Brenda Fishbaugh, QPSA
October 2025 - Fire Fighters
Original
About the Image(s)
September's KelbyOne Year 2 project was to photograph a group shot. We studied Annie Leibowitz's style of triple groupings and were to emulate that style, as she gets $500,000 per image.
I approached a local firehouse who had just gotten their first ladder truck. They agreed and I put their backs to the light and over-exposed, so they were bright.
My plan was to make it a more exciting image by adding a reflection, add water to the fire hose, and do a sky replacement.
Happily, it was voted 2nd place out of 27 images by 58 of my classmates. We have 80 classmates, but only 1/3 of our class completed this month's assignment, as its tough to find cooperative models who will let you pose them differently than a "line-up".
I'm going to print it on metal for the firehouse, and small metal ones for the "models" after I get suggestions from y'all.
Canon R5II, Canon RF 24-105 lens, ISO 800, 24mm, f/11, 1/125 sec.
14 comments posted
I really like this group photo of the firefighters! It's very well composed, and everyone is placed perfectly with great posture. Adding the water flow and the reflection was a really nice touch, especially since you're planning to share it with the station and the team. My only small comment is about the reflection-the front of the truck and the water stream don't quite show up properly. A little extra work there would make it look even better. Posted: 10/03/2025 03:22:27
Thanks! I did not catch the water reflection, I did the reflection before I added the water. I'll work on that! Posted: 10/04/2025 01:02:29
I think this is a really nice composition. It's obvious you have put a lot of work into it. That said I do have some comments.
First, you have vegetation floating in the air. This should have been corrected by metering on the sky rather than the fire truck. The result is that the sky is over exposed. It's easier to fix a dark area then an over exposed area. I've submitted a sample of what I'm talking about below. Or maybe you did a sky replacement which can cause 'floating vegetation'.
Second, the reflection doesn't match the subject. Look at the front end of the truck and it's reflection. Posted: 10/03/2025 18:34:22
First, you have vegetation floating in the air. This should have been corrected by metering on the sky rather than the fire truck. The result is that the sky is over exposed. It's easier to fix a dark area then an over exposed area. I've submitted a sample of what I'm talking about below. Or maybe you did a sky replacement which can cause 'floating vegetation'.
Second, the reflection doesn't match the subject. Look at the front end of the truck and it's reflection. Posted: 10/03/2025 18:34:22
Hi Ed, it is a sky replacement. I do mention that in my comments. I got rid of the floating vegetation, plugged some bright holds in the trees. Let me know if I got them all.
I'm going to work on the water reflection and I'll repost once I've handled that part. Posted: 10/04/2025 01:04:30
I'm going to work on the water reflection and I'll repost once I've handled that part. Posted: 10/04/2025 01:04:30
It looks really good. I have to look really hard to find anything that I remotely see as a problem with the reflection. Maybe there is a small amount at the rear of the truck, Posted: 10/08/2025 03:40:25
Your photos are so well-composed, and you've really put your heart into the post-processing-you're a true pro! Posted: 10/04/2025 21:12:58
Thanks! So appreciated! I am enjoying the challenge! Other than the reflection of the hose water I need to add, is there anything else you would recommend? Posted: 10/05/2025 18:28:53
If you want to be precise about the reflection, I assumed you could try to cut out the upper portion you want to show the reflection and flip it over and see what it would look like and see what was missing or misplaced. Posted: 10/06/2025 17:59:46
Very nice idea for the group. Adding the water for a reflection was a good idea, but as noticed by others, the front of the truck is not properly reflected. The arc of the water leaving the nozzle, feels like it is dribbling out of the hose. With two firefighters handling the hose as though the water is under high pressue, make the water shoot straight out of the nozzle as though it will go 100 feet instead of 15 feet. Posted: 10/06/2025 16:45:37
I agree the water could be better. I spent a couple of hours trying to buy a water hose "brush" to lay down water, use AI to create fire water hoses, etc and no luck. I will have them fire off the real hose next time. Posted: 10/07/2025 01:31:40
I agree the water could be better. I spent a couple of hours trying to buy a water hose "brush" to lay down water, use AI to create fire water hoses, etc and no luck. I will have them fire off the real hose next time. Posted: 10/07/2025 20:12:30
I fixed the truck front reflection. The water reflection actually wouldn't show, based on where it shows up above the tire in this crop. But I changed it a bit so it shows up a little.
Posted: 10/07/2025 01:21:50
Posted: 10/07/2025 01:21:50
Shouldn't each element of the reflection lie on a straight line from the actual element to your camera? In your construction of the reflection, you have placed the elements on lines perpendicular to the truck rather than all angled toward the camera. You could work some more on the reflection of the water out of the hose. Also, instead of letting the stream of water arc downward, can't you let it shoot straight out of the nozzle? Posted: 10/07/2025 16:51:04
I had my comments all set to go and then read everyone else's - which I agree with. My only remaining comment is that I would prefer to see more of the reflection and less of the tress at the top. Also, the people are too posed looking at you, maybe next time have a couple looking sideways? Posted: 10/08/2025 22:39:49