C&C please - Cherry St. House Fire

[Outlaw]

Was up until 3 a.m. last night photographing this house fire. The home was gutted. C&C always welcome and requested.

I wasn't allowed close to the house while they were battling the blaze, so no dramatic images of the fire actually being fought; but I'm honestly very happy with how these wide angles came out. Would love your thoughts, as always.

[JPalmer]

Originally Posted by Outlaw

so no dramatic images of the fire actually being fought

This one is pretty dramatic I'd say....sometimes, being further back and showing the scope is worth as much as a firey silohuette of a firefighter close up.

[Outlaw]

Thanks Jason, I believe that's the one that will be no the front page of the paper this week with a half page jump to the back for more color photos. Everyone's talking about it around town today, that's for sure.

My only problem the whole night was ending up stuck on the wrong side of the fire hose going from the hydrant to the trucks, so whether I was done or not, I was there until the last fire truck left. Long night, but no complaints.

[Photographer557]

"My only problem the whole night was ending up stuck on the wrong side of the fire hose going from the hydrant to the trucks, so whether I was done or not, I was there until the last fire truck left. Long night, but no complaints."

Ha, Ha, gotta park far away. You never know how much supply line will get put down.

The pictures look great. Congratulations. It's not easy shooting motion at night.

[reciprocity]

I really like the images of the firefighters themselves. While a big fire and water shot would have been pretty, I feel like I've seen all of those I want in the paper. I especially like the 2nd, 5th, and last images. The 2nd one, of the firefighter getting suited up gets the attention- both because of the gas mask and the strange lighting caused by the fire and firetruck lights. It looks a little washed out overall, and I'd try to accentuate that lighting if you work on it further. In the fifth image, the older man is just such a gruff looking character, and I like the image because it gives the idea that serious business is afoot. The last image has a nice solemnity about it- as if recognizing the danger.
The 3rd, 4th, and 6th, in my opinion, suffer from not conveying any action- I would think there would be action and drama, even up close, but none of that comes accross in those images. You can't tell if it's a drill, demonstration, or the real thing. I do, however, still like the images.
Great shooting! Gutsy of you to walk right into the middle of it all!

[Outlaw]

Thank you for the comments, Greg and Rob! And thank you for the extended evaluation. I agree completely. Today I'll be picking out which photos to put in the paper this week and I'll keep your suggestions in mind.

[ttusa]

#1 is very dramatic- I hope no one got hurt?

[Outlaw]

Therese, the owner of the house had burns on his arm, but I believe that was it. He was welding the bottom side of a vehicle in the middle of the night and caught a gas line. He had blasting caps and explosive chemicals in his garage as well, so he's lucky he got out with only burns.