16 Easy ways to give your Independence Day fireworks photos pizzazz!

Whether using a Mirrorless camera, DSLR or Smartphone, you can make great fireworks photos, if you follow these easy to use suggestions.

In the U.S., Sunday is July 4, Independence Day. The nation's second president, John Adams, is in large part responsible for how it's celebrated. In his July 3, 1776 letter to Abigail, his wife, he said that the day should be celebrated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post stated that in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, “The evening closed with the ring of bells and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons and the city was beautifully illuminated.”

Fireworks are extremely bright and persist for a few seconds, typically against an almost black background. Focus and particularly the exposure settings for fireworks' photos aren't straight-forward. If you're in the U.S. this week, here are my fireworks' photography tips for digital cameras and smartphones.

Photographing July 4th fireworks with your camera or smartphone

Thursday is July 4, Independence Day, in the U.S. The nation's second president, John Adams, is in large part responsible for how it's celebrated. In his July 3, 1776 letter to Abigail, his wife, he said that the day should be celebrated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

The Pennsylvania Evening Post stated that in Philadelphia on July 4, 1777, “The evening closed with the ring of bells and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons and the city was beautifully illuminated.”

Fireworks are extremely bright and persist for a few seconds, typically against an almost black background. Focus and particularly the exposure settings for fireworks' photos aren't straight-forward. If you're traveling in the U.S. this week, here are my fireworks' photography tips for digital cameras and smartphones.

Nature Photography Day - June 15

Next month, we'll be celebrating National Nature Photography Day.

It's occurs on June 15 every year. The original date and day was first created by the North American Nature Photography Association in 2006. It was created to “promote the enjoyment of nature photography and to explain how images are used to advance the cause of conservation and protect plants, wildlife, and landscapes locally and worldwide.”

Celebrating National Nature Photography Day couldn't be easier. Pull out your camera or your smartphone, head outdoors and start making photos. Considering visiting a national, state or local park. Go to a national, state or local wildlife refuge. Enjoy at least one of these wonderful venues on this special day.

In the Greater Philadelphia Region? Join me on the 15^th!

If you're in the Great Philadelphia Region, I've got another way for you to enjoy National Nature Photography Day. Join me at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge for my National Nature Photography Day Photowalk. The photowalk is free and open to the public. The walk will start at the Refuge's visitor center at 8am. The walk is over level terrain, but wear comfortable shoes. We'll finish by noon.

We'll be photographing summer birds and other animals, plus have landscape opportunities. Remember that it's not a zoo, so viewing wildlife can be unpredictable at times. There will be known areas where birds typically hang-out, but I'll hope for some surprises too. We'll walk along the Impoundment Pond loop, go to the edge of the freshwater tidal marsh in the Refuge and through other habitats there.

The Heinz Refuge is America's first urban refuge and is located near Philadelphia International Airport.

For up-to-date information about this photowalk follow me on the NSL Photography Facebook Page and on the NSL Photography Twitter Feed.

On July 4th, are you photographing fireworks?

The U.S. has celebrated its independence with fireworks in towns and cities across the nation since 1777. History tells us John Adams, second President of the U.S. is in large part responsible for the way we celebrate the Fourth of July. In his July 3, 1776 letter to his wife, Abigail, he said that the occasion should be celebrated “with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

The first Independence Day commemoration occurred the next year in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Evening Post stated, “The evening closed with the ring of bells and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks (which began and concluded with thirteen rockets) on the Commons and the city was beautifully illuminated.”

Photograph the July 4th fireworks well during your holiday vacation

If you're traveling to America’s birthplace, Philadelphia, the only UNESCO World Heritage City in the United States, during the long Independence Day Holiday weekend, you're in for a great concert at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with more than a half million people in attendance, followed by one of the largest, most spectacular fireworks displays in the nation.

All over the U.S. on the evening of July 4, there will be fantastic fireworks displays in large cities and small towns, in every corner of the country.

Even though it's not particularly difficult to make great fireworks images, many have a real trouble with it. Problems come because making fireworks images takes thought and planning, and because many don't understand that while it's dark outside, fireworks are extremely bright, so very long exposures only wash out the photos. An exposure of just 2–4 seconds is all that's needed to capture the light, including the fireworks' tails.

Photograph fireworks like a professional

This week in the United States we'll celebrate our nation's birth. In Philadelphia, America’s birthplace and it's first capital, that means after a concert at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with more than a half million people in attendance, all will also enjoy one of the largest, most spectacular fireworks displays in the nation, with many more watching on television.

If you're in Philadelphia, look for me shooting the festivities and fireworks, just southeast of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Here are some of my tips so you can photograph the fireworks near you, like a pro, using your digital camera:

It's US Independence Day: Time to celebrate and photograph spectacular fireworks

Today, in the United States we'll celebrate our nation's birth. In Philadelphia, America’s birthplace and it's first capital, that means the annual “Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks” held at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art tonight, where more than a half million Philadelphians and visitors will enjoy one of the country's best Independence Day concerts. This year it will star The Roots, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Aloe Blacc, Ariana Grande and Vicci Martinez performing live, with actor and comedian Marlon Wayans serving as host, followed by one of the largest, most spectacular fireworks displays in the nation.

I'll be there. If you're there too, look for me south of the Art Museum.

This year I'm going to continue experimenting while photographing the fireworks. I'm going to use a variety of neutral density filters to enable me to use longer exposures, and capture more fireworks' bursts in my images. I'll be experimenting with neutral density filters which add 1, 2, or 3 f/stops to my exposure. I'll explain below what that means in terms of shutter times.

Wildlife Photo Walk: John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, February 8, 2014

On Saturday, February 8, 2014, I will be leading the Wildlife Photography Walk, sponsored by the Friends of Heinz Photo Group, starting at 9am in the Visitor Center of the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in South Philadelphia, near Philadelphia International Airport.

We'll be walking and photographing in several areas of the Refuge, including near its Impoundment Pond, Darby Creek, Hoyes Pond, and through some of the deciduous woods areas of the Refuge. The walk will last for about three hours. During the walk I expect to discuss the challenges of cold weather photography.

Ned Levi leading Wildlife Photowalk at Heinz Refuge

For photographers in the Greater Philadelphia, PA Region, who are interested in wildlife photography, I wanted to let you know, I'm leading a Photowalk in the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge in Philadelphia, PA on Saturday, September 21st. The Refuge is on the north side of I95 just across the Interstate from Philadelphia International Airport.

All walks at the Refuge are led by volunteers (me included) working under the overall supervision of the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and are open to all members of the public, though children are expected to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and are free. While some US national wildlife refuges charge a nominal fee, the USFWS charges no admission fee for the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Family Portrait

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation, especially since the completion of its Perelman Building. Family Portrait is a wonderful exhibition worthy of this great institution.

This exhibition will run through November 10, 2013

Traveling in the US: July 4th, and its fireworks are just days away

Next week, in the United States we'll celebrate our nation's birth. In Philadelphia, America’s birthplace and it's first capital, that means after a concert at the foot of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, more than a half million people will enjoy one of the largest, most spectacular fireworks displays in the nation.

I'll be there. If you're there too, look for me south of the Art Museum.

This year I'm going to be experimenting while photographing the fireworks at the Art Museum. I'm going to use some neutral density filters to enable me to use longer exposures, enabling me to capture more fireworks' bursts in my images. I'll be experimenting with neutral density filters which add 1, 2, or 3 f/stops to my exposure. I'll explain below what that means in terms of shutter times.

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation, especially since the completion of its Perelman Building. Photogravure: Master Prints from the Collection is a wonderful exhibition worthy of this great institution.

This exhibition will run through August 11, 2013

Photogravure, a printmaking process that combines elements of aquatint etching and photography, was a prized medium among artist-photographers of the late nineteenth century, who labored over their hand-pulled prints.

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Treasures of the Alfred Stieglitz Center

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has become one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation. Treasures of the Alfred Stieglitz Center: Photographs from the Permanent Collection is an exhibition worthy of the Museum's outstanding international reputation for photographic art.

This exhibition runs through April 7, 2013.

The exhibition showcases highlights from the Museum’s photography collection, tracing the medium’s history as a visual art form.

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Dolls and Masks

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has become one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation. Ralph Eugene Meatyard: Dolls and Masks, an extremely interesting and thought provoking exhibition is certainly worthy of this great institution.

This exhibition will run through August 5, 2012

Philadelphia Police Apparently Need Remedial "First Amendment" Education

On the night of March 14, 2012, Temple University photojournalism student Ian Van Kuyk was arrested outside his residence while taking pictures of uniformed Philadelphia policemen performing what has been termed a “routine traffic stop.”

Van Kuyk, who was with his girlfriend who was also arrested, said he was never closer than ten feet of the scene when police ordered him back. He said he voluntarily backed up and was at least thirty feet away when a uniformed Philadelphia police officer approached him aggressively demanding he stop taking pictures. Van Kuyk stated he politely told the officer he was a Temple University photojournalism student, and within his rights to be taking photos on a public street.

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Zoe Strauss: TenYears

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has become one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation. Zoe Strauss: Ten Years looks to be a wonderful exhibition worthy of this great institution.

This exhibition will run from January 14, 2012 through April 22, 2012

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Unsettled:Photography and Politics in Contemporary Art

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has become one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation, especially since the completion of its Perelman Building. Unsettled: Photography and Politics in Contemporary Art is a very special photography exhibit I strongly recommend to anyone who lives or is traveling to the Greater Philadelphia Region.

This exhibition will run throughout the summer of 2011

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Mark Cohen: Strange Evidence

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has become one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation. Mark Cohen: Strange Evidence looks to be a wonderful exhibition worthy of this great institution.

This exhibition will run from October 23, 2010 through February 28, 2011

Mark Cohen (born 1943) appeared on the American photography scene in the early 1970s and, in the ensuing decades, distinguished himself as one of the most original American street photographers. Working primarily in the small Rust Belt cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, where he lives, Cohen photographs people and places encountered at random.

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Museum of Art - Philadelphia Museum of Art Photography Portfolio 2010

The Philadelphia Museum of Art has become one of the foremost exhibitors of fine art photography in the nation, especially since the completion of its Perelman Building. The Women’s Committee, Philadelphia Museum of Art 2010 Photography Portfolio Competition is a wonderful exhibition worthy of this great institution.

This exhibition will run from September 4, 2010 through September 19, 2010

Photography Exhibition: Philadelphia Photo Arts Center: Daydream Nation

The Philadelphia Photo Arts Center is devoted to the study, practice, and appreciation of photography in the Philadelphia region, through educational programs, photographic exhibitions, lectures by practicing artists, and affordable access to high-end digital equipment for the creation of photographs. Its photographic exhibitions like Daydream Nation are imaginative and innovative, and are producing some of the best exhibitions of contemporary photography in the US.

The exhibition will run through August 21, 2010.