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12475
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Awards
Winner in Catchthemoment Photo Challenge
Winner in Documentary Photo II Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Smoke Photo Challenge
People's Choice in A way of life Photo Challenge
Winner in Firefighters! Photo Challenge
Winner in Vocation or Avocation Photo Challenge
Winner in Intense Reportage Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Amazing People Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Everything Smoke Photo Contest
Winner in WOW ME! (no nudes, please) Photo Challenge
Winner in Smoke Photo Challenge
Winner in everyday heroes Photo Challenge
Winner in Men at Work Photo Challenge
People's Choice in Black and White Photojournalist Images Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Monochrome Rule Of Thirds Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Photojournalism Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Water And People Photo Contest
Winner in On the go! Photo Challenge
Contest Finalist in Dodho Volume 4 Photo Contest
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Superior Skill
Jaw Dropping
Exceptional Contrast
Virtuoso
One Of A Kind
Genius
Great Find
Top Ranks
Categories
rturnbow
April 12, 2013
Thanks to everyone who voted for this work in the "Lights and Shadows" contest. I received "People's Choice" and am very appreciative indeed!
http://blog.viewbug.com/lights-shadows-photo-contest-finalists/
http://blog.viewbug.com/lights-shadows-photo-contest-finalists/
AlanJakarta
April 18, 2013
Fabulous shot - a case of you being in the right place at the right time. Congratulations on your win.
AlanC
April 28, 2013
You are invited to put this photo in my project below. Hope you will enjoy it. :-) Woof!
Link: https://www.viewbug.com/project/color-monochrome-art
Link: https://www.viewbug.com/project/color-monochrome-art
JacquelineMGrange
April 30, 2013
Perfect action shot! The smoke and water... and everything gives an amazing effect. Keep up the good work!
S1nad1ch
January 01, 2015
Good call on making this on black and white it add s up to an intense drama capture.. Congratulation
guybahonsrichardson
March 30, 2015
This is the best photo I've seen in a while! How on earth did you get this awesome shot ?
nigelplayle
September 21, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
nigelplayle
September 21, 2016
Being a volunteer fireman, I can certainly relate to this. Awesome shot.
NatureCoast
September 24, 2021
Congratulations as the winner of my Documentary II challenge with this magnificent capture and beautifully presented photo. Well done!
HuaweiP30Lite
January 09, 2023
It's funny but I never hear any feminists crying their eyes out, because they are underrepresented in such situations! 😁
HuaweiP30Lite
Feb 27
This image reminds me of this song, sung by Heather Small:
"You have to search for the hero inside yourself, search for the freedom you love...!"
"You have to search for the hero inside yourself, search for the freedom you love...!"
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
It was an unplanned spur of the moment opportunity, taken in the street in front of my home in Arizona.Time
That day I was working upstairs in my home office when my wife yelled from downstairs that there was a car fire in the street. I am a proponent of having my camera batteries charged at all times, and this was a moment when I was glad of that habit. I immediately grabbed my trusty Canon 7D which had a 300mm Canon lens, checked for a memory card, then ran downstairs and out to the street where this car was fully engulfed in flames. The fire department had not yet arrived, and it was late morning around 10:30am.Lighting
At 10:30am in Arizona, everything is pretty well lit up. Thankfully the smoke, steam, and helmets provided a mechanism for diffusing the light.Equipment
My prime camera is a Canon 7D which I use for both stills and video. For this shoot I grabbed it and my Canon 300mm Canon IS lens since I didn't know how close I could get to the fire and stay safe. I quickly set the camera to manual with ISO 100, and f/7.1, and a 1/800 shutter speed. Since I was moving constantly I had no need for a tripod or flash and there was no time for even connecting a strap.Inspiration
I have had firefighters in my family for years, and they have told me stories about the work they have done. I've always wanted to shoot firefighters in action but have never had the opportunity to be on scene at a fire until this event occurred. When my wife told me what was happening it was my big opportunity which have spawned some of my best work to date. I was shooting so quickly after the firefighters arrived my memory card could hardly keep up. During the shoot, the car exploded and show debris in my direction which elevated my heart rate significantly.Editing
Because of the bright sun and the fast shooting, there was a significant amount of dark shots to deal with. Since I was shooting in RAW I was able to overcome that problem in post by increasing exposure and contrast. In this specific shot, I felt it worked better in black and white so I removed saturation completely and made sure the darks and light were properly balanced. I also added the firefighter on the right from another shot at the same scene.In my camera bag
I always have my Canon 7D, a macro lens, zoom lens, assortment of prime lenses, and filters. I have a rotating camera strap, multiple high-speed memory cards, and a battery charger as well. I carry cleaning materials, a carbon fiber tripod, remote shutter devices, and a Canon strobe too.Feedback
Always have your camera ready to go since you never know when opportunities will come up. Keep a utility lens, and memory card in the camera at all times if possible and take it everywhere. In the case of sudden action shoots, set the camera in a mode that works best to main proper lighting and focus so you can focus on framing. For fires, you will need a long lens to ensure you have a safe distance between you and the action and make sure to find a spot that provides the optimal view to the activities.