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It was tough to choose photos last night since most of them shared the same characteristics: high contrast with an angle. Years ago, I would have misused the curves, contrast, and burn tools to get this result (would've been obvious). Had to learn things the hard way, of course.
I've learned a lot about how to work with/around the lights of emergency response vehicles. My camera always latches on to white lights, so I try to use a person to blot them out. That gives the other lights (red/orange/blue), which bounce off of water and smoke, more dominance.
This requires a lot of shuffling around on the ground, which can make people nervous since they don't understand that I'm using them to blot out a light. Also, although I try to be respectful of the space folks need to operate, there's always someone who wants me to go elsewhere.
There is one particular person who likes to flex the muscle at fire scenes. I rarely see them but when I do, they send me down the street. Once, they sent me to the next street, which is where I found a way to get on the roof of a building next to the building that was on fire.
My point is that the formula for colorful photographs of fire scenes isn't too difficult but, in the end, it all comes down to whether people are comfortable with your presence. In many cases, I hang back and use the puddles to reflect fire activity because that's all I can do.
In other cases, even when I apply respectful distance because there isn't any caution tape, someone will flex. Once, in the Southwestern District, a firefighter said he might have to confiscate my camera and then suggested the cops would take it after I questioned the legalities.
That's people for you. If they think you don't know any better, then they'll take advantage of that. It's a tale as old as time. True as it can be.
Barely even friends.
Then somebody bends.
Unexpectedly.
You get what I'm saying.
I really do despise Disney love tales though.
Barely even friends.
Then somebody bends.
Unexpectedly.
You get what I'm saying.
I really do despise Disney love tales though.
Tweets ≠ we're friends and we can talk about what Disney movies you like now.
And of course, even when there is caution tape, someone may express concern. A firefighter at the site of this underground fire asked me if I was crazy and made me move across the street even though I was respecting the boundary of the caution tape. In retrospect, that was fair.
So, just like with anything else in life, you have to gauge your environment. Find a way to blot out the white light. Use the street or your knees as a tripod. Shuffle around on the ground if that's what it takes to keep your subject in the right spot.
There will be bad experiences but keep trying until the right set of circumstances arise. It's like Katt Williams said: All real mother fuckers is only waiting on one opportunity and that's the opportunity to show a mother fucker they ain't bullshitting. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/xcazae
