It breathes, it eats, and it hates.

[Shivpics]

Hi guys and gals...this is my first time posting pics here at POTN. Your thoughts are appreciated. Please C&C.

I went to bed on December 24th, 2004 (at my in-laws) expecting to wake up sometime after the sun came up on Christmas morning. At about 3:00 am, my father-in-law (city police officer - night shift) called my cell phone with the news of a major fire at a local funeral home. Naturally, the adrenalin began flowing immediately...I grabbed my father-in-law's Digital Rebel and out the door I went.

On scene, I had an all access pass. These are some of the shots that I got that night...

Through the Door
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2383/2266531084_413fa9ea4b_o.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Stop: 5.6
ISO: 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60

Hose Team
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2367/2265740691_175e42e221_o.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Stop: 5.6
ISO: 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60

Heavy Water
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2228/2265740533_58e35b9134_o.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Stop: 5.6
ISO: 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60

On the Comm
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2337/2265740387_2d8c9a4e1d_o.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Stop: 4.0
ISO: 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60

(Please note that I have not done any processing on these.)

[lmulderi]

These are intense. Nice shots. What lens was used and what's the EXIF info?

[Paul Tinworth]

Smashing series! Just goes to prove that you don't need a hugely expensive set-up to get great shots.

Good on you for getting up at that time in the morning, too! ;)

[Shivpics]

Thanks guys...I appreciate the comments. :D EXIF info has been edited in my original post. It's been four years since this happened and I was using my father-in-law's gear, I don't remember what lens I was using. :oops: I know it was a Tokina, though.

I'm adding two more here. They're not really my favorites, but they do give you a sense of scale. This building was old, huge, and sat on a corner. There was a lot going on over on the other side.

Tough Job
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2313/2267029776_da7d1bc038_o.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Stop: 4.0
ISO: 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60

Closed For Business
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/2267029952_75aed72f6d_o.jpg
Exposure Time: 1/60
F-Stop: 5.0
ISO: 1600
Shutter Speed: 1/60

[GRODY]

i like the first and fifth.. awesome.. could make a good photo illustration piece

[Shivpics]

i like the first and fifth.. awesome.. could make a good photo illustration piece

Thanks Grody...that's not a bad idea.

[fireman93514]

Great shots, the first three are my favorites.

[Shivpics]

Great shots, the first three are my favorites.

Thanks! What is it about the first three that you like?

[Mike-DT6]

Nice series of shots and lucky you got the chance to photograph it all happening.

What happened to the building? Did they pull it down?

Mike

:-)

[Shivpics]

Nice series of shots and lucky you got the chance to photograph it all happening.

What happened to the building? Did they pull it down?

Mike

:-)

Thanks Mike. It was a total benefit of being married to the daughter of local law enforcement. :) Yeah...the building was a total loss. It's a parking lot now. Too bad, too. It was really old. It was a suspicious fire, in case anyone was wondering.

[BottomBracket]

Awesome photos. The fire does seem to be alive. Thanks for sharing.

[3Turner]

Great set. Thanks for sharing.

[wu_wei0]

stunning set!

[short5]

Good photojournalism!

[Shivpics]

Thanks to all for your comments! I really appreciate it. I might post some more from that night. There are others you might enjoy. :D

EDIT: Adding a few others...

In Close
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2030/2270645752_45ce0fdcaf_o.jpg
Exposure: 1/60
Aperture: f/3.5
ISO Speed: 1600

Iced Controls
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2215/2269853757_e2b354ef61_o.jpg
Exposure: 1/60
Aperture: f/8
ISO Speed: 1600

In Conference
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2335/2269854005_01fc1f610e_o.jpg
Exposure: 1/60
Aperture: f/4.5
ISO Speed: 1600

Ice Men
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2270646604_84b275ec66_o.jpg
Exposure: 1/60
Aperture: f/5
ISO Speed: 1600

[Hennessy]

Great shots! Goes to show you that even at ISO 1600, you can get great photos! :)

[fireman93514]

Thanks! What is it about the first three that you like?
#1 shows action with the FF in the doorway. Light enough to se some detail.
#2 also shows the FF more siilouetted With a good water stream going in throgh the window.
#3 I always enjoy arial ladder shots because I worked on a ladder truck for a long time.

Altogether a nice series of fireground shots.

[Shivpics]

#1 shows action with the FF in the doorway. Light enough to se some detail.
#2 also shows the FF more silhouetted With a good water stream going in throgh the window.
#3 I always enjoy arial ladder shots because I worked on a ladder truck for a long time.

Altogether a nice series of fireground shots.

Thanks again. I've never been part of a fire dept, but I have always liked the ladder trucks. I saw that you posted on jonnythan's thread Emergency services (also: who's afraid of ISO 1600?), too. He had some really cool ladder truck shots over there.

[JawsofLife252]

Great shots, I hate fighing fire in cold weather, I froze to a bumper once when I rested for a moment outside a fire.

Good job.

[Shivpics]

Great shots, I hate fighing fire in cold weather, I froze to a bumper once when I rested for a moment outside a fire.

Good job.

Thanks Jaws...these guys really gave it their all in the bitter cold. I think two other towns showed up to assist, as well. In the wee hours of the morning, they had to have fuel delivered for the trucks so they could keep running and pumping.

[Shivpics]

I don't want to beat a dead horse (and please tell me if I am), but in looking over all the shots that I took on this night there were two that just baffle me. You just have to love firefighters.

Smoke Break 1
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2395/2275818373_4f3a1a6613_o.jpg
Exposure: 1/60
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO Speed: 1600

Smoke Break 2
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2276610520_c0f1fc4978_o.jpg
Exposure: 1/60
Aperture: f/5.6
ISO Speed: 1600

[Paul Tinworth]

Irony is a beautiful thing. :lol:

[Mullins]

Big fire needs big water...


Nice series. Not very many people get to be that close on the fire ground :D

[Shivpics]

@ Paul - Ain't that the truth! :D

@ Mullins - Thanks! I've been lucky. I've covered 3 fires up close like this. No fatalities in any of them, either!