Firefighter at Work
Heavily protected firefighter removing iron from a burning house and leaping back as the flames reach out suddenly. The house was being used for a training exe...
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Heavily protected firefighter removing iron from a burning house and leaping back as the flames reach out suddenly. The house was being used for a training exercise and eventual demolition. Manawatu in Winter, New Zealand.
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Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
Aperture f/5 ISO 200 Shutter 1/400 Focal Length 19504/1000 
Palmerston North, Wellington, NZ
Jul, 2019Views
1060
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People's Choice in Journalist Step Up Photo Challenge
Magnificent Capture
Peer Award
Top Choice
Absolute Masterpiece
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catherinethompson
January 02, 2022
Thank you very much. The flames burst out of the building and the firefighter had to jump back. It was very dramatic.
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken in a residential street of my local area in the Manawatu, New Zealand.Time
I was driving into the city and saw smoke rising above the houses. I drove down the street and saw that the fire brigade were dealing with a house fire. There was an empty lot beside the burning house and many people had gathered to watch the firefighters at work. It was late afternoon and an overcast day in mid-Winter. I took the photo at 4.39 pm, in July.Lighting
The weather was grey overcast and together with the smoke filling the air, the lighting was not great. However, the fire itself provided all the lighting that was required. The flames were burning fiercely and brightly, highlighting an otherwise bleak perspective.Equipment
I used my Canon Powershot SX60 HS which I rested on the fence to get stability for the shot.Inspiration
Firstly I was drawn to the flames. The colour of the leaping and crackling flames drew you into the scene but then the vision of the firefighter fighting against all odds to control the ferocity of the flames took my attention. It was the image of the lone firefighter battling against a fierce foe that drew my compassion and fear for their safety. I wanted to show this in the image I captured. To show that firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us and our properties.Editing
No post-processing was used. The image spoke for itself.In my camera bag
I always carry two cameras with me. Currently I am using a Canon Powershot SX540 HS for its lightness and macro detail together with a Nikon Coolpix P950 for its zoom capabilities, especially for shooting birds at a distance. I also have a monopod in the bag which is great for setting up easily and also for use as a handle if required. The bag also contains extra sim cards and charged batteries for both cameras.Feedback
This was a shot captured by simply keeping an eye out for the unusual while going about everyday life. The smoke drew me to the burning house and then it was looking at what was before my eyes and seeing the human interest and story in what I was viewing. Getting balance between the fire and the firefighter working to keep it under control and capturing the story with my camera.
