Taming the Dragon
Jul, 2016Views
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken when my husband and brother-in-law were going through the Fire Academy at Pima Community College in Tucson, AZ. It was family night, and one of the main events was called, "taming the dragon." This is where the recruits showed their skill when using a water hose to tame the fire and localize it. This particular shot is of my brother-in-law, he is on the right.Time
This photo was taken around 8pm on December 14, 2014. There were a handful of other recruits that had gone before my brother-in-law, so I used them as my guinea pigs to get the perfect lighting effect I wanted. Voila! When it was his turn, the flames framed their bodies perfectly, and I took multiple shots in order to have a variety of options to choose from.Lighting
This photo was absolutely a lucky shot! Photography had been a hobby of mine in high school, but it had been at least seven years since I picked up a camera. I knew I wanted the recruits bodies to be silhouetted against the fire, but didn't know how the fire would react. It was pretty exhilarating working with such a feral element.Equipment
This shot was taken with a Nikon D3100, 165mm, ISO 100, Aperture f/5.6, and Shutter Speed 1/500sec.Inspiration
When I saw the first pair of recruits working with the fire, I knew it was a moment that needed to be captured. It just seemed like such an epic and manly thing to document for family, plus, what a great Christmas present! I just kept thinking that if I were in their position, I'd want this amazing moment captured and framed so I can look back on it when I'm on board with a fire department. *Spoiler* My brother-in-law got on with the Tucson Fire Department shortly after this shot was taken!Editing
The only post-processing that was required on this photo was cropping it to ensure the focal point made up the entirety of the frame.In my camera bag
Well, I am by no means a "professional" photographer. It is more of a hobby, so I keep the basics in my bag. I tend to alternate between the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-55mm VR lens and the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm Lens. I also keep an extra charged battery and memory disc.Feedback
Seize the moment! If its a ceremonial event like this, where a handful of other people are going before a loved one, then use the others as guinea pigs! Have fun trying to get the right camera settings and angles. So when the big moment comes, you know the exact setting you need and how to position yourself so you can capture that WOW moment!
