Taken on New Years Eve from the top of the parking garage at Harrah's.
All Photos taken with Canon 20D, Tamron 28-75 2.8XR DI, F8, ISO 200, 3 second exposures.
This is the second time that I tried to photograph the new years fireworks and I still haven't found the perfect location for them. Oh well, maybe next year?
They are always best viewed here: http://www.pbase.com/fantasmic03/image/38328643
I haven't had the opportunity to try it out, but what about in CB, further back amongst the bluffs? I remember watching the home channel (Cox 24) and there was house on Parkview Dr, if I remember correctly, which had a killer view of DTO. I bet if one would get up there with a decent tele lens you could get a great angle on fireworks.
I may have the street name wrong, but the concept is still there.
Yeah, I know what you mean. I think it's "Parkwild Dr." That would probably be a pretty good shot. The fireworks would probably obscure the skyline a little, though.
And Great Photos!!! You must have gotten to the parking garage with plenty of time to spare! I tried to get over there for the Omaha 150 fireworks and traffic was just too crazy.
"The right to have access to every building in the city by private motorcar in an age when everyone possesses such a vehicle is actually the right to destroy the city."
Lewis Mumford, The Highway and the City, 1963
I got to the parking garage 45 minutes before the show started. Last Year I was near the Gallop campus for the fireworks (what a mistake that was). I wonder what the veiw would look like from the Lewis & Clark Monument in CB? I would have to use a telephoto lens, but that might look nice...
There are probably several good viewing vantage points in the Bluffs that would allow you to capture the skyline in your fireworks shots (going from south to north).
Fairmount Park Overlook - great view of the Omaha skyline, but might be too far south to avoid having fireworks in front of the skyline.
Old Kirn Field - an oft forgetten vantage point (provided it's not closed after dark), this would put you almost due east of the First National Tower. Still might be too far south with the fireworks.
Lincoln Monument - A great overview area that many outside of CB are unaware of. Possibly your best vantage point (although if you're willing to risk trespassing charges, Fairview Cemetary would be even better, as you would gain significantly in height, but hey, if anyone asks, I didn't tell you this).
Oak Park Road - Residential area, but there are a few spots where you can probably grab some good pics from along the street.
Parkwild Drive - Another great, stunning view of downtown at night, for now. New home construction along the ridge line will limit your clear line views in the future though.
Lewis and Clark Monument - This should be a good view, except that First National hides most of the Woodman Tower.
If you want to go out further, try a view along Hwy 6 out by Westfair. You'll only get the upper half of the skyline, and it's a long ways out, but still see the fireworks good. If I have time (and remember), I can post some shots I took in a hurry from about 11 miles due east of downtown (not great due to the digital zoom), but that would give you an idea of what you would get from out that way.
Another possibility would be from Vincent Bluff, but I'm sure the fireworks would be directly in front of the skyline and wash it out, but maybe not.
