Sparklers for the First Day of Winter

“Now THAT was a hit,” said my husband after the kids were in bed.

This week hasn’t been out of the ordinary for us. My husband has done three 24 hour on call shifts and a person very close to me is in hospital.  It only takes a few days of randomness to send the family into chaos, doesn’t it? A few days out of the house, a few extra activities or some unexpected event can shift the routine and balance. I’ve learned to lower my expectations during these times and get back on top of it all when things return to normal.

During this week, Elizabeth from dotdotblog wrote a lovely guest post for me about finding the magic in the everyday.  It fit so well on my blog because the I want stuff on here to be doable.  I love browsing on the Internet and seeing all the amazing things people make and do, but on my blog I want people to say,  “I can do that!” not just “Wow, that cool.”  And that is exactly how I felt when I read Elizabeth’s post.  She suggested lighting sparklers to celebrate the first day of Winter and, amongst this crazy week I’m having, I thought,  “I can do that!”

On the way to get the kids from school today, I purchased a few packets of $1 sparklers, and after dinner we photographed shapes, swirls and words “because it’s Winter tomorrow”.

I feel like I’ve captured a small pocket of family time this week and it’s lifted my spirits. If living in the neighbourhood, you would have heard delighted shrieks coming from the backyard (and not just from the children). In fact, I think it’s one of the most fun things we’ve done in a long time and it only lasted 20 minutes or so (and cost $3).

Safety

Sparklers can be a hazard so my husband and I were very careful to instruct and monitor our children during this activity.

Camera Settings

These kinds of photographs are easy to do, you just need to find out how to control the shutter speed on your camera (just google ‘adjust shutter speed {your camera brand and type}’.  I use a Nikon D90 so the instructions are specific to my camera but most SLR and digital cameras have very similar functions.

1. Select Shutter S (rather than auto, manual or what you usually use)

2. Choose on how many seconds you want the delay to be.  I set mine to 4 seconds and that worked well.

3. Place the camera on something that doesn’t move.  So a tripod if you have one or just a box, railing, chair or other furniture that is near where you want to take the picture.  I used the railing on our porch.

4. Get the person in position with the sparkler and then count down before you push the button.  Say “GO” just after you press the button.  Hold the camera very steady. The picture is taken when you hear the delayed ‘click’.

5. We experimented and for best results, use deliberate, not-too-fast movements to draw something within the 4 seconds (and only do it once unless you want to do swirls). For example, when drawing a heart, do a heart shape in the air once, and then just hold until the click. Most of the pics below we got on the first try so it’s not hard at all. Just keep in mind that you need to draw things in the air that don’t need breaks, but rather a continuous line.

Swirls

This is super easy. Just get the kids to swirl their sparklers round and round in a circle.

Star

My husband decided to try a 5 point star and this pic is our first attempt!  So, so cool!

Heart

I did a love heart by drawing a heart shape in the air once during the 4 seconds.

Letter

K is for Kelly.  When doing letters, you have to draw it backwards so it’s the right way in the photograph.

Love

I didn’t know how this would go but we got this pic on the first take!  I instructed each of the kids on which letter to draw and they stood next to each other and waited for the “go”. Can’t believe how awesome it turned out!

Masterchef

My eldest daughter decided to do the Masterchef symbol becuase she is a big fan of the show.

Cloud

Cloud shape, or is it a flower?

Craziness

Then, of course, you can just go CRAZY and see what comes out. Awesome. There’s four kids in there somewhere.

Just like that, I think we have a new tradition for our family: sparkler pictures to celebrate the first day of Winter. Best.

More

Autum — Leaves

Spring — Hanging Posy Vase

Summer — Head Wreath