If you’re reading this in the US, chances are you spent some part of the past weekend staring up at a night sky illuminated by a series of beautiful, multicolored explosions. And perhaps you wondered to yourself, where do all those gorgeous hues and shapes and ooh-and-ahh-inspiring special effects come from? How do fireworks actually work? Here’s a basic answer, but more visually oriented types might prefer Seattle-based photographer Andrew Waits‘ Boom City series (spotted via Junkculture). By cutting Roman candles, smoke balls, and other everyday fireworks in half and photographing the results against a stark, black background, Waits gives us a rare hint of what happens after we light the fuse.
Mighty Cracker. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
Blue Thunder Roman Candle. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
Orange Ammo Smoke. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
Ground Boom Flower. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
World Class Clay Color Smoke Balls. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
Pop-Its. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
Lightning Flash. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
Flying Colour Butterflies Rocket. Photo credit: Andrew Waits
Moon Travelers Bottle Rocket. Photo credit: Andrew Waits