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View Full Version : Into the fire!

Brad Remick
1st of March 2007 (Thu), 16:34
I have been photographing for a long time but have recently been involved in firefighting. Here are two interesting - to me at least- pics from inside a building. The first shows a hose team using the water to ventilate a burning room. The second is of them entering the burning building.

I have been struggling with the technical aspects of overcoming the darkness, heat and most significantly steam in these efforts. Using a flash doesn't work well because of all the smoke (think of high beams in fog) + the reflective strips of our bunker gear tends to cause the rest of the subject to be too dark. When i push the ISO to over 400, the pictures become very grainy.

While I have two nice DSLRs (A 5D and Rebel XTi) these were taken with a Canon SD-800is in a waterproof housing. I'm not quite ready to risk the DSLRs without a housing. I'm saving for one but they are pretty steep in price.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks for looking.
Brad Remick
1st of March 2007 (Thu), 16:43
Here are two more.
Thanks for looking.
sm1rf
1st of March 2007 (Thu), 16:54
very atmospheric especially #2, advice, save up and get a waterproof housing for the 5d, which as i'm sure you'll know has outragously good ISO performance at 1600
wesuggs
1st of March 2007 (Thu), 17:42
wow
Brad Remick
2nd of March 2007 (Fri), 07:06
Thanks. How does the G7 do at the higher ISOs? I think I can pick up one of these w/housing for far less then just the housing for the 5D.
jediforce4ever
2nd of March 2007 (Fri), 07:22
haha...great moments!!

How bout a 1D body?thats sealed and safe enough to bring in :)
Richtherookie
2nd of March 2007 (Fri), 08:51
Love #2 and #4, if there was a way to get rid of the "ghosting" (??) of the helmet area that would help also, great shots, if i could use someones else camera i would try some shots from the inside too!
calicokat
2nd of March 2007 (Fri), 08:53
#2 is awesome, nice captures
Miniflash
2nd of March 2007 (Fri), 09:28
awesome shots ~
shaunknee
2nd of March 2007 (Fri), 12:45
On a rare occasion I'll take out an old point and shoot from my pocket. I know I'm pushing my luck with that. Don't you think a 5D and case would interfere with offensive interior operations?
Brad Remick
2nd of March 2007 (Fri), 12:58
A 5D with case would certainly be awkward to carry in. Since I only take the interior with permission from the chief (I wouldn't do anything to interfere w/ interior ops), I'd have to get special dispensation not to carry anything else in. The 800is in it's case fits nicely inside my pants pocket.
Mills
3rd of March 2007 (Sat), 16:09
For me, the grain works. I think these images are great. Think about what your eyea are seeing inside with the smoke, steam and water. It's not grainy but it is certainly clear.
Brad Remick
3rd of March 2007 (Sat), 16:18
Mills,
Thank you very much. Quite a compliment coming from you. I love your site!
Titus213
3rd of March 2007 (Sat), 22:54
Nice stuff. You've captured the essence of firefighting I think. The grain doesn't bother me at all, adds to it IMO.

Perhaps a full water proof housing isn't needed. I've seen the plastic flexible bags for rain protection that might work and be much less expensive and bulky than full water proof housings.
Mills
3rd of March 2007 (Sat), 23:51
Mills,
Thank you very much. Quite a compliment coming from you. I love your site!

Thank you very much.
DJCRAZYACE
4th of March 2007 (Sun), 01:25
I really like the #2, she shaddow is pretty nice and how the door kinda glows.
Bulldawg534
5th of March 2007 (Mon), 19:28
I have been photographing for a long time but have recently been involved in firefighting. Here are two interesting - to me at least- pics from inside a building. The first shows a hose team using the water to ventilate a burning room. The second is of them entering the burning building.

I have been struggling with the technical aspects of overcoming the darkness, heat and most significantly steam in these efforts. Using a flash doesn't work well because of all the smoke (think of high beams in fog) + the reflective strips of our bunker gear tends to cause the rest of the subject to be too dark. When i push the ISO to over 400, the pictures become very grainy.

While I have two nice DSLRs (A 5D and Rebel XTi) these were taken with a Canon SD-800is in a waterproof housing. I'm not quite ready to risk the DSLRs without a housing. I'm saving for one but they are pretty steep in price.

Any advice would be appreciated.
Thanks for looking.

Nice Pics... I just ran them through to reduce the noise...
mdmedicgod
7th of March 2007 (Wed), 20:09
Not Hijacking the thread with my images. These interiors were shot with the 20D inside with the nifty fifty and high ISO. I just wanted to show that you could take your xt or 5d in safely with commen sense.

my shooting partner and his D70s
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Skydogs/pocomokeburn72.jpg

getting ready to ignite
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Skydogs/pocomokesmall83.jpg

Free Burn
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Skydogs/pocomokesmall76.jpg

attack
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v471/Skydogs/Copy2ofpocomokesmall70.jpg