2nd fireworks attempt: help please

So after failing miserably last month trying to take pics of fireworks, I was wondering when I'll see them again this year.

Went to Montreal / Ottawa for the long weekend up here and I guess I'm glad I brought my stuff.

Looks like it was hand-held? Definitely need a tripod for fireworks.

Very little you could do to get a nice shot even with a tripod. There was no wind, so the fireworks are exploding in a cloud of smoke.

When there's no wind, I wouldn't even bother.

That's a matter of preference; the smoke makes an interesting effect, I think. I'll agree there's a little much of it in this photo, but I wouldn't call it a lost cause just cause there's smoke around. Agree with the tripod comment, as the building and bridge are pretty fuzzy.

Actually had a tripod, but no black card so I was using my hand *roll eyes* to cover the lens.

Pretty sure I touched the lens hood during the exposure hence the blur.

You should be able to get rid of most of the smoke since you had a pretty black background with PP.