When Death Came Calling Photo

Photographer’s Note

The above photo was taken on a foggy morning. Who would have thought then that Death would come calling yesterday and claim so many lives in townships located in the mountain ranges you see in the distance. Even where I live, in the Dandenong Ranges there were several fires, which thank God, were brought under control by our wonderful firefighters. The horrible thing is , that many of these fires tend to be deliberately lit. Yesterday the temperature rose to 46.6 degrees and the wind was above 50 kph. Being outside was like being blasted by the winds from Hell.In the eye of the fiery storm the winds were 100kmh and unfortunately many of the deceased waited till it was too late before they decided to abandon their properties. In one car six members of a family perished.

"Seventy-six (84 Sunday 9.30pm),(108 Monday 9.30am) people are confirmed dead in Victoria's bush fires, far surpassing the state's toll of 47 in the 1983 Ash Wednesday blazes.
The number of dead is likely to rise even further as blazes continue to ravage the state with almost 312,000 hectares affected. At least 700 homes (750 now at 9.30pm) have been destroyed - 550 of those in Kinglake and surrounding areas.
The Kinglake complex fires north-east of Melbourne are now at least 80 kilometres wide and 220,000 hectares in size, after several fires merged.

The Marysville fire is part of the Murrindindi blaze, which has now merged with the Kilmore fires. About 100,000 hectares is now burning in that area.
Police said they did not know if the age of those killed in the fires but expect some children are among the dead.
Police suspect some fires were deliberately lit yesterday despite warnings that it was the worst day in Victoria's history for fire conditions."

If you want to read the full report and see the map, visit the following website: www.theage.com.au

bracasha75, jhm, rginer, mafegan, cherryripe, feather, Dyerco, ribeiroantonio, Fellini, ellelloo, xuaxo, Floydian, Beasolea has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

delpeoples (5938) 2009-02-08 2:37

Oh Klaudio, this is a very compelling photo not least because of the story behind it. I can't believe there are so many dead. This is a national disgrace. Regarding the photo itself: your title is very apt, the tonal range faultless and the inclusion of the tree to the left provides great contrast and perspective. Well done. And I'll be saying a prayer for the people of Victoria and Sth Australia. Saluti, Lisa.

bracasha75 (22021) 2009-02-08 2:39

Zdravo Klaudio
Cak i mi ovde smo culi putem TV sta se desava dole i stvarno je velika zalost za izgubljenim zivotima .Svi mi smo gosti na ovom svetu i svakome nekad dodje cas ,ali kada pokusavas da spasaes sebe i svoje najmilije onda je to vec tragedija
Rado bih rekao i reci utehe ali tu utehe nema
Nazalost po ko zna koji put nam je priroda dokazala koliko je jaca od nas koji mislimo da smo sve mocni
Pozdrav,Braca
Slika zasluzuje bodove,a ne slucaj koji vam se deesava tamo !!!!!!!!

jhm (82341) 2009-02-08 2:45

Hello Claudio,

You have this picture taken between heaven and earth, splendid withthe misty clouds above the valley.
Lovely panorama view, nice colours and good composition.
Also sharpness are superb.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice sunday,
John

rginer (530) 2009-02-08 3:05 [Comment]

Show Comment

mafegan (4153) 2009-02-08 7:55

Hello Klaudio
A calm but foggy morning before "death came calling". Who could have believed such a disaster could occur in this country? Like all other Australians my thoughts are with the people of this area.
At the same time the top end of this country is flooded and just a few weeks ago severe storms damaged where I live.
Regarding your photo - the tree in the foreground provides perspective and is a nice contrast to the distant pastel shaded landscape.
An appropriate image to post at this time of unimaginable disaster. Tfs, Marlene

cherryripe (18973) 2009-02-08 8:57

Hi Klaudio
After seeing the Swiss news, I've being gluing myself to The Age the rest of today. I'm in a state of shock and remember vividly what it was like during the Ash Wednesday fires. I'm picturing Marysville in my head (even the tree we nearly crashed into when my Mum fell asleep at the wheel) and Marylands where I went to on holidays for a couple of years. Just saw a picture of the surrounds of Yarra Yering where we went wine tasting a few years back - amazing, they were so lucky.
In your photo, one can imagine the fog being smoke. You have nicely framed it with the tree.
Regards
Nikki

SteveH (3899) 2009-02-09 3:25

Hi Klaudio, fine composition here, with the trees framing the scene below, and alternating layers of mist and hills take the viewer into the scene. One minor criticism - there are sharpening artifacts around the tree branches, slight halo where the increase in contrast is too much. I find it useful in an image like this, with a small area of high contrast to sharpen in a layer and then mask that area until the halo dissappears.

And wasn't the heat on Sat'y incredible. Even growing up in Perth I hadn't experienced that sort of heat. Scary. Cheers, Steve

feather (49858) 2009-02-09 5:46

We have been getting the dreadful news in the UK and our worries about snow chaos pale into insignificance set against this terrible tragedy. It's unbelievable that some of the fires are stared deliberately; just what is in the minds of these psychopaths!!??
You chose an excellent photo to underline here the dreadful events.
Kath

Dyerco (9058) 2009-02-09 7:09

Hi Klaudio
It is hard to believe that fog would even develop given the scorching temperatures you have been having. They say the death toll now stands at 170 at the last report we heard. It is hard to believe that some people will deliberately set fires but we often have the same thing here. We feel for your losses.
Phil

ribeiroantonio (21891) 2009-02-09 20:09

Unfortunately the official death toll stands at 173 and still rising. It is unbelieving the fires were deliberately lit. Only sick people could do it.
You got the most beautiful photo and I would say it is a wonderful homage to all that perished in this huge disaster.
I am glad to know that you are well and please stay safe.
Antonio

Fellini (4958) 2009-02-09 23:37

Hi Klaudio,
it is scary, no words to describe. I am sorry to hear about all the sadness everyone over there is feeling.
What a tragedy....we all are with you in this moments.
Regards
Alex

holmertz (9594) 2009-02-10 4:58

Hello Klaudio,
It's incredible that the margin between happiness and disaster can be so narrow. The horrible fires in Victora have of course made the headlines even here on the other side of the globe. The last few days' experiences, and your choice of title, give the beauty of this picture a strong moodiness.
Kind regards,
Gert

ellelloo (4757) 2009-02-10 8:48

Hello Klaudio,
An unbelievable and horrible disaster. I agree with Gert that the very sad things and your title give your beautiful photo a strong emotional impression.
Keep safe!
Lasse

xuaxo (5705) 2009-02-10 10:13

Hi Klaudio,
Nice photo, especially with the trees at left, for a tribute to the perished people of Australia during the fires.
It seems the same like in Portugal in summer, only in a very different scale.
Respect.
Francisco

Floydian (30970) 2009-02-10 10:27

Hi Klaudio,

You have really a hard time over there, i really hope all stays well with you and your family. First we saw the floodings in Queensland on tv, but now these fires, these are even worse. People loose everything, must be hard to see this with your own eyes.
First i thought the clouds were smoke, but it's fog. Do i need to say it's a great shot...you know that already, let me only say that i hope that those fires are under control while i'll type this...

Take care,

Henk

Beasolea (1640) 2009-02-12 17:39

Witaj Klaudio,
When I heard about it, my first thought if this affected you?? I do not have any friends in Australia, only you my TE friend. Beautiful story behind as well, I always say, that all our life is crucial and that why we should be kind to each other, because we never know, when is our last day. Take care and thank you for your sharings.
Best regards
Bea

resato (428) 2009-02-15 2:44

Hello Klaudio

Terrible news, I hope the situation is improving.
2007 I was in southern Crete and got to taste winds bringing the heat up to 52°C! Chills were running down my spine...
At first I didn't now if this picture was portraying the fire smoke. It is one which conveys the misterious atmosphere fog can create. At the same time it has a strange light...Not spectacular, but eyecatching.
Regards, René

cagla (2150) 2009-02-15 11:23

Hi Klaudio, it was really very sad to hear on tv about all those people who lost their lives in that fire disaster. Hope everything will settle in time and the situation get improve, may god spare the families more grief. Regarding the photo, it is from your objective so it's obviously very good. Thanks for sharing.
Hoscakal.
Cagla.