The Empire State Plaza Fireworks show for 2026

I’ve photographed the amazing pyrotechnics performance at the Empire State Plaza for nearly 15 years. I’ve shot from various angles, I’ve tried various techniques.

But my problem with capturing the fireworks is always the same. Either I’ve got the camera in such an angle that the Empire State Plaza towers bend inwards, or there’s so much smoke and haze that the later photos look like I’m shooting through a Vietnam firefight.

This year, I tried something different.

I shot the fireworks while standing ten miles away from downtown Albany.

Specifically – East Greenbush.

There’s a parking lot / overlook adjacent to the East Greenbush Holiday Inn, and it gives a clear view of downtown Albany. I used that shooting spot in the past, and now I want to try it for the Fourth of July.

I just have to wait for a few things.

And by “things,” I mean the rain to stop. There’s a severe thunderstorm watch in the area, and as much as I would love to get some lightning strikes with my fireworks, I’d rather not risk a $2,000 camera in the rain.

I drove over to East Greenbush and waited out the storm. Fun fact – the first food consumed in my new car was a lamb gyro from the local Hr. Halal. Second fun fact – the first food SPILLED in my new car was a bit of lamb gyro from Mr. Halal. 😀

The rain finally cleared. Time to set up my gear.

Nikon Df at the ready. I chose my vintage Nikkor 300mm f/5.6 prime telephoto lens for the chassis.

Sort of giving me this angle for shooting.

I should note that eventually that little secluded parking lot filled up rather quickly. Many other people had the same idea as me – see the fireworks from a distance, without battling downtown Albany traffic or downtown Albany craziness.

In case you’re curious … this is the view of the Plaza that my camera saw.

The tall building in the center is the Erastus Corning Tower, named after Albany’s ten-term mayor. It’s the tallest building in New York State that’s not part of New York City. The three buildings visible at right are part of the Plaza’s Agency Buildings. The rectangular building at left is the New York State Museum, and that bowl-shaped structure at right is a performance center known as The Egg.

Okay. Let’s wait for 9:00 and watch the booms.

And at 9:00 … here come da booms.

Thirty minutes later, the show ended. People vacated the Holiday Inn parking lot in a rather orderly fashion – heck, I think I was home ten minutes after the final boom, as opposed to if I was in downtown Albany, where I’d still be there this morning.

I combined several of the best booms into one photo, and …

Well …

Tell me what you think.

KA-BOOM. KA BOOMY BOOMY BOOM.

This photo totally rocks.

And I already have plans for it.

Trust me … this one has a designated project that’s custom BUILT for it.

If you get my meaning.