The photographer is looking for thoughtful feedback on the image as a whole, especially around the areas noted below.
Feedback Focus: Artistic + Technical
About This Image
On October 1st 2019, I had the opportunity to photograph a controlled burn at a local prair1e where I’ve been volunteering for the last 28 years. Unfortunately, by October 1st we’d already had our first fall rain, so the burn was not a very good one, but it did give me a chance to get some interesting images.
Background: There were originally 160,000 acres of prairies in the south Puget Sound (now Salish Sea) region. There are only a few thousand left, the best of which are in the artillery impact range on Joint Base Lewis-McChord where they get burned frequently. After the glaciers receded, the first nations maintained the prairies for food production by periodic burning. With the advent of settlement, they’ve been mostly plowed under, paved over, overgrown with forest, or covered by invasive plants. Thirty years ago when restoration was started on this 1000 acre parcel it was covered by Scotch Broom (an invasive in our area). Now through controlled burns, steady work by a very small paid crew and uncounted volunteer hours, it’s the jewel of prairies in this area.
Feedback Requested
I’m trying to convey what it might feel like to work a burn like this.
Technical Details
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Lens: EF70-200mm f/4L IS USM
Focal length: 200mm
Shutter speed: 1/1600s
Aperture: f/11
ISO: 1000
Brings back memories of my time as a fire fighter. Our local volunteer departments would work with CalFire to conduct control burns of pastureland to eliminate invasive plants and promote improved grass growth. All participants got to lay down fire with drip torches and then extinguish the fire using direct attack with hose lays or mobile attack with engines.
I have been assigned to several really large fires, and on several occasions, we had to set backfires to protect property and limit the size of the fire until we could contain it and then mop-up. Things sometimes got real exciting!
Dennis, I like that you’ve got a smidgen of fire at the bottom of the frame, that adds a lot to the smokey view of the fire “fighters”. A thorough job of storytelliing. On a boat trip through the Gates of the Mountains in Montana last spring, we were shown the location (and told the story) of the Mann Gulch Fire, which was where the idea of using backfires was first applied.
Hi Dennis, I have never witnessed a burn, but in my imagination this is what it would look like! I like the bit of fire at the bottom and the heavy smoke only adds to the mood. Kudos to the brave men and women who volunteer or do this for a living as it is a perilous job. BTW, the image absolutely tells a story as does the accompanying article. Beautifully done.
Dennis: Many years ago I was on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon a couple of days before the North rim closed for the season. A controlled burn was going on but the campground was still open and accessible. The burn created some very interesting possibilities under the full moon when the smoke settled into the canyon. The last night of the season I was literally the only person in the campground. Kind of eerie but what an experience. Your image really jogged my memory of that time. Very nicely done. >=))>
Wow, @Bill_Fach – that is wonderful!! It’s fascinating how the smoke settled into the lower terrain at night. Guess that’s what passes for ground fog in a dry climate!
What a strong image! Echoing what everyone else has already said, the flames at the bottom make the image active and the smoke adds a heaviness. Impactful image!
Wow Dennis this is a powerful, hard hitting image. I live in Oregon and we have so many fires burning it breaks my heart. I keep thinking of the people out there on the line and your photo puts you right there.
Well done.
Alice Wilson
The rains gave you a nice smoky scene for photography. I think that this tells the story that prairies need fire to reset the succession and remove exotic weeds. The touch of fire at the bottom of the frame fits into the comp perfectly and the firefighters appearing in the smoke provides the “control” necessary for a good burn. I find this one fine as presented and certainly worthy of that EP–Congrats. Great shot…Jim
Sorry I’m so late on this one, Dennis. How did I miss it. This is such a strong composition to go with a great story. As others have mentioned, the flames along the bottom are what tells the story. Without them, you have an idea but with them you know. I hope these firefighters have oxygen masks. I can’t tell but I hope so. What a great opportunity for you and good of you to volunteer there.
@David_Haynes They had oxygen available, but the smoke wasn’t as thick as this image makes it look. Most of that smoke was between me and them. However, they do come fully prepared. When they first started doing burns twenty-some years ago it was a pretty ad hoc operation, but now it’s a combination of several agencies and restoration crews all with wildfire certification and plenty of equipment and great leaders.
I would like to add some clarification on the use of breathing equipment by fire fighters.
Wildland fire fighters do not use SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus). These units are far too heavy and cumbersome to use in a wildfire environment and have a maximum of 30 minutes of air and maybe less under very strenuous conditions. They also use compressed air-not oxygen. Each unit costs approximately $3000-$4000.
SCBA are used for structural fire interior attack and search and rescue, as well as for hazardous materials incidents, aircraft and vehicle fires, among other uses where the atmosphere is dangerous.
Wildland fire fighters are required to wear a shroud that covers the nose and mouth to prevent inhaling particulates and to protect the airway from the heat. Goggles are required for eye protection. Ideally, a fire fighter would have their back to the wind so that smoke (and potentially flames) would be pushed away.
Once again, Dennis’ image is a great portrayal of working in hazardous conditions, even if it’s a control burn. The EP is well deserved!
-P
