Fire Academy

[Firemedic478]

Hey Folks..

I haven't submitted to this forum in quite some time, but I thought I would throw this one up to see what you guys think...I am really looking for any comments or critiques. I would really like to improve on these types of images so any comments that you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking. Forgot to add tech data....F5.6 at 1/60, Taken on Digital Rebel at ISO 100 with a Sigma 75-300 lens.

[julsoph]

Personally, I think this is great. You managed to capture both the brightness of the fire, and some detail in the men...
The only thing in this photo I would suggest doing, is to crop off the little blob of smoke/fire on the lefthand side...other than that, I really like it as is.

Emily

[JSPhoto]

I think I'd step the ISO up a couple steps or more to bring the water out more. You can't crop the left off or the hose spray wouldn't mean much.

JS

[PlantedTao]

It took a minute for me to see that the waterspray was going to the left...I concentrated on the fire in front of them before moving to the left.
If the waterspray was more apparent this would be an outstanding photo, it would grab my attention more. Still it is a great photo because of the composition, detail and the moment.


Cheers.

[Firemedic478]

Thanks everyone who took time to reply. I really do appreciate all of the comments. I didn't know if the image was too dark. I was kinda scared of increasing the exposure too much in fear of blowing out the highlights. Thanks again...

Ken

[CLKunst]

I really like this image. The intensity of the fire is everywhere and I was surprised at how much detail was retained in the firefighters even though they were in front of all of those flames. I think you did a very good job of controlling the exposure under these conditions. The stream of water was a secondary consideration, where is it pointing, etc. I believe there are actually two streams from two hoses but I consider it a point of interest to observe among the details once you've absorbed the initial impact of the image.

Cool shot!

[yogestee]

Hi firemedic..This summer in Australia we went through one of the worst bushfire seasons in years...I like this image for its impact and editorial content..These typs of images were almost a daily occurance in the press here during the summer months..

Jurgen
Australia

[Firemedic478]

Thanks for the comments CLKunst and yogestee.

CLKunst: There are actually 2 hose lines in operation. This drill is what is known as a "pit" fire. The recruits use the hose lines with a wide angle pattern (Fog stream) and then literally walk up and push the fire away from them. This builds confidence in the recruits and shows them how much protection the hose line can afford. There is an Instructor at the front of each hose line who's sole purpose is to guide the recruits and intervene if needed. If the crop wasn't so tight you could see the fire on the left being pushed back away from the recruits. Just thought I would take a minute and explain what you are looking at.

yogestee: I am sorry to hear about the current brush fire conditions in Australia. Hopefully you will get some relief soon. If things don't change soon here in Florida, we are going to be in for some trouble ourselves.

Thanks again for the comments.

Ken

[fiona]

looks like a scene straight out of a Hollywood movie. the only difference is that that is the real thing...;)

[Loupey]

Hey, Firemedic

I would suggest a different crop. It seems to me that you are in between two "better" ones. Either out more (assuming you have more in the original file) to include their feet or in more - a lot more that what has been discussed earlier.

Personally, I would crop tight, cutting throught some of the firemen on the left and down around the knees to show the bottom of the fire to just above the main fire. I think the viewer should see this as if he was standing just behind these firefighters. Forget about that secondary fire and spray to the left.