Disney's 4th of July Concert in the Sky

Happy Fourth of July!

The Walt Disney World Resort is known for its Fireworks.  The two best times of year to see them are New Years Eve and the Fourth of July.  This year was seemed to take it to an entirely different level.

More photos and the finale after the break....

They call it a "mirror show"

Disney is known for its NYE & July 4th shows for being a "360 degree mirror show." That means that fireworks are launched from the usual launch point behind the Magic Kingdom, an island from the middle of Seven Seas Lagoon as well as various other points and off Cinderella's Castle.  There are fireworks all around you.

Full Disclosure: I made a rookie mistake.  We got the cameras out of the car around 8 in a hurry because of a Severe Thunderstorm that was about to hit.  In my rush, i forgot the quick release plate for the tripod. Its necessary to mount it on the tripod.  I left it in the main bag in the trunk of the car, 15 stories below.

We set up 10 minutes before the show. My plan was to shoot with two cameras, one medium on the castle and one wide getting everything with a ND filter or two. Once i noticed that i did something stupid, I went for Plan B - shoot it wide.  While we were setting, there was lightning all around us.  (ED Note - Dont be outdoors for Lightning.  Its very, very, very foolish.  We're trained fools and know how to be safe about it) 

15 minutes pass and we notice that the show has not started and is delayed. Traffic has not stopped and I see an opportunity to run downstairs to my car and grab the QR plate and shoot two cameras as planned as well as a 50mm lens to shoot my medium shot a tad looser as I was using a crop body.

The technical details?  One Nikon D700, One Nikon D7000, two shutter releases (as I lost a remote cable in a move) and two friends.  Tripod & superclamp/ball head.  Beyond that, it is a case of opening & closing the shutter when it seems most logical.

Monday morning quarterback says to stop the lens down more next time.....

The 50mm shot on the castle

The finale.  Lots and Lots of Fireworks.