Moments of Light

Tuesday's Photography 101 theme is "Moment".

Think about the fleeting moments you experience each day — from a quiet, precious moment with your child to a busy commute through the subway, among strangers. What will you share with us?

My kids are 16 and 14. Precious moment kid photos don't apply. The facilitator assumes we're all moms with toddlers at our feet. I don't commute on the subway. I'm starting to see a pattern. I think Cheri Lucas Rowlands lives in a crowded metropolitan city in a warm tropical climate. I don't think she can understand that some of us may live in small towns where the air temperature has plunged below freezing and animals (and humans) aren't spending much time outdoors.

In any case, another one from the archive. What can be more fleeting than the few seconds when fireworks ripped the air and illuminate the sky.

2014 Montgomery Township United States Independence Day Fireworks

Despite our cultural, religious and ethnic differences, it is beautiful how a single holiday, the Fourth of July, connects us all as United States Americans.

Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 13200 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1800 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1/2000 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1/1250 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1500 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F3.2
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1640 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F3.2
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1400 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F3.2
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1400 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F3.2
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1100 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1100 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1100 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F3.2
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1100 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 1100 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F2.8
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Olympus E-M1 | 110 sec | ISO 200 | LUMIX G VARIO 12-35/F2.8 | F10
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Nikon D5100 | 2.0 sec | ISO 220 | 35 mm f/1.8 | F16
2014 Montgomery Township Independence Day Fireworks | Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Nikon D5100 | 3.0 sec | ISO 100 | 35 mm f/1.8 | F16
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Nikon D5100 | 3.0 sec | ISO 100 | 35 mm f/1.8 | F16
Tuesday 1 July, 2014 | Nikon D5100 | 3.0 sec | ISO 100 | 35 mm f/1.8 | F16

2012 Montgomery Township United States Independence Day Fireworks

These were taken at the High School in Montgomery Township, NJ. We've attended the Montgomery Township 4th of July fireworks for about 10 years. We've been doing it since the kids were in kindergarten (and before I knew how to use a DSLR). Initially, the fireworks were at the Orchard Hill Elementary School due to a worsening economy the township government decided that taxpayer money should be spent on school and not entertainment and cut the firework budget. The local business community and residents came together and formed a firework committee. The entire affair is now 100% community supported.

The firework event is often well attended and is funded independently of the township.

Thursday 28 June, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Thursday 28 June, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 35 mm f/1.8
Summer is time for fireworks. We waited for the sun to go down behind the Montgomery High School so that we could celebrate the birthday of our country,
Montgomery Township Firework 2012 | Thursday 28 June, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Montgomery Township Firework 2012 | Thursday 28 June, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Thursday 28 June, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Thursday 28 June, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6
Thursday 28 June, 2012 | Nikon D40 | AF-S Nikkor 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6