We decided to head over to Cromer on New Year’s Day to see the firework display. This is an annual event for Cromer with the fireworks being launched from the pier. They usually have other events on before the fireworks but this year those had been cancelled due to Covid.
We left a lot later than we should’ve done and the roads were heaving with traffic heading into Cromer. We took a different route in and with long queues of traffic, and the clocking ticking, we parked as politely and respectfully as we could in a residential area.
On the walk to the display, we could see long queues of cars, car parks completely full, drivers mounting kerbs to park on grass verges, and some annoyed looking residents standing outside their properties to ensure no one parked blocking their driveway. I can totally understand what a nightmare it must be for the residents.
With my travel tripod in hand, we arrived at the cliff top to see loads of people standing in various places all around ready to see the display. Our masks were deployed anywhere where we were close to others. My wife Kathryn decided to keep her spot on the cliff top while I ventured down the steps to the promenade.
On the way down the steps, there were one or two photographers very cleverly positioned on the platforms at each section of the stairs. I walked along the prom but couldn’t see any particularly good vantage point. The display was starting in less than half an hour and all the prime spots were taken. The beach would be perfect but the tide was in and I’d already looked up the tide to note that it would be full tide at 17:15 with the display starting at 17:00.
I found a spot on one of the sloped paths leading from the lower promenade to the beach and set up there. It was partially blocked by two people next to me. I did look to see if I could position at the bottom of the slope where the railings ended which would’ve been great but the tide was splashing over that part of the slope and I didn’t want to risk a big splash over my camera.
The display started and I fired off some shots experimenting with different settings. I found 4 secs shutter speed to be pretty good.
Unfortunately, a few of my shots had half the profile of the person to my right as they periodically leaned over the railings and proceeded to video the entire display. Pretty annoying but to be fair, they’d got there first. I would do my best to clone them out and crop in post production, or just point upwards and concentrate on getting shots of the fireworks and the colours/patterns rather than attempting the shot no doubt everyone wants which is the pier with the fireworks as well.
I got a few nice shots so it was good as my first experience of shooting fireworks.
I observed from other photos published online that a beach position (even from the other side) is good. Also, I saw some pics of the display from Overstrand beach which I hadn’t thought of doing. Of course, these locations were probably more favourable this year as many people may have stayed off the beach with the tide coming in. Those photographers with wellies and a good idea of what were good locations with minimal risk of people in front of them had prepared very well.
All in all, a good trip and I’d definitely like to shoot more fireworks in future. I’ll attend again next year, look to get to the chosen spot much earlier and see what I can get.
My two favourite shots of the display are below…
Onwards and upwards…