It is really no simple thing to live in a different country and get to experience first hand their traditions and celebrations. This takes place nightly and directly in front of our apartment complex. It is not what I would call safe, but it is spectacular.
The only opportunity I have ever had to have fireworks explode directly over head!.The ashes from this firework landed directly on my camera!
This is the end of one of those famous strings of firecrackers. When fully rolled up in a coil, it is about thigh high! Unreal.
One of the door men from our apartment complex gets help unloading more boxes of fireworks.
That blast to the right is a firework blasting off as the two helpers on the left are setting up some more.
Street view of more fireworks shooting skyward. Notice the man on the three-wheeled cycle pass the fireworks set to go off as if it's just an ordinary circumstance. No extra clearance or anything.
I was directly below the fireworks as they went off. My camera and I were covered in ashes.
It was incredibly loud. I should have brought ear plugs. I was afraid by morning my hearing would be gone!
Another firework explodes through the city streets. Only meters away from apartment buildings and offices.
A father-daughter pair share in the fun...
and danger!
The scene on the sidewalk in front of our apartment complex in the Central Business District, Beijing.
The police stop for a moment to enjoy the fireworks while on their rounds. I caught these guys looking up but the waved me away as soon as they saw me aim my camera in their direction.
The clean up begins before the smoke dissipates.
Inches of red debris from all the fireworks. Fifteen more days of the same to follow.
Not safe, but it is incredible. A once in a lifetime experience for sure.
My husband bought some for my kids. They will let them off tomorrow night as it is the fifth night of the New Year and a special day for the God of Fortune.
A lot of those types of fireworks are also shot in my country, but more on the traditional new year's. We have a lot of Chinese ppl living here. We also had the CNY made into a national holiday this year.
Posted by: Debby | February 06, 2011 at 05:45
Love your star macro. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kristy Life n Reflection Photography | February 06, 2011 at 06:40
Wow! Fireworks are so hard to capture! Fantastic job!
Posted by: kbreints | February 06, 2011 at 07:01
Wow! Amazing experience - even if not safe! Great pics.
Posted by: Colleen | February 06, 2011 at 07:35
What a cool experience! I love the below the fireworks shots but hope you and your camera are okay!
Posted by: janice | February 06, 2011 at 09:55
Love your shots from underneath. Such a cool experience!
Posted by: janice | February 06, 2011 at 10:13
Stunning first shot - LOVE it! :)
Posted by: julie | February 06, 2011 at 13:33
Beautiful pictures! I wish I was there! :) Thank you for sharing
Posted by: Casey | February 06, 2011 at 23:41
Wow, those are some awesome, but CRAZY photos! I remember the first time our city did a fireworks show on the 4th of July. You could actually lay on the ground under the huge show... Then they realized that pieces of fireworks had fallen on the spectators, so all the other years, the fireworks are shot from a very safe distance away from the crowd.
Posted by: Andrea | February 07, 2011 at 06:14
Amazing and incredible! What an experience to have had!
Posted by: Sally | February 07, 2011 at 08:42
love this series of photos! :) so cool!
Posted by: Rebecca Cooper | February 07, 2011 at 16:41
My goodness! I love them all specially the first and last!
Posted by: Flower Photography | February 08, 2011 at 22:27