the first two I posted (post #566 and #567) because I didn't capture the trail of the rocket as it launched. Still, the explosions captured are nice and hopefully make them post-worthy! :-)

Tip for processing your fireworks shots this upcoming July 4th: Open your captured image in Abobe Photoshop CS4 and duplicate the background layer [CTRL + "J"] then switch the blending mode on the top layer to "Multiply". If you have foreground in your image and don't like how the "Multiply" blending mode changes it, simply add a layer mask and mask off the foreground by painting over it on the layer mask with a soft black brush. You can adjust the Opacity of the top layer to reduce the intensity of the changes made by using the "Multiply" blending mode if so desired. Next, Merge Visible Layers to a new layer and continue processing from there. This simple first step will usually go a long way toward eliminating all but the heaviest of any distracting and otherwise undesirable background smoke. This will also slightly reduce the brightness of the explosion itself but that is easily dealt with, if you think it is necessary, in further processing.

Title: "RTD Firework #3"


Title: "RTD Firework #4"


Post-processing: Photoshop CS4 > Topaz Adjust plugin