Shooting fireworks has been in my photo bucket list since I started taking photography seriously. When SM MOA started having regular fireworks a few years back, I often made plans to go but somehow it does not push thru. And trying to shoot during New Year's Eve always ended in disappointing shots. Sometime last week, I saw an online article that the weekly fireworks at SM MOA was back. The post included the dates and on Friday, October 14, there was a scheduled fireworks display at 7pm for only five minutes. The info was quickly shared with fellow bird photographers and soon we had group that was going. Information from a fellow photographer who was there the previous Friday (Sept 7), told us that the fireworks was held near the fountain along the sea wall. We determined that the best spot was at Pepper Lunch on the 2nd floor of SM MOA. It had a balcony with tables so we figured we will order food and stay there to shoot.
By Friday, Oct 14, 5pm, we converged on said restaurant. Our group consisted of Steve Albano, Win Paler, Ven and Karen Rojas, Ed Santos, Alex Loinaz, and later Bert Briones. Judging from the crowd, it was not just us who had the same info. We ordered and finished our meals by 6pm and then set up our cameras and tripods. Test shots were made, and settings were checked as we waited in anticipation. A few minutes before seven, a voice started announcing the start of the fireworks display. Everyone went on alert, hands on camera shutters or cable release. We heard the first few explosions but we there was nothing in front of us only to realize that the sounds (and fireworks) came from our left side, which was covered by the building. We were momentarily stunned, then I saw Ven whipping out his phone and taking photos or videos. I aimed my camera at the general direction and just started pressing the shutter repeatedly. In the end, I only had one usable photo.
The only passable shot of the night.
To say that we were disappointed is an understatement. If the mall management planned to hold the fireworks in different locations, they should at least make the information available to the public.
But as Win said, it was good to see the gang. Till the next shoot!
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