EarthShots.org Photo of the Day Contest

Sunday, 10th July 2011

Pure Chance

by Mike Shaw

I will not bore you with all the details on how I ended up at this location but it was by pure chance. In fact I had no intention of being anywhere near the city. The short version is, my wife and I were taking in the views from Grizzly Peak up in the Berkeley Hills when we decided to go to a near by Safeway and grab some sandwiches. By the time we headed back up the hill the roads had been closed, and after several frustrating detours, I some how ended up here..... Go figure! I have made many many attempts to capture fireworks and have always failed miserably. But, like what one of my good friends always tells me, 'Even a blind squirrel gets an acorn once in awhile!' ;-)

Equipment: Canon 5d Mark ll, EF 100-400mm @ 220mm, f/6.3, ISO 800, 2 second exposure

Mike Shaw

Website: www.flickr.com/photos/75899207@N00/

Pure Chance by Mike Shaw was photo of the day on Sunday, 10th July 2011. It is tagged Bridges, fireworks. You can leave a comment below.

24 Comments

Christopher O'Donnell

10th July 2011 at 2:13 am

Congrats Mike….this image is unbelievable, awestruck by it….

Kathy Urbach

10th July 2011 at 2:23 am

Excellent…been up there myself…just never for the fireworks…just like the blind squirrel, you have to be out there to find the acorns….

Al Dixon

10th July 2011 at 2:46 am

I had to chuckle at the title of the photo. I’ve shot from that same vantage point several times, but will admit to not capturing anything like that!! Great shot, and what a great spot to get ‘lost’ at. Congrats of your POTD.

Bill Kenny

10th July 2011 at 3:02 am

Super Photo! Even a blind squirrel without acorns would LOVE it.

ggriffin

10th July 2011 at 4:37 am

Whoa! You got more than an acorn buddy! What a fantastic shot! I’ll bet you said a few whoopies and jumped up and down a few times when you viewed it for the first time. Congrats!

Lois

10th July 2011 at 4:49 am

WOW! And I love your “blind squirrel” reference…that’s what my dear old dad used to say.

Ben

10th July 2011 at 4:51 am

Awesome shot!! Glad it worked out for you!

Susan House

10th July 2011 at 10:28 am

It’s really neat how you even framed the light in the very top section of the bridge support. Beautiful shot- thanks for sharing!

Wen Lane

10th July 2011 at 1:27 pm

Fantabulous! Congratulations on your good fortune and thank you for sharing.

Linda Pothiers

10th July 2011 at 1:37 pm

.Beautiful!…..well Done! Mike, thanks for sharing, adding to my EarthShots folder! hope you are framing yours : * )

C. Fitzgerald

10th July 2011 at 1:54 pm

Seems you have a very smart friend……………very nice “acorn!”

Marie Dunphy Harding

10th July 2011 at 2:34 pm

You must be thrilled with this detour … I am!

JimAtkin

10th July 2011 at 4:20 pm

Having been stifled for years with fog on July 4th for years, so my hearty congrtulations to you Mike for your “Pure Chance” and your ability to snare the scene.

Kim

10th July 2011 at 5:13 pm

Absolutely incredible!!

Bill McFall

10th July 2011 at 7:09 pm

Pure chance does the trick. Nicely done Mike!

Geana

10th July 2011 at 8:18 pm

Really cool

Richard Dart

11th July 2011 at 3:39 am

Your sense of humour is as delightful and memorable as this astounding photo of one of my favourite visual treats.

Perri schelat

11th July 2011 at 4:57 am

My favorite story about any photo thus far. Many photographers take themselves to seriously.

Pat

11th July 2011 at 1:00 pm

great shot! particularly like your little story>LOL

Rajib Singha

11th July 2011 at 2:17 pm

Great!

Breanna Klein

11th July 2011 at 5:17 pm

I LOVE it!!! And your story to go with it is amazing! Encouraging! I’ve always wanted to get a good firework shoot too, but still haven’t…. One of these days! Really Really great shoot!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!