The Fire! - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

08/21/2006 12:08:57 AM · #1

This challenge was a challenge to me from the start. I have a fear of fire and one thing I have learnt lately is to face the fears.
And that is what I have been doing with my work.

I came up with this idea and got many negative responses. Mainly because of my lung problems, people tried to stop me. But stubborn as I am, I refused to listen. On the Friday night we set up in the back yard. I had a few people over to help set the fire. But when I put Ricco into the center of the fire for the test shots, Ricco got out and refused to let me in there. He said the carbon monoxide would kill me. So the shoot was put off till the Sunday night.

Sunday night came and we all headed out to the quarry where the men built a large fire. I started to get my gear ready. I had my outfit on under a gown and wandered around in ugboots until I needed to change boots. Walking on heels in soft ground is not fun.

The sun started to set and the fire was lit. The men and I jumped into the middle for a quick photo. The heat was pretty extreme and sparks flying around us. My hubby is on the right.

I needed more light so had one car driven down into the quarry to light from one side while my car sat at the top of the quarry shining down into the scene.

I set the camera from one angle and fired off some test shots, then quickly jumped in whilst hubby sat on the remote listening for my instruction. The majority of the time I had to keep my eyes closed and open them just as I would call for the shot to be taken. The heat picked up and the smoke was blinding. I could only do a couple of shots at a time before getting out of there.

Eventually, I took the camera over to the other side of the fire and set up, so the cars would light the scene from behind. The smoke and heat was just as bad and by this stage my eyes were watering so bad I could barely see. I couldn't wipe the tears because of the makeup...which I knew was running down my face already. Even though the images show some breeze, there actually wasn't any due to the fact we were down in a quarry and it was a still night. We did notice due to the shape of the fire the smoke sucked inwards.

From here the lighting, smoke and fire was as I wanted....pretty much! So I started to work quickly and managed to get the shots I wanted. The people that were with me at the time also had their camera going (hence the shots added here), and I could here them getting excited as they were seeing the previews on their camera.

Here are some of the shots from my camera.

By the end of the night my eyes were pretty bad. I went through a Pizza drivethrough to get takeaway for dinner, only to be left there waiting too long. So with makeup streaming down my face I marched into the pizza shop...and did my nut. I left laughing at the amount of double takes I got from people in there. And just to show you why they did the doubletakes!!!

Here was my entry.

P.S. I know my entry was not everyones cup of tea....but it was my entry. And I am proud of what I achieved from this challenge...and I liked my entry. So thanks to all who gave me positive feedback in the way of comments and votes.

For the record....the smoke did cause me grief....the smoke got into my lungs (oh doh!!) and by Tuesday had completely lost my voice...not even a sound to be heard. Both lungs became infected but I am improving now. Would I do it again? Hell yeah...! I am not on this earth to wait around to die...I am here to live.

Message edited by author 2006-08-21 00:21:19.

Sunniee

Canon EOS-40D

08/21/2006 12:14:30 AM · #2

I think it was awesome, Judi! Thanks for the info on how you did it! I was wondering! Great job!

DeniseBernadette

Canon EOS-20D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/21/2006 12:17:36 AM · #3

Thanks for the info!

I loved it and I'm VERY surprised it didn't finish higher.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/21/2006 12:17:48 AM · #4

Oh, that's priceless! We have a new entry in the "craziest thing I ever did for a shot" sweepstakes...

R.

FireBird

08/21/2006 12:36:00 AM · #5

Nice image Judy, and I really liked the out takes. Please dispense with dancing in the fire from now on. The smoke does worse than infection. Your lung function could be perminently impaired.
I know because I love burning stuff in the fall. I have to be very careful because I've gone way too far before.

eckoe

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/21/2006 01:18:48 AM · #6

I thought that was you, DAMN.

I actually thought the major issue of the shot (and the outtakes) is that the smoke itself was a bit thick, and kinda gave it a greenish hue that I didn't really dig. Other than that, some very hot shots... (Yes, Pun slightly intended)

You really take the term "challenge" to heart...

violinist123

Canon EOS-6D

08/21/2006 01:27:34 AM · #7

Cool shot and thanks for the walk through. Was the 'crappy alien porno' comment what had you so worked up when voting started? For someone dancing around in the bowels of hell I'd have figured you for thicker skinned ;).

This shot reminds me of the band WASP from the 80's.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/21/2006 01:30:27 AM · #8

Thanks everyone for your comments and support.

Routerguy...yes that was the comment. I felt it was unnecessary and did report it although nothing got done about it. I am thick skinned...and whilst I am better than that person (I won't lower myself down to her level) I am concerned that people like her will attack others that aren't so thick skinned.

Valdo

Canon EOS-40D

08/21/2006 08:45:49 AM · #9

Very interesting and uh... risky ;) I reckon you smoked that day enough for a lifetime.

I really like outtakes 2 and 5, you always show alot of commitment with your pics, congrats for that.

Ivan

eschelar

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/21/2006 10:50:34 AM · #10

A heartwarming story of a photographer and her vision.

And some sexy boots :)

Well done girl!

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/21/2006 05:05:32 PM · #11

Thanks for your input. And wavelength....I understand what you said. But I am pleased there wasn't more smoke at the time...hahahaha!!

klstover

Panasonic DMC-FZ8

08/21/2006 05:11:52 PM · #12

You should be so proud of yourself for facing your fears with this challenge!!! I faced my fears through voting on the entries... your method was much more extreme!

GO YOU!!!!

Nuzzer

Canon EOS-7D

08/21/2006 05:17:25 PM · #13

Wow, what an effort. I sometimes feel a bit lazy when thinking about challenges (and it shows when the scores come in) but seeing the effort you put in here is amazing.

It's just a shame that there is not always a relationship between effort and votes.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/21/2006 05:34:37 PM · #14

Really, really nice work as usual Judi! I didn't vote in this one, but I like the feel of the series and the entry. I do like the green cast quite a bit, by the way. Gives an interesting "depth" in my opinion. Mostly, congrats on overcoming your fear to do this!! Way to go, girl!

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/21/2006 05:58:07 PM · #15

Originally posted by Judi:

Routerguy...yes that was the comment. I felt it was unnecessary and did report it although nothing got done about it. I am thick skinned...and whilst I am better than that person (I won't lower myself down to her level) I am concerned that people like her will attack others that aren't so thick skinned.

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about the comment, when I see she's only 18 years old. I can see where she's coming from, 'cuz I've seen enough of those trashy worse-than-B-movies to catch the reference :-) It may not have been delicately put, but it's not off-the-wall offensive as a comment either. Not in my opinion, anyway; your mileage may vary :-)

I saw one of the comments mentioned the title, and that causes me to chime in with some agreement there also; I suspect you would have actually done measurably better with this if you had not invoked the name of Satan. For example, had you called it "Mistress of the Flames"... A lot of people are probably somewhat put off by demonic connotations.

Still and all, hell of an effort and a truly startling shot :-)

Robt.

yanko

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Carl Zeiss 50mm ZE f/1.4 Planar T for Canon

08/21/2006 06:04:20 PM · #16

It's a good thing this was "just" a fire challenge and not nuclear. :P

I agree with wavelength about the tighter/closer crop. You're the star of the shot and we should see more of you. Still very impressive nonetheless. I wish there were more people like you entering the challenges. In other words more people who shoot FOR the challenges and not just submit client work that happens to match the challenge theme of the week.

buzzrock

Fujifilm X-M1

Fujifilm XC 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS

08/21/2006 06:11:35 PM · #17

Who is A. Pankhurst?

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

08/21/2006 06:12:47 PM · #18

Originally posted by buzzrock:

Who is A. Pankhurst?

One of my students. I got her permission to use her photos and said I would make sure her name was on them to show them as her photos....not mine.

ionyou

Fujifilm FinePix S602Z

08/21/2006 06:15:23 PM · #19

If it were me I would have tried to get the smoke to be more redish or maybe even blue instead of green. For me green just doesn't fit in with the concept of hell. Then again neither does blue, I just think it might look cool and might give it a try if I couldn't achieve red. But to each their own and good job accomplishing what you wanted and what you saw in your minds eye.

ajschel

Fujifilm FinePix X100S

08/21/2006 06:17:49 PM · #20

Wow, lots of respect for what you went through. I like the last outtake best, tighter cropped it would have been striking!