We were woken up this morning by a phone call from relatives in Essex asking if we knew about the fire in the town centre - we didn't. The BBC have reported that fire crews were alerted at 3.16am and that a 21 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson, but by the time I managed to get down there everything was under control, and many of the pumps in attendance were starting to pack away their kit.
Anyway, as it's been quite some time since I posted anything even vaguely photojournalistic I thought I'd put these four up, all of which were shot using my Canon G9 and processed in Lightroom. Ideally, I should have gone round to our office and picked up a DSLR and my 70-200, but I'm glad I didn't as I suspect I would have missed everything if I'd made the detour.
On a totally different matter: a few weeks ago I mentioned that I'd be instructing at the Gulf Photo Plus 2009 training event in Dubai (March 30th to April 4th). If you're interested in attending they've just published the schedule as a downloadable PDF. It looks like it's going to be a great event, and while it's not the cheapest place in the world to visit, it's definitely worth a visit.
And finally, thanks for all the great comments on my previous entry. I'm going to be shooting a lot more material with my new Lensbaby so it was good to see that my first attempt was well received :)
Update: if you find that the first image in the sequence of four is centred, and the other three are butted against the leftmost edge of the page, this is because I added some new code to my stylesheet to display the extra images. All you need to do is force the page to reload (hold the shift key while clicking the reload button) and all should be good :)
comment byMirko Herzner at 12:48 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
A fine series and a good example of photojournalism :-) Your processing is superiour as usual!
comment byAlan at 12:49 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
These images are really great (although the circumstances aren't). Being in black & white gives them a real 'newspaper' feel and are very journalistic in style. I particularly like the final image taken from behind and in-between the two fireman as it makes you feel like you're almost stamding there. Great stuff!
comment byJustin at 01:10 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
Agree with Alan above, some great journalistic style photo's here and I love the post processing style you've used. The last in the set for me is my favourite, I love the way the building is framed between the fireman and how it makes you feel like you're actually there. Top stuff David!
comment byIlan at 01:14 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
I love the story telling here, very cleverly composed.
The first 'scene' is the impact while the last 'scene' is the outcome, the epilogue you might call it, when we get a closer look at our heroes.
Masterfully done :)
comment byLibby at 01:21 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
I really hope they can save the building that is now Yates, and centre of these photos. Yates have just renovated the premises, and it is always popular. However I'm more worried about the actual building.
It was built in 1868 as a shopping arcade, theatre, billiard room and assembly rooms. In June 1880 Blackpool's first 'free library' opened in the Octagonal room, and in 1907 it housed one of the countries first "Electric Theatres". It faces onto Talbot Square - in days gone by it actually was a square, and was framed by the Assembly Rooms, the wonderful Victorian Town Hall (1900) and the North Pier (1863).
In recent decades Blackpool, like many towns, has been subjected to many hideous buildings and planning decisions. It will be very sad if we lose another grand building.
comment byMohamadreza at 02:17 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
Nice cinematic shots, well taken.
comment byCarlos Garcia at 05:37 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
Dave,
Great contrast and detail of a tragic event. I love the circular windows at the top of the building. Thanks to Libby for the history lesson. I love old structures... I hope this one can be saved.
comment byAlessandro at 05:42 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
GREAT pictures, not-so-great circumstance. The B&W really adds drama.
comment by cy at 07:27 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
love the heavy contrast.
on another note, if you were to buy and own only one digital camera on a limited budget... what you buy?
comment byKristian at 10:05 PM (GMT) on 15 February, 2009
A fire engine is always spectacular. And you've got ladders and all. Impressive :-)
comment byBriony at 12:47 AM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
these are all rockin but that last one is stinkin hard core! great job!
comment bymicha at 02:22 AM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
Libby, many thanks for the information about the building. Dave I think you should do more photojournalistic stuff. Really like the pics especially for being in B&W. Well done.
comment by613photo at 04:22 AM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
The whole series is great but I really dig the last one. Very creative.
comment bymbecher at 08:52 AM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
These are great. I'm not the one to talk about the quality of your photos, but I've been following your blog for a year or so and today you really surprised me.
hey wow i head about this on the radio... sounded horrific bit so interesting to see some high quality photos that really show what was happening.. the black and white is a cool effect definately makes it feel like it was about 30 years ago..
comment byOzbonography at 10:27 AM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
Nice shots indeed - although for me on Firefox, the last three break the layout, and are all left-aligned rather than centred. (Just so you know)
I must admit, I did think "Hope that the Chromasia offices aren't in that lot" when I heard the story on BBC News.
Oh and finally, have you seen that you're featured today on Smashing Magazine's piece on Inspiring Photoblogs ? ( http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/14/50-wonderful-inspiring-photoblogs/ ) Nice one indeed!
comment bywill pattison at 11:01 AM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
very cool! i've been wondering if - and how much - you use lightroom, and the g9 is also a great little rig. i use lr2 a lot, and my g9 when i need to, and find it's a great combination. lightroom makes it easy to bring the files from the g9 up to snuff without a huge time investment.
looking forward to gpp!
wp.
comment byOlivier Jules at 06:32 PM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
nice pictures
comment bydjn1 at 07:37 PM (GMT) on 16 February, 2009
Thanks everyone :)
comment byJérôme at 07:34 PM (GMT) on 18 February, 2009
This is unusual and yet very interesting ! And the G9 seems great. I saw Canon released a G10 recently... this series really makes me want to grab one !
comment byJon Jenkins at 08:53 PM (GMT) on 19 February, 2009
Good doc photog!
comment byRob at 04:55 PM (GMT) on 22 February, 2009
Nice documentary series. The b&w looks great as well.
comment bymooch at 11:15 PM (GMT) on 25 February, 2009
I like the treatment. This could be the 1920's.
comment byMichael Ward at 04:46 AM (GMT) on 2 March, 2009
Oh dear, the demise of yet another landmark of many misspent youths. They (Yates's) used to sell the best cheap plonk on the Fylde coast.
Great reportage, I really like #4.
comment bywinghoong at 06:55 AM (GMT) on 17 March, 2009
We were woken up this morning by a phone call from relatives in Essex asking if we knew about the fire in the town centre - we didn't. The BBC have reported that fire crews were alerted at 3.16am and that a 21 year old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson, but by the time I managed to get down there everything was under control, and many of the pumps in attendance were starting to pack away their kit.
Anyway, as it's been quite some time since I posted anything even vaguely photojournalistic I thought I'd put these four up, all of which were shot using my Canon G9 and processed in Lightroom. Ideally, I should have gone round to our office and picked up a DSLR and my 70-200, but I'm glad I didn't as I suspect I would have missed everything if I'd made the detour.
On a totally different matter: a few weeks ago I mentioned that I'd be instructing at the Gulf Photo Plus 2009 training event in Dubai (March 30th to April 4th). If you're interested in attending they've just published the schedule as a downloadable PDF. It looks like it's going to be a great event, and while it's not the cheapest place in the world to visit, it's definitely worth a visit.
And finally, thanks for all the great comments on my previous entry. I'm going to be shooting a lot more material with my new Lensbaby so it was good to see that my first attempt was well received :)
Update: if you find that the first image in the sequence of four is centred, and the other three are butted against the leftmost edge of the page, this is because I added some new code to my stylesheet to display the extra images. All you need to do is force the page to reload (hold the shift key while clicking the reload button) and all should be good :)
A fine series and a good example of photojournalism :-) Your processing is superiour as usual!
These images are really great (although the circumstances aren't). Being in black & white gives them a real 'newspaper' feel and are very journalistic in style. I particularly like the final image taken from behind and in-between the two fireman as it makes you feel like you're almost stamding there. Great stuff!
Agree with Alan above, some great journalistic style photo's here and I love the post processing style you've used. The last in the set for me is my favourite, I love the way the building is framed between the fireman and how it makes you feel like you're actually there. Top stuff David!
I love the story telling here, very cleverly composed.
The first 'scene' is the impact while the last 'scene' is the outcome, the epilogue you might call it, when we get a closer look at our heroes.
Masterfully done :)
I really hope they can save the building that is now Yates, and centre of these photos. Yates have just renovated the premises, and it is always popular. However I'm more worried about the actual building.
It was built in 1868 as a shopping arcade, theatre, billiard room and assembly rooms. In June 1880 Blackpool's first 'free library' opened in the Octagonal room, and in 1907 it housed one of the countries first "Electric Theatres". It faces onto Talbot Square - in days gone by it actually was a square, and was framed by the Assembly Rooms, the wonderful Victorian Town Hall (1900) and the North Pier (1863).
In recent decades Blackpool, like many towns, has been subjected to many hideous buildings and planning decisions. It will be very sad if we lose another grand building.
Nice cinematic shots, well taken.
Dave,
Great contrast and detail of a tragic event. I love the circular windows at the top of the building. Thanks to Libby for the history lesson. I love old structures... I hope this one can be saved.
GREAT pictures, not-so-great circumstance. The B&W really adds drama.
love the heavy contrast.
on another note, if you were to buy and own only one digital camera on a limited budget... what you buy?
A fire engine is always spectacular. And you've got ladders and all. Impressive :-)
these are all rockin but that last one is stinkin hard core! great job!
Libby, many thanks for the information about the building. Dave I think you should do more photojournalistic stuff. Really like the pics especially for being in B&W. Well done.
The whole series is great but I really dig the last one. Very creative.
These are great. I'm not the one to talk about the quality of your photos, but I've been following your blog for a year or so and today you really surprised me.
hey wow i head about this on the radio... sounded horrific bit so interesting to see some high quality photos that really show what was happening.. the black and white is a cool effect definately makes it feel like it was about 30 years ago..
Nice shots indeed - although for me on Firefox, the last three break the layout, and are all left-aligned rather than centred. (Just so you know)
I must admit, I did think "Hope that the Chromasia offices aren't in that lot" when I heard the story on BBC News.
Oh and finally, have you seen that you're featured today on Smashing Magazine's piece on Inspiring Photoblogs ? ( http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/14/50-wonderful-inspiring-photoblogs/ ) Nice one indeed!
very cool! i've been wondering if - and how much - you use lightroom, and the g9 is also a great little rig. i use lr2 a lot, and my g9 when i need to, and find it's a great combination. lightroom makes it easy to bring the files from the g9 up to snuff without a huge time investment.
looking forward to gpp!
wp.
nice pictures
Thanks everyone :)
This is unusual and yet very interesting ! And the G9 seems great. I saw Canon released a G10 recently... this series really makes me want to grab one !
Good doc photog!
Nice documentary series. The b&w looks great as well.
I like the treatment. This could be the 1920's.
Oh dear, the demise of yet another landmark of many misspent youths. They (Yates's) used to sell the best cheap plonk on the Fylde coast.
Great reportage, I really like #4.
very great photos...very well captured!