More often than not, flash is not your friend. It should be avoided when possible. Many subjects are much more interesting when the available light is used to your advantage. For instance, in this photo, the different colored lights and the shapes they are making are what gives the photos its appeal. Mind you, there is not much to this photo. It is a simple snapshot of a club I took on my little point-and-shoot camera, but it is still more interesting than it would have been with flash. When used improperly, flash flattens your picture and makes your subject look completely lifeless.

Fireworks are another subject matter that is very important to not blast with a flash- your entire subject is light, after all. In honor of one of my original purposes for this blog, I brought my good camera out to our 4th of July celebrations on our friends roof. I did not bring a flash with me.

I liked the golden hue from the sunglasses in this photo even though it is a cliche idea. I also like the maze-looking shapes in the background.

And of course the fireworks are the crowning jewel of the holiday. I was a bit disappointed in my results, as I think I could have pushed myself to do something more interesting. Nonetheless, here are the results…

I really like the way this photographer captured fireworks in this old photo taken for the Longmont Times-Call, where I used to work, in 1979. I should have tried a time-release photo. Next year…

Happy Independence Day everyone.