A Happy New Year 2020

As usual, I headed for downtown for watching official fireworks organized by Olomouc city.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

St. Stephen's Day In Hungary 2019

This is my second time celebrating the foundation of the Hungarian state. 
If you are curious about St. Stephen's Day in Hungary, please visit this.

Similar to last year, all fireworks photos shown here were taken from the sightseeing boat anchored on the Buda side of the Danube river. We expected fireworks to be shot in front of the Parliament.

It was, however, unfortunate that the position of five boats shooting fireworks was in a far-right position. 

A Happy New Year 2019

Along with Queen's songs official fireworks took place at 18:00 under chick clouds. 

I'd say that we are very fortunate that the rain resumed to fall upon us and got stronger soon after fireworks ended.

Wishing you a Happy New Year 2019!

St. Stephen's Day In Hungary

The 20th of August is a National holiday in Hungary. Hungarians commemorate the foundation of the Hungarian state.

It's called St. Stephen's day because it's his feast day. He encouraged the spread of Christianity and turned it into a legitimate Christian state. Stephen I is the first king of Hungary, who was canonized by Pope Gregory VII. 

Festivities start in the morning with the raising of the Hungarian flag and continue on all day long, culminating in spectacular fireworks on the Danube river!!!

Wherever fireworks take place, I am there!!! 

A Happy New Year 2018 Part Two

The official fireworks New Year's ceremony took place at 18:00 today. Contrary to unofficial fireworks at midnight, there are tons of people gathered there. 

Well, rather say, it was too many...

A Happy New Year 2018

I went to Olomouc downtown to take photos of fireworks that are ignited by drunk locals. My ears still hurt by explosion noises...

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

Czechoslovak Independence Day in 2017

It is a public holiday today in Czech Republic - supermarkets are all closed and people celebrate their Independence Day. This is my 4th time taking photos of military procession, ceremony and fireworks. For some reason I utterly forgot the day and was so unprepared to shoot. 

Due to the construction of streets downtown, the military procession route was changed, which I didn't know. I didn't take tripod with me. I got to hold camera in every possible ways you can come up with to stabilize camera. Hence I am quite reluctant to upload photos of fireworks this time but I own this photoblog, so why not.

Happy Independence Day!!!

A Happy New Year 2017

Happy New Year!

As you can easily tell, the condition for taking fireworks photos was so bad. The weather has been foggy lately and smokes were all over... I had to wear jacket food not only for protecting myself from cold but rather from ashes and debris coming from every possible angles you can imagine. 

Since last year, fireworks were not well-organized. Instead, it has been fired by individuals (= drunk guys). Take a look at the photo below. 

This is how it looked like in 2013. They've been shot behind the building and the sky was sooo clear then!!!

Fireworks in 2013

Wishing you all the best, happiness, love, prosperity and well-beings!!!

Czechoslovak Independence Day in 2016 Part Two

This is a part 2 entry of Czechoslovak Independence day.

This was my first time shooting fireworks in the rain. Thanks to the weatherproof function of my camera and lenses, I had no hesitation to reveal camera gadgets in the rain but the biggest problem arises when the lens glass surface gets wet by raindrops.... 

All round bokeh (=blur) resulted from raindrops on the lens surface, grrrrr.

The ceremony was solemn and went on regardless of rain.

The photo below shows how heavy the rain was during the ceremony.

At last, I would like to share a crazy video demonstrating the reliability of the weatherproof function of my camera, Olympus OM-D EM-5!!!

Czechoslovak Independence Day

October 28th is the anniversary of the establishment of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovak declared independence on the 28th of October, 1918, against the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

When it comes to celebrating Independence Day, having fireworks is mandatory. I found info regarding the celebration in Olomouc and went downtown with a tripod.

I expected to see tons of national flags overwhelming the city but I was wrong... Rather I hardly see any national pride but the soldiers looked so cool.

The ceremony was solemn and took place at Žižkově náměstí.

View Larger Map

Since this was my first time to be there, my positioning for shooting fireworks was so bad...

This is Our World: 28 October entry.

Have a wonderful week.

A Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

You see, it's getting common to have fireworks on New Year's Eve. I went downtown to take photos. In fact, I could see and smell massive amounts of explosive chemicals. I mean "a lot" and "everywhere"...

I had Panny 7-14 mm/F4 lens with me. It's an ultra wide-angle zoom lens that is equivalent to 14-28 mm in full frame (Leica 35mm film format). I really enjoyed shooting fireworks at 7 mm (14 mm equivalent).

Now you know what I meant. Fireworks were launching from everywhere in any direction you can possibly imagine (A), If you keep your face up to the sky, then you got to watch your steps. Fireworks are rolling on the ground (B). Relatively small-sized local explosions were everywhere, too (C). Some were launched off just a few meters away from you (D). Well, many of them were actually exploding over your head. Debris kept falling incessantly from above your head because the wind was against us (D). It's been quite noisy there. I heard nothing related to the countdown of the coming year 2013...

Please note that Column in (A) has been in a UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000! Obviously, in (A) some shots were heading toward The Holy Trinity Column - a symbol (great pride) of the city, Olomouc.

Fireworks sparkling right above your head!

Well, it was a very noisy and explosive New Year's Eve. I really had fun. A LOT!!!

By the way, did you notice the moon behind Town Hall?

To be continued...

This is Skywatch Friday and Share the Joy Thursday entry.