Firefighter picture

[Kar]

I took these pictures about the same time with different focus points. Curious what people like better.

[swanny338]

First with the firefighter in focus..

I would rather see the detail of the person to make that connection rather than see something that is obviously burning in sharp focus. Plus with the first one you can still see enough detail to tell what kind of building is burning and how big the fire is.

Great Shot

[Roy]

Normally I like the focus on the firefighter. Not being a firefighter, I can't really tell what #93 is doing so in this one I like the focus on the burning structure better.

[OTRphoto]

I prefer the firefighter in focus.. but the b/f (sitting behind me - also a fireman) likes the fire more in focus.

[RDM]

Nice shots! Hope those residents and those firemen are safe.

I like the 2nd one better. The firefighter doesn't seem to be doing anything noteworthy to be focused on. His focus seems to be away from the burning building, which kind of creates a disconnect. The building is however set ablaze and collapsing in your shot. With the building in focus it sets a grim reality about the danger of fire. In this case I think the building wins.

That's my 2 cents :)

[J Eddington]

I went with #2. I think the fire fighter is operating the ladder off of his left shoulder. I guess which one depends upon what you are trying to say with the photo.

[dsjsws]

I see the vote is split, but I vote for the firefighter in focus.

[Tim-in-TX]

I gatta go with the first one also.

[justin-branam]

just fyi, the guy on the ladder is most likely controling the nozzle at the end of the ladder. i like the first one better.

[dtscds]

I vote for the second one.
My question is why isn't he wearing one of those cool firefighter hats. If I had one of those bad-boys I'd wear it everywhere!

[jeffkohn]

I voted for the first shot. While the fire itself may actually be the subject of the picture, I still think the person should be in focus because we don't normally expect (or like) to see a person out of focus. Backgrounds on the other hand, we're used to seeing somewhat out of focus in a photo, and given that the background is still discernable I think it's fine being slightly out of focus. And the fact that there's text on the FF's shirt makes the shot with him out of focus even more distracting since our eyes naturally want to try to read it.

[Kar]

Thanks for the feedback. My editor choose #1. Her reason was since the caption was about the FF positiong the ladder to fight the fire, he should be in focus.

[jstpeter]

Here is why the vote is split IMO,

As a photojournalistic style photograph don't ask us which one is better you pick the one that tells the story the best. Was the story about the firefighters, or was it about the fire? These two photographs tell two completely different stories, Give us the photo that tells the story as you saw it.

For example if this was a big fire, but everything was handled by the book with no issues then the story is the fire and use the shot with the fire in focus, but say something unfortunately did happen to the fire fighters while fighting the fire, then the story becomes the firefighters and you can guess which one I would pick then.

Jason

[justin-branam]

Originally Posted by dtscds

I vote for the second one.
My question is why isn't he wearing one of those cool firefighter hats. If I had one of those bad-boys I'd wear it everywhere!

Have you ever worn one? They weigh a good 5 or 6 pounds and your neck gets sore after a while. I take mine off whenever I can! Andanother FYI: the guy operating the ladder is most likely the shoefer (drive), and they ussually dont gear up. I sure dont blame him for leaving the brick off his head!

[zach-e2]

Originally Posted by Kar

I took these pictures about the same time with different focus points. Curious what people like better.

my vote would be number 2, however, i think the thing that kills the images for me is the lighting on the personale. i know that's probably something unavoidable w/ fire trucks and such, but my vote is to try to keep everything as natural as possible.

here are a couple great shots i just happened to find when i went to flickr and searched firefighters:
http://flickr.com/photos/ricksforza/109390805/
http://flickr.com/photos/63329633@N00/434817950/

keep up the good work!
blessings.
z