Shooting the July 4th Fireworks from the Allegheny River
If you're a Pittsburgher then you know some of our "great debates." Where is the biggest pothole in the city? What church makes the best pierogies? Or, where is the best place to watch fireworks near the city?
Personally, I don't have a dog in the pierogie and pothole fight, but for me the best place to watch the July 4th fireworks display is sitting in a kayak (or any watercraft) on the Allegheny River near Point State Park. It's a front row seat that allows you to experience the pyrotechnics at a gut level.
Capturing the fireworks action while sitting in a kayak is challenging. Trying to shoot a long exposure while bouncing in the current is tough. Be prepared to get at least six poor shots for every decent one. Actually my best kayak fireworks pictures came from shooting the action in 4K video with a GoPro and then extracting the best ones from the video.
Aside from the fireworks themselves, three- quarters of the fun is paddling down to the Point at sunset and the ride back late on a summer night.
The trip from the Millvale Launch to the Point takes about 30-40 minutes depending on the current. Here, you can get spectacular shots of the city skyline lit up by the setting sun.
Expect the return trip back to the Millvale Launch (against the current) to be more physically challenging. Keep your wits about you, stay closer to the shore to avoid boat traffic, and it should be an uneventful trip.
The reward---feeling like you're paddling through an impressionist painting.
And while you may be cursing the current, at least you aren't cursing from sitting in a two-hour traffic jam on the northside.
Here is a short video I shot of our kayak trip to the 2021 July 4th Fireworks show at the Point.
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