Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by andrea22_als:

Originally posted by L0nz: Do you have any out-takes for us to check out?

Actually I don't have any out-takes. I was playing around with different shutter speeds with the flames on shutter priority, letting the aperture be on auto. Just happened to get lucky that the firefighter happened to stepped into the frame. Had one chance and then there was other stuff between us.

Thanks again to all for all the wonderful comments! :D

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by L0nz:
Surely Sandy you're not saying that people shouldn't be allowed to give their constructive criticism just because most other people think this photo is perfect? I don't see any negative comments that aren't constructive in some way. Everyone wants to improve, right?

I like it but it's by no means technically perfect. I think the lack of sharpness could easily have been averted by using a sensible aperture, I just can't see why F40 is required. It's common knowledge that non-L lenses struggle with sharpness at the far ends of the aperture range, especially telephoto lenses. Several stops more open would still give a long DOF, and would also have meant that the extreme ISO and slow shutter speed wouldn't be necessary. It might even be interesting to go really open and have a shallow DOF, making the fireman in focus and let the bokeh work on the flames. Do you have any out-takes for us to check out?

However, I love the composition and the timing of the capture. Congratulations on a crazy high score :P

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by SandyP:
Wow! I'm amazed at 2 things. One. . .this amazing photo. What great timing and opportunity to be in the right place at the right time to capture such a moving photo. The firefighter -- even silhouetted -- looks like he is looking down, defeated and overcome with the magnitude of what he is trying to do. It is great photojournalism and worthy of top honors!

But the 2nd thing I'm amazed at is that people would use THIS forum, in your moment of incredible accomplishment and victory to criticize your photo! Grrrrrrrrrr. . . .I want to smack a couple of people!

MEGA CONGRATULATIONS! 8.0485!!! And deserving of every fraction of a point of it!!!!!!

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by lynnmarie:
Great to see someone from western Kansas do so well on this site!
Don't worry about the negative comments after the challenge. This is a photo to be proud of.

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by aimeethetoo:
WOW!! Congratulations on your ribbon and such a whopping score!! Why mess with those pesky 6's & 7's? Just move straight on to the 8's!!! Very nice.

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by JudeLeo:
truly marvelous!!

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by hotpasta:
Congrats on your first blue and a PB Andrea...great drama, AMAZING SCORE!!!

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by jlanoue:
It's a great image, I hope you can get a print to the station from which this firefighter is from. Well deserved blue!

Firefighter
by andrea22_als

Comment by DaveMac:
Congrats on your first Blue. Well deserved.

Columbine
by andrea22_als

Comment by Ivory:
I like the softness, just put simply makes this a very pretty shot.