Helping Hand

[DEAN01]

On May 31st our area was hit by rain and hail storms, and three tornados--two EF1s and an EF0. Lots of property damage, but no major injuries. The two photos I am posting have nothing to do with the photography,-- as the old news photographer's adage says "f/8 and be there" -- but rather the fact that members of our volunteer fire department left their families and properties to help others in the area. It great to know there are such people.

[rpcrowe]

I have to differ with you when you state, "The two photos I am posting have nothing to do with the photography"

I think both images are excellent examples of news photography and the second image certainly has all the aspects of a really good image of any venue

The nearest firefighter carrying the child immediately catches my eye and the orange safety rope leads my eye back to the other firefighter carrying the second child...

[Urbanflyer]

Just because you didn't have to go high tech--lighting--careful dof and compensation adjustments--to get the shot does not diminish the value of your good eye and a great story. +1 to what Richard said! And thank you for your appreciation of those that serve our communities.

[KimC]

In my opinion, good photography is much more than technicals; a meaningful image must tell a story or spark an emotion or feeling... both of which these do.

[DEAN01]

Richard, Judith, and Kim,
Thank you for your comments.

[Mike Buckley]

Agreed with all of the above!

[flashback]

Dean, you got pictures of firemen doing what they signed up for, you can never go wrong with that. Great shots, print out some copies and drop em off at the house, firemen LOVE to see pics of themselves working.

Couple of safety pointers: even though sometimes civilians want to help they need to understand that the ropes are attached to the two firemen and importantly, there are firefighters on the OTHER end of the ropes, to keep the guys from being washed away. Secondly you often get power lines down and you may not be aware that around a corner or out of sight a power line could be arcing in the water (typically the highest line on a pole is high voltage, to the tune of up to 23,000 volts). That could have a really bad outcome. In areas with city sewers besides the fact that the waters can get quickly contaminated from raw sewage, heavy rains and flooding can lift and move manhole covers. You won't know that until you sink down into one.

I'd try and adjust the WB or whatever to make #1 look the same as #2, because seeing the family in the windows and then the kids being carried out, that's the story right there. Balance the colors, print, frame and give it to the boys for firehouse (catch them on a drill night and if it's hot out, buy em some ice cream, I'm just sayin...(and thanks for appreciating your vollies, that's about 78% of all firefighters right there)

[Shadowman]

It puts me in awe every time I see the results of the flooding, I have a friend who moved to the Houston area about a year ago and am constantly checking to see if she is alright. Nice captures of the devastation.

[IzzieK]

These two images breaks my heart...it is good photojournalism. I agree with everyone's comments here...and I can't add anymore to them.

BTW, how are your horses going? Were they safe? I checked on one of members here and he said he is OK...and his internet is back so I am happy for him.

[DEAN01]

Thank you for commenting, Mike!

Jack, I did take the fire fighters a bunch of prints and a CD. I was on top of a Army surplus two-and-half truck, so little chance of me getting into the water.

John, I understand your concern for your friend. In 2002 we were washed of the road by a wall of water--true flash flood, people who had lived in the area for 50 years had never seen such--and waited seven hours for a helicopter to get us out since we were not in immediate danger. Many were in much worse conditions than we were.

Izzie, The horses are doing very well; when the storm hit they were snug in their barn. We did not get the flooding that many people got, but did get a lot of hail damage on the roof and our truck.

[flashback]

Okay Dean now you need to explain how you ended up in the back of deuce and a half? Sounds like there's a story there.

[Rita]

I agree with what everyone else has said here. You have captured something special with these images. The looks on the faces of the people in the window says a great deal. In the second image the way the little girl is hanging on to her rescuer like she will never let go speaks volumes. These are images that speak without using words.

[Sergio M.]

Awesome shots, Dean. These photos certainly embody your tag line by Edward Steichen. It's great these folks were out there doing what they do, but you were also there documenting it.

Sergio

[DEAN01]

Okay Dean now you need to explain how you ended up in the back of deuce and a half? Sounds like there's a story there.

Jack, The rural VFDs around here often use the deuce and a half as brush trucks--300+ gallon tanks and pumps added--for getting into the areas covered in cactus and mesquite. The six-by has better ground clearance than the modern brush trucks and was ideal for evacuating the family.

[DEAN01]

Thank you Rita and Sergio!

[Rebel]

These are very emotive shots Dean, well captured.

The first image sent shivers up my spine! I'm ashamed to admit I am ignorant of the situation there as I barely get time to keep up with the news at the moment - but thanks for sharing, I will read up on this.

[Donald]

I was just rehearsing my reply as I looked at Dean's opening comments and images. Then I scrolled down and saw that Richard had already said it.

I have to differ with you when you state, "The two photos I am posting have nothing to do with the photography"

I think both images are excellent examples of news photography and the second image certainly has all the aspects of a really good image of any venue