I think to appreciate this shot is to not know it is of fireworks. If examined for the lit strings/spark trails and drifting mist/smoke, overlaid with a train trestle or pier, the mystery and lack of explanations are very powerful. The right angles between the white lines and the "clouds," bisected by black, is a very strong and rare compositional element. I love this as much as anything in a long time (and I'm very fond of your work).

wow, I like this shot a lot. Unlike Sharla, I'm not sure knowing it's a firework photo detracts or not... it's a definite mind-bender either way, and telling that it's a firework shot is basically like pulling a trump card over all other fireworks shots ever taken, since they all basically look the same.

Is this the 'different' fireworks shot you've been seeking? I like it a lot; almost graphical black & white, and the panoramic omposition suits it well. I bet it makes a great print, if printed large.

I like it a lot, Dave, and I think it's actually a different fireworks shot. It has some kind of "industrial" and cyberpunk mood, with a strong feeling of mystery. I love the desaturation and the smoke fading out and merging with the darkness. Bravo!

This definitely needs the black background. It took me a while to figure out was the picture was, so I think that that's a good thing! A good photograph should make you linger and think-- like a good painting!

This is really good, Dave. More impressionist & artistic than your usual stuff: you should do more of these. Technology is best used when it creates an 'organic' feel which you've definitely captured with this shot. :-)

Very cool. I had no idea what it really was. Felt sure it was rain or water spray of some sort.

You certainly wouldn't look at this and think fireworks - floodlit rain or welding on a grand scale maybe! A very arty and mysterious shot - love it.

Fantastic picture. It looks very dramatic and threatening to me. The combination of the lines and the smoke works really well.

I thought it was a bus stop in the rain when I first saw this image. Do you ever worry that sometimes it becomes more about post-processing and less about photography for you?

Thanks everyone.

Norbert: no, that doesn't worry me, mostly because I don't really see the taking of a shot it's post-processing as different things - both are necessary. Sure, sometimes I'll spend more time post-processing a shot that could have been better taken in the first place, but generally speaking I see both stages as being integral to the final result.