About the Image(s)

Cannon 1DX ??“ Canon 24-105 @ 82mm ??“- ISO 800 ??“ f4.5 - 1/25th second

A number of years ago I had the opportunity to photograph a training exercise for the Vail Valley Fire Department in Vail, CO. The firemen had been putting out smaller test fires fueled by various combustibles since about noon on a very warm August day. The final exercise was to extinguish a large man-made fire that would test the skills of the entire battalion. I took this shot at 7:24 PM and as you can see on the young firefighter’s face, he was exhausted and perhaps a bit despondent because as the battalion commander cried out, shortly after this shot was taken ??“ “OK guys, let’s pack it in, we lost this one.” It was a most interesting experience, and I gained a whole new appreciation for what these young men do as a matter of course. (sorry, no lady firefighters in this battalion)