Welcoming the new year with a bang...

As Big Ben struck midnight, so began ten minutes of sheer brilliance along the banks of the River Thames in London...

12:00 a.m.
January 1, 2014

"2014 with a Bang"
London, England

And who said the Brits are an understated bunch?  

It was billed as a "multi sensory" experience...

...as if masses of light and booming explosions aren't enough?  Fruit flavored mist from the pyro-technics was filtered down upon the crowds from the explosions.  Planned for banana flavored confetti was nixed due to the rain.  Bollocks!

Hard to believe, but yes...it was raining in London.  Not that it dampened any New Year's Eve revelling spirits however.  And after one last burst that lit the sky white...

...it was over.

And so begins 2014.

12:10 a.m.
January 1, 2014

"The Quiet After the Storm"
London, England


"I think that I shall never see,
fireworks quite as lover-ly."
-moi
(obviously inpsired by London and Shakespeare)

For anyone interested as seeing this amazing display in action...

  

courtesy of the BBC

I have to tell ya, I'm usually unbelievably critical of my photography.  But I'm kinda chuffed about these.  Had never tried photographing fireworks before, and I was afraid the recommended camera settings wouldn't be adequate once I saw the magnitude of the explosions.  It wasn't until I returned home to the states and viewed the images outside my LCD screen that I realized I didn't end up with ruined results after all.  I did surprisingly little editing beyond adjusting some levels and sharpening.  They aren't perfect, but they certainly aren't wonky either.  I'm actually kinda pleased with myself.  Thank you London!

Here's where I'm linking up today ..."The Party's On"

Please join me on Sundays for Song-ography.

This week's song title is Sara Bareilles' "Brave".