Sparklers pictures are a fun and festive part of any 4th of July gathering. Find out how you can document the day by taking long exposure photographs on your smartphone. Your Instagram feed is going to shine!
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Safety First When Creating Sparkler Pictures
The most important step is insuring your safety and that of the people around you. Always make sure any children are closely supervised. Sparklers can reach temperatures above 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and need to be handled carefully. Use caution both when they are lit and after they finish sparking. It is so much better to end the night ooh-ing and aah-ing at fireworks as opposed to waiting at the ER to get a burn treated.
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Stability is Key
Normally, your camera records a picture in a mere fraction of a second. Long exposure photography creates the image over the course of multiple seconds. Unless the goal is to create an abstract image, your phone needs to be stabilized. Even if your current beach body has 18-inch biceps, you will not be strong enough to hold it completely still. A tripod or some other method of bracing the camera is necessary when creating sparkler pictures
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Capturing Sparklers in a Photo
There are three ways to capture your image using a smartphone instead of DSLR camera.
Manual Mode
Later model Android phones have a ‘manual’ or ‘pro’ mode. Initially, set the shutter speed between one and three seconds and the ISO between 100 and 400. Experiment with these settings to get the shot you want.
iPhone Live
If you have an iPhone operating with iOS11, another option is to use the Live mode in the camera app. When enabled, the camera captures 1.5 seconds before the picture is snapped and 1.5 seconds after. To create your image, compose your shot and take a Live picture. Select it from the cameral roll and swipe up to reveal the Effects menu. Select ‘Long Exposure’ and a new image will be made by layering all three seconds of Live footage.
Third Party Apps
The last option is to use a third-party app. Search ‘long exposure photography’ in the app store to explore your options. Slow Shutter Cam is one of my favorite apps to use. It has a capture mode specifically for light trails and the interface is simple to navigate.
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Photo: Amber Dickson
Get Creative
Now, pull out your imagination. It’s time for some fun!
Consider starting with something simple. A two-second exposure shot of a single sparkler in total darkness is easy to create but still yields magical results. Gradually add people and multiple sparklers as you get the hang of your camera. Make sure to experiment with settings. You are sure to stumble accidentally into some great shots this way.
Keep in mind that the longer the shutter speed, the more sparks and light trails you will capture. However, if getting a clear and focused image of someone’s face is your goal, the shutter speed needs to be limited to one second.
When using sparklers to ‘write’ with light, it is much easier to flip the image in a photo editor than it is to form the letters backward as the picture is taken.
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Remember, sparklers do not have to be relegated solely to the 4th of July. Keep some on hand for backyard barbecues, impromptu picnics on the beach, and even a run-of-the mill weeknight at home. They are guaranteed to add, well, sparkle to everything.
TV shows love a good Christmas episode. There’s even a bounty of Thanksgiving ones, and plenty of New Year’s Eve plotlines. But when it comes to America’s birthday, television sometimes lags behind. In honor of the Fourth of July, here are some TV shows that celebrated in style.
[Editor’s Note: spoilers ahead]
Mad Men, “Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency”: It’s all fun and games until someone brings out a lawn mower in the office. In one of the most notorious episodes of “Mad Men”, “Guy Walks Into an Advertising Agency,” Joan is preparing to leave her role at Sterling Cooper. Naturally, her departure is celebrated with a party in the office. Unfortunately, the tipsy staff get a little rowdy on a John Deere riding mower, and end up barreling over Guy MacKendrick’s foot. If you didn’t scream at the image of blood splattering up on the faces of Sterling Cooper employees, we’re not sure what will shock you.
Saved by the Bell “Fourth of July”: In the alternate universe that is the Malibu Sands Beach Club, life can get a little chaotic. Zack Morris, is, for some reason, chosen as a replacement judge of the beach club’s Miss Liberty pageant. As each of the Bayside gals push him to vote for them as the pageant winner, the club’s owner, Mr. Carosi tells Zack that his daughter Stacey should be picked as the winner. Kelly wins and Stacey is heartbroken, until Kelly makes it clear that Zack has the hots for her. The episode concludes with Stacey and Zack kissing as the fireworks go off behind them.
Stranger Things, “The Bite”: What’s the 4th of July without a carnival and fireworks? In this season 3 episode, things start out peaceful enough with the squad riding the ferris wheel to catch the fireworks at the local fair. Naturally, things go a bit haywire. The episode concludes with Eleven’s mysterious leg wound pulsing and moving, as the piece of Mind Flayer is now inside of her.
Boy Meets World, “State of the Unions”: Corey and Topanga forever. When Topanga tells Corey that a wedding hall has opened up for the 4th of July, she wants him to jump at the opportunity. However, Topanga’s parents show up in town and tell her they’re getting divorced, hurting her faith in the possibility that her and Corey could be in love forever. We all know the couple triumphs, and even Mr. Feeny gets some love when he marries Dean Bolander in the Matthews family’s living room. Love conquered all!
Little House on the Prairie, “Centennial”: If you know a thing or two about reruns, you know “Little House on the Prairie” still reigns supreme. So it’s no surprise that the beloved series chronicling the early life of Laura Ingalls and her family on the frontier features a 4th of July episode. In “Centennial,” the town is pumped to celebrate America’s 100th birthday, until everyone realizes their taxes are going up. Luckily, the Walnut Grove residents get their act in gear in time to celebrate.
The West Wing, “Jefferson Lives”: Well, not all 4th of July episodes are joyful ones. As Zoey Bartlet recovers from the kidnapping on the night of her college graduation, things are hectic at the White House as they search for a new Vice President. But there are touches of the holiday’s meaning during the episode, as President Bartlet goes to meet a group of new American citizens whose original citizenship venue was compromised by a bomb threat.
Megan Johnson is a reporter in Boston. She got her start at the Boston Herald, where commenters would leave sweet messages like “Megan Johnson is just awful.” Now, she’s a contributor to publications like People Magazine, Trulia and Architectural Digest.
Here’s a summertime tip: Always make popsicles. And these popsicle recipes make it easy.
Summer is here, which means the Fourth of July is on the way and you probably have a barbeque to host. Whether you’re holding a kid-friendly summer party or an adults-only celebration, popsicles will make everyone happy, including you! That’s because they’re ridiculously easy to make, you can prep them far in advance, and nothing tastes better on a hot day than a refreshing popsicle.
We have two tasty recipes for you to prep this summer. The first popsicles are champagne-infused (adults only!), mimicking the colors in a bomb pop. The second are kid-friendly (but equally delicious) lemon-flavored fruity popsicles.
Recipe 1: Adults-Only Champagne “Bomb Pops”
INGREDIENTS
Champagne*
Fresh strawberries
Ripe bananas
Fresh blueberries
Simple syrup
*Use a champagne with an ABV below 12%.
Mash each fruit separately in a bowl, using a blender, food processor, or with a fork. Add a dash of simple syrup, and mix in some champagne. The ratio of champagne to fruit should be one to four. Too much champagne and the popsicles won’t freeze!
Layer the fruit mixes in a popsicle mold, and let freeze for at least 6 hours, or over-night. Enjoy!
Recipe 2: Kid-Friendly 4th of July Popsicles
INGREDIENTS
Fresh strawberries
Fresh blueberries
Lemon-flavored Italian soda*
*To cut back on sugar, you can substitute the Italian soda with lemonade
Cut the strawberries into slices. Set strawberries slices in the popsicle molds, then add a few blueberries until the molds are 75% full. Fill to the top with lemon-flavored Italian soda (you’ll probably need to pour a little bit first then wait for the fizzing to settle before filling to the top). Freeze for 6 hours or overnight.
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This Fourth of July, I’m glad I have a freezer stocked with popsicles ready for when the sun comes out. What’s your favorite way to stay cool in the heat?
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
If you’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to save on a new mattress, I have exciting news for you: Mattress brands and big retailers are giving us more to celebrate this 4th of July with tons of amazing mattress deals (many of which are already live!). We all know the importance of a great night’s sleep. But, since it’s highly dependent on the comfort and support of your bed, this makes finding a top-quality mattress (for the right price, of course) a necessity. Whether you know what you want (from foam to hybrid, latex to organic, or even a smart mattress) or you’re looking to explore your options, you’re guaranteed to find a great mattress for way less. To get started, check out our guide to the best editor-tested mattresses, then hit the list of deals below. Tip: Make the most of your investment by also grabbing a mattress protector!
Tuft & Needle — Score 15 percent off of mattresses and 10 percent off of organic jersey bedding and stock up for cozy season.
Naturepedic — Save 20 percent sitewide on mattresses and bedding for the whole family and get free shipping!
Brooklyn Bedding — Enjoy 25 percent off of mattresses and more sitewide with the code JULY25.
Serta — Score up to $800 off select Serta mattresses and adjustable base sets through July 11.
Leesa — Shop the 4th of July sale for up to $700 off mattresses plus two free pillows.
Beautyrest — Save up to $800 on a Beautyrest Black mattress and select adjustable foundations. And when you buy a pillow, you get a second free!
Cocoon by Sealy — Score up to 35 percent off on Chill Mattresses. (Bonus: Get free pillows and sheets!)
Amerisleep — Use the code AS450 to score $450 off mattresses plus free delivery, a 100-night trial, and 20-year warranty.
Nectar Sleep — Buy a mattress and get $100 off plus up to $499 in free accessories.
DreamCloud — Get $200 off of a mattress plus $499 in free accessories, including a mattress protector, sheet set, and pillows.
Puffy Mattress — Score $750 off of any Puffy mattress when you checkout using the code SAVE750.
Molecule — Use the code JULY4TH at checkout for 30 percent off of mattress and bedding.
Layla Sleep — Save up to $200 on mattresses, plus score two free Layla Memory Foam Pillows.
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission.
When it comes to choosing the best induction cookware sets, Kitchn has three favorites that they absolutely love. The only problem? They’re rarely ever in stock. So when we do see them available, we make sure to let you know ASAP. Like right now — Anolon’s highly rated Nouvelle Stainless 10-piece Cookware Set is actually in stock (it was once sold out for five straight months!). Even better? From now through July 5, you can score an additional 20 percent off of this popular pick when you use promo code FRIENDS.
For those unfamiliar with Anolon’s popular cookware set, it made Kitchn’s list of the best induction cookware and even earned the distinction of being the best budget-friendly set. Kitchn lifestyle director Lisa, who bought the set to use on her mother’s induction stove, even said, “I get to cook with this stuff every time I go to visit and I’m impressed time after time. I have a gas stove and am considering getting myself a set, too.”
As for what makes it such a stand-out pick, it all comes down to the high-quality construction and finish. The cookware pieces have a layer of copper inside the aluminum, making them a superior conductor of heat. And anyone who’s cooked on an induction stove knows that maintaining even heat is a challenge. You’re always moving things around to the hot side of the pan, watching pancakes burn on the left while they’re still practically raw on the right. But with this unique construction, that’s no longer a problem. Plus, you get everything you need to whip up a gourmet meal: two saucepans (1.25-qt. and 2.5-qt.) with lids, a stockpot (6.5-qt.) with lid, two frying pans (8-in. and 10.5-in.), and a sauté pan (3-qt.) with lid.
And it doesn’t hurt that the budget-friendly cookware set is thoughtful, elegant, and beautiful to look at. The stainless handles are curved for a more comfortable fit and securely bolted to the base with two stainless steel rivets — an especially handy feature since you don’t want to worry about wobbly handles when you’re transferring a pot from a 500 degree oven to the table. And the fry pans boast flared sides that keep everything contained but also give you plenty of depth for tossing and stirring ingredients.
Phoebe is the Editorial Intern for the Kitchn Commerce team. You can usually find her crafting a charcuterie board or making the most out of her tiny apartment kitchen. She is a student at Vanderbilt and is based out of Nashville and New York.
