Local fire yesterday--Old abandoned farmhouse

[Whoa_Nelly]

Got there when it was getting pretty much under control, but took some shots anyway.

[Whoa_Nelly]

1. Hmmmm... I think my shots beat the hell outta the local paper's photojounalist's

After the fire, I called the editor and was told to go ahead and send my pics in, even though they did have one of their photogs at the scene and would probably go with a photo from that.


Here's the paper's photo



Story:
Flames engulf abandoned house

Fire gutted an abandoned house along Lacey Boulevard west of 12th Avenue Tuesday afternoon.

The century-old structure, located just west of the former Photo Express building, caught fire shortly before 3 p.m. on its second floor and flames quickly spread.

Officials responding to the scene suspect that juveniles may have set the fire. The abandoned house was a popular hangout for kids in the area.
http://www.hanfordsentinel.com/articles/2006/12/20/breakingnews/breaking01.txt

Fire officials were expected to remain on the scene into the evening. More details will be in Wednesday's Sentinel. (Dec. 19, 2006, 4:30 p.m.)

[Blue_In_AK]

3. Oh, yeah, your pictures are MUCH better.

[Whoa_Nelly]

4. Thanks, Blue!

Local rag needs me...just doesn't know it yet :rofl:

[NV Whino]

5. That shot in the orchard

with the firefighters is great!

[Whoa_Nelly]

6. Thanks, NV

And to think, I was across from it at a double-laned boulevard....the local paper photog was on the scene. :eyes:

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Bummer -- but nice pix anyway. :)

[JeffR]

7. No comparison

The paper's photo is pretty laughable compared with yours.

And I agree with NV, the orchard shot is outstanding.

[Whoa_Nelly]

8. Thank you, Jeff!

:hi: :loveya:

[F.Gordon]

9. Whoa_Nelly (AP)

:hi:

The last one probably would not qualify as a "journalistic" photo but it sure is damn awesome. Love the framing by the trees.

[Whoa_Nelly]

12. Hey, F. Gordon!

Am going to keep trying re: getting better journalistic style photos when I can.

Meanwhile, I just can't help myself in spotting the photo opportunities for framing artistic shots.

Thanks for the compliment! :hi:

[NashVegas]

10. What Publishers Look For

Are compelling photos that tell the most story with as few words as possible - with perfect framing and technical perfection, on top of all that.

The photographer they hired was assisted by the press credentials that got him close to the action.

Here's the photo currently with the story:



Your top photo tells the most story. It would be a better photo by coming from an angle that excluded the partial car from view, or showed it fully. As it is, it's a distraction.

The third photo is interesting, but again, there's a distraction (the gas vent pole).

The final photo has great framing and could be used as a secondary photo. But, there's a but: visible noise reduction (which also affects the third and, to a lesser extent, the first).

My advice:

1. Pay more attention to how you frame your shots - maximize what we're supposed to be looking at, minimize what distracts us.

2. Learn your camera's limitations and learn to work around them. In the case of noise/noise reduction, emphasize shooting in conditions where you'll be on the lower end (80/100/200), where the least artifacts are likely to be. If you can't avoid them, consider trading up to a better model.

3. Keep bugging the photo editor of your local paper to look at your stuff.

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. Thanks, Crisco

I completely understand all the points you made. Had I not been restricted by having to be a spectator from the far side of a 4-lane boulevard, I bet I could have gotten more journalistic style shots. Maybe I need to get a press pass or something? I know if I had crossed the road to get better shots (and I so wanted to), I would have been told immediately to get back and out of the way.

Is there a way to be able to gain better access to scenes, or should I just do it, and just leave when told to do so? This is a very little town, with cops who play the tough guy all the time.

[NashVegas]

13. Good Questions

You know the old adage about looking like you belong? That can help, until they ask for your creds. Then you try and make a new friend, and hope. Eventually they'll get used to seeing you, if you're persistent. Either they'll relax or you'll get tossed out on your ear.

In the meantime, ask the photo editor for a lunch meeting. Explain that you're trying to break into the biz, and would like to pick their brain. If you get that lunch, pick away and don't forget to pick up the tab. If you get the shpiel about how little you'll get paid, and how much schooling you need, don't get discouraged. Just ... make a friend of that editor if you can, get them in your corner.