Apartment Fire...PJ

[shakin360]

Came upon a apartment fire today, it was my first attempt at PJ. Appeared to start in a kid's room. I don't believe anyone was hurt. I saw one man taken away on a stretcher, but I think it was because he was missing a leg. The cops let me get pretty close, he was telling some people near me to back up. I asked if I was alright and he said yeah. I forgot my kit lens in my truck and just had my 85 1.8, so I really don't have any wide angle shots. It was quite an experience, exciting in fact. Feel bad for all the people though. There were some city buses brought in for the people to stay warm. I ran into one photographer, I believe a freelancer. (i've seen her before at other events) She was shooting with a 20D, 70-200 2.8, and a 17-40L i believe. Also a sony camcorder of some kind. She wasn't very nice. We were just standing there, neither of us were shooting so I tried to start a conversations. Whenever I said anything to her she kinda just blew me off. Then she asked me if I was there "just for fun", with total attitude. I asked her the same and she just mumbled something that I couldn't hear and shooting for TV or something. Didn't seem like she liked somebody else on her "turf". I got home and emailed a few low res proofs to the newspaper. Wonder if I'll hear back from them.

Ok enough with that. Here's the pics.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/Picture125web.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/Picture209web.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/Picture240web.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/Picture264web.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/Pictureweb.jpg

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/Picture318web.jpg

[SWPhotoImaging]

I really like #3
I think it's the focus, colors, contrast and detail that make it pop.
It may not be the most "pj" of the group, since you can't tell they are battling a fire, but I like it anyway.

[Mills]

Excellent Job!

[shakin360]

#3 is my favorite too. Check it out in B&W.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/firefightersweb.jpg

[RipJaw]

#3 Has also got to be my favorite as well. Did you use a police/fire scanner to know this was going on or just came across it ?

[RipJaw]

Just saw the black and white post, it looks great in B&W but you lose those amazing yellows from the coats and the green from the tank. I'm not sure if its worth the color loss. Maybe desaturate a little bit but I'm not sure about all the way. Ether way its still a great shot wether color or b&w. Good job.

[shakin360]

#3 Has also got to be my favorite as well. Did you use a police/fire scanner to know this was going on or just came across it ?
Yeah, i used a scanner. Lately when I drive around looking for interesting shots I will carry it with me. I was pretty far away when I heard the call, but still made it before they closed the road.

[PsychProf]

Your documentation can be valuable to the firefighters, law enforcement, and the victims. Don't let someone make you feel guilty for doing something that might help others. A suggestion: give a set of prints or a photo CD to the fire department as a document of what they do well. Then ask that if a private investigator or attorney requests copies that they give them your name and number. I have done on-scene video for more than 16 years and it is important the first responders know why you are there, and that you are a value to them.

[shakin360]

Your documentation can be valuable to the firefighters, law enforcement, and the victims. Don't let someone make you feel guilty for doing something that might help others. A suggestion: give a set of prints or a photo CD to the fire department as a document of what they do well. Then ask that if a private investigator or attorney requests copies that they give them your name and number. I have done on-scene video for more than 16 years and it is important the first responders know why you are there, and that you are a value to them.
I thought about maybe giving them a cd and maybe a little bigger print of # 3

[RipJaw]

Your documentation can be valuable to the firefighters, law enforcement, and the victims. Don't let someone make you feel guilty for doing something that might help others. A suggestion: give a set of prints or a photo CD to the fire department as a document of what they do well. Then ask that if a private investigator or attorney requests copies that they give them your name and number. I have done on-scene video for more than 16 years and it is important the first responders know why you are there, and that you are a value to them.

That's some great information. I'm going to have to remember this when I get serius with my urban photography.

[o2ripper]

I really like the very last one. If only his helmet were on. But I would have to say its my favorite. Good job!

[shakin360]

I really like the very last one. If only his helmet were on. But I would have to say its my favorite. Good job!

It looks like the room is still onfire, but it is just smoke and their lights.

[SWPhotoImaging]

I thought about maybe giving them a cd and maybe a little bigger print of # 3

I think #3 could be cropped slightly, matted and framed, and displayed proudly in their firehouse.

[zacker]

the firefighters are checking out your gear and thinking, id rather be shoting this like that guy than climbing this darn ladder!

How close were you to the action? and did anyone, police, fire fighters ask you to get back?
nice, # 3 is the best one.
-zacker-

[shakin360]

I think #3 could be cropped slightly, matted and framed, and displayed proudly in their firehouse.

I agree. All these shots are still uncropped. So you all like the color one better than B&W?

[SWPhotoImaging]

Definately the color.

[shakin360]

the firefighters are checking out your gear and thinking, id rather be shoting this like that guy than climbing this darn ladder!

How close were you to the action? and did anyone, police, fire fighters ask you to get back?
nice, # 3 is the best one.
-zacker-
I was pretty close. Maybe ... 20-30ft. On the last one about 10. All I had was my 85 1.8. The only official I spoke to was a cop. He was asking some people to stand back a little. I asked him if I was ok. He said yeah, just don't get any closer. I got a little closer at the end, when there was nobody left outside. Just a few inside looking how it started. For the most part I was about as far back as the trunk of this car, just more left towards the woods.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/firecar.jpg

[shakin360]

I really wish these shots would have turned out. I love the first one, just too damn narrow DOF. Still geting used to my new lens. The firefighter was talking to the kids, super nice guy.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/kidsfire.jpg

This one is a little OOF.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/fireguy.jpg

and this one is ok I guess. Wish i was at more of an angle like the other one.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/fireguy2.jpg

[adam*]

Great series. The colour on #3 is definately the best although the B+W is a good too.

[greatkingbowser]

Really love these photos. Good job!

[muscleflex]

damn those pictures are so sharp!!!!!

[shakin360]

that my new 85 1.8...love it.

Just got my 50 1.4 today. Hope it is as good.:D

[wu_wei0]

All are great, but I find number 3 amazing even --if just the smoke and their lights it has the glow of fire.
Great job.

[shakin360]

Never got an email back from the paper. Turns out their photographer made it. I didn't see him, he was on the other side of the building. Would have been nice though for them to at least respond.

[BottomBracket]

These are great shots. I'm curious as to what the paper's photographer had, it would be hard to top these.

[shakin360]

If I remember I will scan it.

If i were to give a cd to the FD. Would/should I sign a release or anything? How woule you go about it?

[PsychProf]

Here in the very rural area of North Florida we are pretty informal. After I started shooting the video of fires and auto accidents they made me an Associate Member of Madison Fire/Rescue so I can get inside the yellow tape at the scenes. I never signed anything but always offer the Fire Department a copy of the tape. The Florida Highway Patrol and Madison EMS have requested copies and I always give them what they want for free. In turn, if an attorney contacts them they refer the attorney to me and I do charge them for copies of video or pictures. The key is to build trust, stay out of the way, and provide a service of value to the first responders.

[Mills]

If I remember I will scan it.

If i were to give a cd to the FD. Would/should I sign a release or anything? How woule you go about it?


I give CD's to the CFD often. The guys really enjoy them. They tell me it is the only way they get to "see" the fires they work because they are so busy working. I have had no problems. In Chicago, the shifts are 1 day on for 24 straight hours, then off for two days. I bring the CD on the appropriate shift day, so the actual crew that worked the fire gets to see it first. Not sure what the system is in Kenosha.

[shakin360]

I have no idea which station these guys were from. I know multiple stations were there. Should I bring them in to a random station and ask around, or should I email someone more in charge.

Also, should I include all the pics ~350, or just give them all the good ones with some PP.

[Mills]

I have no idea which station these guys were from. I know multiple stations were there. Should I bring them in to a random station and ask around, or should I email someone more in charge.

Also, should I include all the pics ~350, or just give them all the good ones with some PP.


Just the good ones. Find the firehouse that is closest to the fire building and start there. Ask the guys if there is anyone else that might want them.

[shakin360]

Sounds good. This happened fairly close to my place and the fire house is even closer. Maybe I'll stop in. This may sound funny, but do I just walk in, or knock on the door. Do they usually have a public entrance?

Here is a little write up I found.

KENOSHA — Thirty-six people were left without homes Thursday after a fire gutted eight apartments at 1404 16th Ave.

Twenty-eight Kenosha firefighters responded to the two-story, 16-unit building at 2:47 p.m. and found fire coming from the rear of the first floor. The fire was reported by a We Energies electric meter reader, who noted smoke in the building’s hallway and called 911 with their cell phone.

Firefighter took about three hours to control the fire and leave the scene. Firefighting was hampered by residents not evacuating the building and a blocked fire lane, according to the fire department.

The American Red Cross arranged shelter for the 36 displaced residents. City buses were brought to the scene to provide temporary shelter.
Damage to the building is estimated at $100,000.

[Carzee]

I love PJ. Love this stuff, and POTN has it -the other week it was the fuel refineryexplosion in Hampshire Nth London. Then there's Mike in Iraq..

[shakin360]

I love PJ. Love this stuff, and POTN has it -the other week it was the fuel refineryexplosion in Hampshire Nth London. Then there's Mike in Iraq..

Haven't seen any shots from Iraq. Would like to though. I'll have to do a search!

[Mills]

Sounds good. This happened fairly close to my place and the fire house is even closer. Maybe I'll stop in. This may sound funny, but do I just walk in, or knock on the door. Do they usually have a public entrance?

Here is a little write up I found.

KENOSHA — Thirty-six people were left without homes Thursday after a fire gutted eight apartments at 1404 16th Ave.

Twenty-eight Kenosha firefighters responded to the two-story, 16-unit building at 2:47 p.m. and found fire coming from the rear of the first floor. The fire was reported by a We Energies electric meter reader, who noted smoke in the building’s hallway and called 911 with their cell phone.

Firefighter took about three hours to control the fire and leave the scene. Firefighting was hampered by residents not evacuating the building and a blocked fire lane, according to the fire department.

The American Red Cross arranged shelter for the 36 displaced residents. City buses were brought to the scene to provide temporary shelter.
Damage to the building is estimated at $100,000.

Should be a public entrance. Just be respectful. The firehouse is their second home.

[shakin360]

Should be a public entrance. Just be respectful. The firehouse is their second home.

Gotcha.

[phpMP]

Hey, these are some wonderful shots! I hope you have a few printed up to show off at the meeting this month!

See ya next week.


Chad

[troutbreath]

Nice shots. I always wondered, not being a journalist, if it was OK to take pictures of events like this. I feel kind of like I am enjoying my craft while others are suffering. I liked what PsychProf had to say -- I'll have to remember that in the future.

[KaplanMultimedia]

You did a terrific job with this series of images. I'm glad no one apparently was hurt.

[SRPhotographic]

Wonderful PJ images! Never thought of the police scanner... wonder where I could pick up one of those...

Anyway, I thought I would have a stab at Image #3 since nobody has yet. I created a channel mixer layer and balanced the red and green channels. Then I used a levels layer to get the contrast how I liked it. Then I made a duplicate layer to which I added 5px. gaussian blur with soft light blending mode. I then added a little bit of noise to give it a real PJ b&w feel. Added the border with the drop shadow and Viola! Hope you like it, probably not everyone's personal tastes, but I like it. Here it is:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v607/Racaryu/Image%20Edits%20-%20NOT%20MY%20PHOTOS/Picture240web.jpg

[rickydiver]

Hi I like your shots they are very good, previous comments are true the local fire house would love to get a copy of them, I would love to have had some of the shots I have seen taken of me at fires I have attended, handed in to our station. I have been promised on numerous occasions and never actually had a copy of any handed in! We even posed for one photog on one occasion so he could get a great shot, did he hand the photos in as promised did he heck:cry: Have always had to buy copies from the local press if I have wanted them:(
Only thing about your series is I dont see any flames? Did you arrive late? It looks like the fireys are venting the building in most of the shots and not actually fighting the fire? Only my observations though. I appreciate that through the Press people in distressing situations have their photo taken and published, but I have a thing about posting the type of shot on here with the guy on the stretcher, yeah he may not have been hurt in the fire but I doubt he will ike the thought of being posted on the www. (http://www.I) I really like the shots you have posted though and these are only my opinions ;)
Ricky

[Mates]

Wow !! B&W is so great !! Nice shots.

[rudgej]

A great serious of shots, and like several people have said, number 3 is the bees knees!

[Balliolman]

Certainly dramatic ...

[shakin360]

Hi I like your shots they are very good, previous comments are true the local fire house would love to get a copy of them, I would love to have had some of the shots I have seen taken of me at fires I have attended, handed in to our station. I have been promised on numerous occasions and never actually had a copy of any handed in! We even posed for one photog on one occasion so he could get a great shot, did he hand the photos in as promised did he heck:cry: Have always had to buy copies from the local press if I have wanted them:(
Only thing about your series is I dont see any flames? Did you arrive late? It looks like the fireys are venting the building in most of the shots and not actually fighting the fire? Only my observations though. I appreciate that through the Press people in distressing situations have their photo taken and published, but I have a thing about posting the type of shot on here with the guy on the stretcher, yeah he may not have been hurt in the fire but I doubt he will ike the thought of being posted on the www. (http://www.I) I really like the shots you have posted though and these are only my opinions ;)
Ricky
I am in the process of sorting through all 350 shots from the fire. Then I will do a little PP and burn then on a disc and bring em over to the station. I only live a couple blocks away. I think I'll print out a few 4x6s of the best ones and bring them too.

By the time I got there there we no flames. I was on the other side of town and it took about 10 minutes to get there from when the call went out. I did get there before they closed the road down. But the fire station is very close to the location of the fire. Good job by the FD to put the fire out so quickly.

The picture of the man on the stretcher was posted to show the ones that I wish would have turned out better. The picture in the paper was the guy on the stretcher shot from the other side. After reading your comment I decided to remove those pics.

Thanks for the positive comments.:)

[Degar71]

Shakin360... Great shots... I love the first one with the insulation floating down... and I give the firefighters in the second shot credit for fighting a 2 1/2" hose up a ladder... Trust me, that is very heavy...

I agree with the previous posts. Just knock on the door and be respectful. Residents are always welcome in my firehouse. In the last year, we have had a local resident take interest in our fire fighting activities. He has shown up at many of our fires and we gave him credentials, so he could get on the scenes without the police blocking his way. We gave them to him only once he showed continued interest (about six months of work) and provided copies of the photos.

Also, if you are interested in building a rapport, offer to shoot their drills also. Then, they will have the time to chat with you and get to know you, building their trust of you. Our new photographer is well respected in my firehouse. And many of his photos have been made into posters as well as been used in critiques of our activities.

Good luck and with continued interest you will be welcomed into the brotherhood...

[DwightMcCann]

Nice ... small town? Their equipment looks a little bedraggled. Fires are sad ... do they have strong smoke alarm laws there? We have them here. My new house must have one in each bedroom, loft at head of stairway, each bathroom and a couple in hallways. And they are LOUD!

[shakin360]

Not too small, about 93,000 people in the city. It was sad. The one pic of the guy in the window you can see a burnt up bunk bed, obviously a kids room. Also, I took some shots of people looking in the one window, maybe the renters. I can't imagine this happening to my home.

[shakin360]

Here is the picture from the newspaper. I like mine better! :D

I plan on going in tomorrow to the station to drop off the disc and a few prints. I might ask them what other stations were there so I can give them copies too. I started with 350 and ended up with 73 shots that I'm giving em. I made a little back cover for the cd case with my name and logo on it along with contact info. I said if they want some large prints or some B&W to get a hold of me.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a137/actke/paper.jpg

[Scotty878]

I really like numbers 3 & 6! Great DOF on 3 and nice color on 6!

[mikegoat]

I like em all but I think 5 is the shot from a journalism perspective. It has action and tension and tells you a bit about what these guys were doing. Good job!

[Dandyday]

Great pictures...

[shakin360]

Dropped the rest of the discs off yesterday and recieved this email last night. ( I left out his name)

"Thank you very much for dropping off the photo CD at Station #1. Your photographs were of excellent quality and format, something not always seen when people take “pictures”! Feel free to stop by so I can place a face with the work. I was the Battalion Chief you photographed that day but did not get a chance to meet. My next work day is Saturday. We work 24 hours straight and then are off for the next 48. I am stationed at the City Hall Firestation. Drop a note or stop by if you get a chance!

Thanks again,

Johnny Firefighter

Battalion Chief, KFD"

I don't know why, but I keep reading the email. I feel like I did something good. I think I'm going to stop down there on saturday to meet the guy.

[Mills]

Dropped the rest of the discs off yesterday and recieved this email last night. ( I left out his name)

"Thank you very much for dropping off the photo CD at Station #1. Your photographs were of excellent quality and format, something not always seen when people take “pictures”! Feel free to stop by so I can place a face with the work. I was the Battalion Chief you photographed that day but did not get a chance to meet. My next work day is Saturday. We work 24 hours straight and then are off for the next 48. I am stationed at the City Hall Firestation. Drop a note or stop by if you get a chance!

Thanks again,

Johnny Firefighter

Battalion Chief, KFD"

I don't know why, but I keep reading the email. I feel like I did something good. I think I'm going to stop down there on saturday to meet the guy.

Nice Job!

[skyphix]

Just stumbled on this - phenomenal job on all of them, but number 3 is absolutely my favorite. I'd be honored to have it hanging on my wall.

[Michaelmjc]

Shakin360, it looks great in B&W.. The second I saw it I knew that had to be changed, great shots.

[shakin360]

Just stumbled on this - phenomenal job on all of them, but number 3 is absolutely my favorite. I'd be honored to have it hanging on my wall.
Shakin360, it looks great in B&W.. The second I saw it I knew that had to be changed, great shots.

Thanks! :D It is my favorite for sure. I'm going to get it blown up for myself. I'm thinking about 16x24 with a nice gallery style frame with white matte w/black core.

Could I sell this photo without a release since you can't see faces or would I have to get rid of the names? Anybody know?

[Tlee05]

3 is amazing! well done look foward to seeing more of your work.

[shakin360]

Thanks for all the great comments. Went and met the battalion chief that was there the day of the fire. He was a real nice guy, invited me into his office and said how much all the guys liked the pics. He showed me a few that they took before I got there (they carry a point and shoot with them). The flames were pretty amazing. I'll see if he'll email me a pic. I wish I had gotten there earlier.