Night of Fire Photo

Photographer’s Note

A spate of vicious veld fires have been sweeping our mountains and farms, causing huge amounts of damage. Lives and homes have been lost and acres and acres of winterfeed destroyed.

Technical: Shot in RAW with Tamron telephoto lens 200mm-500mm at 500mm. Tripod with remote control.

I need advise from all you experts.

I shot in RAW and it was just a black image with a thin orange stripe.
On conversion, using the default settings, it became much lighter and I could see the bush and the fire fighters. I thought it would make an interesting picture.
I increased the brightness,contrast and hue and sharpened it for upload.
I don't really like the look of the billowing smoke as it has quite a lot of pixelation and layered red hues in the hotter parts. I took a lot of similar shots. I wanted the flames to be more defined but they more often than not look like molten lava.
I suppose these heavy contrast pictures are not easy to take, but there should be some kind of formula.
One thing I didn't try and that was increasing the ISO.
I still like the picture and I am sure a real photoshop pro would probably use the all the magic tools to get it perfect, but that would also not be in the spirit of the exercise.
The short question, how do I take perfect night time fire shots without too much photoshopping?

Regards,
Irmgard

john_c, ls7902 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

KellEy (1224) 2007-08-07 8:58

This is a very sad photo and a bit frightening too.
You've captured the mood very well. I think the composition helps.
Well done!

KevRyan (22297) 2007-08-07 15:18

an interesting shot Irmgard - with such a long exposure it is inevitable that you would lose the detail of the flame and with such a dynamic shot you couldn't use HDR I guess - I still have to work at night shots with flame and there is an uneasy balance between the intensity of the flame and the amount of light which is then provided to surrounding features - just not the easiest subject - and one that you would need to experiemnt with in terms of the camera you are using - for the best combination available......I'm not so scientific in my approach - I work in the moment more intuitively - but i'm sure there are some real experts here who can help you. My reason for buying the 5d was to shoot higher quality shots in low light - however you can reduce the effect you don't like by de-saturating slightly and working more selectively on parts of the image - dodging, burning, contrast etc .

I like the image anyway despite all its technical difficulties - a real Hades shot - incredible.

best wishes Kev

john_c (24635) 2007-08-10 8:47

Hi Irmgard,
I agree with Kev's remarks. I am not a night shot expert at all, but I would recommend bumping up the contrast and doing a grad tint. There is an excellent grad tint tool in Picasa, which is a free downloadable software program. I like the dynamism and raw power exuded by the shot, as well as your POV. Well captured...later.
John

wimmels2010 (122) 2007-08-11 0:13

hi Imrgard, I'd like to commend you on your work, night shots are no easy task. What a dramatic image! You could crop it a bit, take out the dark foreground and sky, also draw the figures closer, because that is where the action is and where the drama unfolds.
thanks for sharing my friend, take care
Wilmotz

ls7902 (6044) 2007-08-11 19:32

Hello Irmgard,
I think this is a great composition with the shadows providing much shape & support to the photo. I can sense the heat in the air above the fire. The curving line of fire & bottom shadow lead to the group of people trying to do something about the fire. Dramatic photo. Regards. Latiff.

PS: Most of my night photos are unacceptable :).

polter (6030) 2007-08-13 4:28

Hi Irmgard
Great photo. Love composition and warm colouring. Being no expert of night shots I can fully enjoy the view and light effects... however it's probably not the right thing to enjoy effects of such a dangerous and damaging event ;)). I think you've achieved an extraordinary effect here and don't suppose there was something more to do. The photo reveals both - the danger and the beauty of the fire and peoples at their lost.
Greetings T.

Silke (3023) 2007-08-18 10:59

I am no PhotoShop expert, so I will confine myself to a critique of the photo.
For all that it is an image of some sad and difficult times, it is very well done -- the composition is fine and the details are very good. I like (and fear!) the image of the tiny men battling the gigantic blaze -- it is a picture of courage
TFs
silke

Buin (36932) 2007-08-21 8:45

Hallo Irmgard!
An impressive - and threatening - atmosphere you caught here in wonderful and natural colours. The included persons somehow seem to be undetermined, helpless. I hope that you aren't affected too much ...
A really good reportage picture!
Concerning RAW unfortunately I can't help ... ;-)
Greetings from rainy and cool Germany!
Frank

DariaK (641) 2008-10-30 19:15 [Comment]