Sketching Out Blog: Sketches of art, watercolor, photos, recipes, books, interviews, Jewish topics, and Highland Park, New Jersey

Skies at Asbury Park

swftomSky Watch Friday is a photo meme with photos of sunrises, sunsets, blue skies, gray skies, pink skies, orange skies, fireworks skies and any other kind of sky posted by bloggers all over the planet.
sky over building in Asbury Park, New Jersey
We enjoyed spending the evening of July 4th on the beach of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Asbury Park was a fancy place to visit in the early twentieth century; in the late twentieth century, it took a severe downturn. Recently, it has been revived, with restaurants, shops, arcades and theater. One of the famous landmarks in Asbury Park is the Stone Pony, where Bruce Springsteen used to play. My husband, who grew up near Asbury Park, said we were a few blocks away from the Stone Pony.

sky facing west
This sky faces west. The silhouette of a building is the theater. The sky in the top photo with the green shell faces northeast. Both sky photos were taken within about ten minutes of each other. My husband and daughter went for a ride on the lit up Ferris wheel while my son and I held a spot on the beach.

red sky in Asbury Park
Ah, the sky now turns red.

fireworks over Asbury Park beach
Finally, the part we were waiting for as we sat on a corner of the beach: the fireworks.

fireworks explode over Asbury Park beach on fourth of July

More Asbury Park Fourth of July photos here.

EG Wow says

It looks like the evening was perfect for celebrating Independence Day! I do love how the sky changes from moment to moment, especially at sunset and sunrise.

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Denise says

Such lovely photographs. A great way to spend the fourth. So many places are being revived these days. It is good to see as there is so much history in these beautiful old areas. Have a great day Leora.
An English Girl Rambles

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G6 says

I'm in awe.
Those are totally AMAZING photos!
Can you give me lessons? (Not joking...)

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leoraw says

Yes. Here's lesson one: buy your cameras from Adorama. Read everything Mason Resnick writes (he's a friend and a local Highland Parker).
Lesson two: follow @adoramalearn on Twitter. That's Mason on Twitter.
Lesson 3: Can you afford a DSLR camera? You get better shots. Or at least a good Canon Powershot...

Then read Robin's Around the Island and ask her questions, too. She uses a Nikon.

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G6 says

Thanks!

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Jew Wishes says

I have only ever owned Nikon cameras, and have my original film SLRs from decades ago, through my two digital SLRS.

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leoraw says

Oh, and I used the TV setting on my Canon Rebel xTi because it let me do bursts of shots in quick succession. I tried to teach my daughter about lag time - I think she got it when using one of our older cameras. You don't want lag time at all when photographing fireworks.

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Ilana-Davita says

How amazing to have so many colors on just one evening!

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Carver says

The sky was putting on a show for you even before the fireworks. Great shots!

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Nonizamboni says

What an experience! I've only seen shots of Asbury park in films. . .you've given it a definitely facelift. Love the silhouettes.

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Max-e says

Lovely shots Leora. Looks like it was a perfect evening.

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Mojo,NC,USA says

We had similar ideas this week. I like the progression in this series. You can almost feel the anticipation building.

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Rajesh says

Awesome shots. Great sunset colors in the sky. The crackers are looking nice and colorful.

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Ewok says

What a lovely collection of wonderfully hued sky. I can't choose a fave.

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Manang Kim says

Great shots!! And it always amazes me how the clouds change its color and how fast they can form beautifully. Happy Friday!

SWF~Sunset

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Fishing Guy says

Leora: Certainly enjoyed your sky display. Colorful whether God or man made.

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Indrani says

Taking shots of fireworks can be tricky.
You got wonderful captures.

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Regina says

Wow such beautiful arrays of colors.
Love the fireworks!
Happy SWF Leora.

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Jew Wishes says

What beauties, Leora. I love the sunset captures, the sky so ablaze with vibrancy and silhouettes.

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Kcalpesh says

Loved the firework captures... brilliant!!

Pixellicious Photos

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Kcalpesh says

Loved the fireworks capture!! Brilliant!!

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Grace Olsson says

terrific shots...magic, passionate and sensual...love them
http://graceolsson.com/blog/2010/07/looking-the-sky

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Eaglesbrother says

Great Sunset shots!!!

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Celine says

These are awesome sky photographs..well done!

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Jill says

I'm so impressed that you can get a good fireworks pic. Mine never work. All the pics are gorgeous! I like Asbury Park. My husband just played music at a place called Asbury Lanes. The bowling goes on during the performance and the stage is in the middle of the alley! It's a unique town overall. Also visited some nice art galleries.

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leoraw says

I have some photos of the Stone Pony... should post those at some point, too!

I think I set my camera to a sports setting - whatever it was, it was a setting that can take continual shots. Need to play with it before Sunday evening.

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Jill says

I'll try that.

Joe has a great shot on his website of his old band playing at the Stone Pony. That's another classic Asbury Park spot.

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