The Infernal Winds of the Second Circle, a photo from Michigan, Midwest

Photographer's Note

My last post showed the main building on fire in what was once possibly an auto-parts supplier. Over the years as automobile factories left Detroit the building took on new roles. It eventually became a type of chop-shop, a place where cars go to be stripped down and the parts re-used. So in a way the building came full circle, from helping to produce cars to destroying cars. You could even see the cars stashed away in satellite images of the facility.

The people in the area had been complaining about the facility for some time but got no where with the city. The owners were supposed to clean up they said but that was months ago and to them something like the fire that eventually happened was inevitable. And finally on a brisk but perfect October day the inevitable did happen and the whole block went up in flames.

So the Detroit Fire Department went into action on the second huge fire in five months at a relic of Detroit's automobile heritage past. The major activity fighting the fire was on the east side of the building where several homes and a former church's school abutted the fire. So, high on their ladders they sprayed tiny streams of water on the fire as smoke billowed high into the sky.

The water at first was a problem to get as they were draining all the water in the area, which caused other hydrants around the building to lose pressure. So the Detroit Water Department had to join the fire department in getting to work. In all the water department redirected 1 million gallons of water per hour, or 4 per cent of the system's average hourly flow.

This photo was taken at the highest iso setting of my little camera as I zoomed in on these ladders so it came out a bit noisy, of course. But I decided to keep the noise as part over of the overall atmosphere so I hope it works like that.

And the title comes from Dante's description in "The Divine Comedy" of the second circle of Hell where a
"hellish hurricane, which never rests,
drives on the spirits with its violence:
wheeling and pounding, it harasses them."
(lines 31-33)

ElSato, PJE, speedyturtle, kclai, joso, kaud, simonekarl, Rinie_Hoff, tjanze, Manu_b, rbcy1974, banyanman, wilkinsonsg, nwoehnl, elihesamian, Tue, zig, ChristianS, kajenn, jhm, bertolucci, robiuk, papagolf21, oochappan, premels, emanuela, jrj, aralda trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

ElSato (824) 2005-10-26 22:27

Paul,

A beautiful disaster of a photo (which I mean in the best sense).

The confusion of wires and cables and ladders, the three diagonals of high-pressure water, the hellishly lit smoke in the background, and the collapsed roof in the foreground that implies larger destruction, all blend beautifully.

The crosses of the power poles seem to give weight to the religious title you've chosen (and a well-chosen title it is, too).

Visually this is a genuine spectacle; socially it's something less beautiful, as your well-written note explains.

An excellent package all around.

Lee

[3] +

PJE (20758) 2005-10-26 22:44

Paul Excellent quality photo in capturing jsut how these firemen put out fires. I love how the ladders build the framework in this photo. Add to that the fantastic lighting too.

maphoto (8082) 2005-10-26 22:53

Hi Paul, a great action shot, nice capture of a sad moment. Graphically very interesting with the electrical wires and water, very well framed, well done.

kclai (2267) 2005-10-26 23:10

Morning Paul
Is this the same scene from the last post?
Well, seem that you are quite good in photo-journalism.
Thi shot speak it out, loud and clear. Paul is here to conquer!!
Due to the large aperture you used for this shot that resulted the grain appearing.
But still, it's a "disaster" shot.
Cool.
Eric Lai

joso (2417) 2005-10-26 23:19

The titel with Dante's touch,
the way you show thw fight of the two elements,
the very good explicative note

excellent, Paul
János

vapours (8264) 2005-10-27 0:33

Great action shot, love the colours as well.

kaud (1840) 2005-10-27 1:07

The event was not great, but the photograph is.
Good disaster management photograph.
Cool title and neat note completes the shot.

sarju (5324) 2005-10-27 1:14

Hi Paul
classic follow up to your previous post.
Thanks a lot for going an extra mile for writing such an informative note, one of the best I have seen lately.
your composition ... with the firemen and all the wires in this scene increasing the tension of what is going on in the photo
just a quick question, did you increase saturation in this photo ... not that I am against it but I was just curious
tfs ... cheers .... sarju

tars (882) 2005-10-27 2:43

Imposing picture of a pitiful event. Good reproduction of the jets of waters and the dark smoke. Very great shot.
Grts. Tars

simonekarl (404) 2005-10-27 2:59

What an interesting photo, the ladders and cables spread across the image like a manic spidersweb! You give the viewer a taste of the horror with the intense flames and smoke, but despite this your capture is still relativly clean, I like the added noise/grain effect too. Excellent note as well.
Unfortuanetly I've run out of smileys

Rinie_Hoff (9340) 2005-10-27 3:01

Hi Paul, of course, it's a very sad occasion, but the picture itself is beautiful. Full of very nice diagonals, the water looks as if its going back. The powerlines crossing the picture gives it a very dynamic feeling as well, and the background color is great. Yes, I'm looking at a small disaster, but you managed to take a very good photo of it.

tjanze (5674) 2005-10-27 3:30

Hi Paul!
Another fantastic action shot.Great lines of wires and water.Very gramatic photo.

Manu_b (97) 2005-10-27 4:15

Nice photo. Good capture of the moment.

I think there's a bit too much contrast, but well.. thta's my opinion.

banyanman (7797) 2005-10-27 10:44

This is every bit as good as the last one you posted, Paul, if not better. Just a great piece of photo journalism. Very well composed. The noise doesn't worry me in this sort of shot. Cheers . . . David

wilkinsonsg (8662) 2005-10-27 13:53

Well captured action shot, the note puts it all in context.
I like the various 'lines' in the the image - almost graphic :)

nwoehnl (122) 2005-10-27 14:04

Your photos from the fires - as sad as each of the occasions is in its own right - are among your best work here on TE I think. Vivid and compelling photographic accounts of the bravery that is involved in dealing with the fires and getting them under control. I like the sheer graphical appeal of this one with the diagonals from the water jets mixing with the surrounding poles and cables. The noise is definitely good on this one, Paul - if it hadn't been in the original I might have gone so far to ask for some to be added in post-work.

elihesamian (26149) 2005-10-27 17:36

This is touchs the viewer,in point of sad subject,and in point of the way you captured and composed scene,in a fine dynamic situation of the matter,great one,Paul,
I'm glad you didn't change the noise that results caused the ISO,this works well here,
The diagonal lines on some direction with its contrast to dark smoky background are strong,the ladders and waterjets.
Thanks for your note ,Paul,this is great shot and report,perfectly composed and wonderful!

All the Best
M

Tue (92302) 2005-10-28 8:18

Hej Paul,
Good capture again, this time of the fire-fighters. I like the dramatic view created by the smoke. Well captured.
Hilsner,
Lars

rbcy1974 (20758) 2005-10-28 15:43

Hi Paul,
What a dramatic event, this is excellent reporter style photography. Very dramatic scene, the different jets of water ad certain dynamism to it.
Ill be back
Regards
Daniel

Stepan (27210) 2005-10-29 13:33

Very impressive ! A reporter shot !
The frame, the sharpness, the colors... everything's OK in herd conditions I suppose.
Great job.
Stéphane

zig (2456) 2005-10-30 8:48

Wao. That is the only description to tell about this shot. How could it be this sharp and clear, plus perfect framing? Gee, you must have studied art or somethng at school.. You could send this to some press, I guess.

ChristianS (2997) 2005-10-30 12:40

Hi Paul, this is another nice shot, just as dramatic as the previous one, and definitely with a touch of inferno. I like the upward perspective showing these firemen dwarfed but still fighting this huge sky covering fire. Well captured!

Regards, Christian

kajenn (2462) 2005-10-30 21:40

An equally impressive image from the scene of the fire, Paul. The colored smoke is an exhaustive dramatic (hellish) backdrop to the tangle of wires, poles, ladders and the water jets. The mixture of water and electric power cords adds to the feeling of danger for the fire-fighters. A well imposed composition - underlined by the sharpness in combination with the color shades and grains of the smoke - provide for an excellent piece of photojournalism again. Nice touch adding a link to the satellite photo too - gives an extra dimension. Very well done!

jhm (211736) 2005-10-31 6:22

Hi Paul,
I found this a very action exciting series, again a very grear shot with these firewere man, the three diagonals of high-pressure water make your picture very spectacular.
Have a nice day.
John.

bertolucci (14052) 2005-10-31 14:50

Hi Paul, a great and again fascinating sequel this is! I love the very strong grahic and dramatic interplay between all these gritty lines - the backlit smoke forms a great background for it. The title is expertly chosen - these firefightters are facing hellish circumstances. And before I forget - the noise is definite a bonus here.
Great and exciting documentary work - again accompanied by a fine note. Great job.
Regards from Rotterdam, Bert.

robiuk (10807) 2005-11-01 14:42

Hi Paul,
This one is absolutely extraordinary!
Of course I don't mind the graininess at all as it ads (like you say) to the atmosphere, but the colours!!! - dunno what you did in PP-ing but the whole image is out of space with this contrast between whites (the crane and water jets) and the rest of the colours in the frame.
Beautiful (if anything is 'beautiful' about this event!) background.
Bravo!
Robi

papagolf21 (152607) 2005-11-03 17:33

Bonsoir Paul,
Une image qui nous parle ! le bruit dans le ciel qui prend des airs de cauchemar n'est pas gênant, il prend au contraire une sorte d'impact plus important sur la composition.
Très belle réalisation : un reportage sur le vif.
Amitiés.
Philippe

oochappan (4880) 2005-11-04 22:49

What a detailled and colored elements here standing loose from the background by its clarity as is was enlightened seperatly like with a flash. Very nice to see, fine gradiant colors and grains on the fire and smoke background

premels (2400) 2005-11-06 7:57

Hi Paul, Great postcard from hell :) I like the way the power poles stand out against the furious background and to me the noise works well in this picture: It gives some thickness to the smoke. The water stream in background is amazingly lit ... as if burning.

emanuela (1257) 2005-11-06 15:19

superb shot for framing, pov, colors, lines, note and composition of course really superb, favorites
emanuela

jrj (34843) 2005-11-08 5:16

Good dramatic and action influenced setting of the firebrigade in full swing paul. Great details and for you with the right wind I guess as you have captured all the very sharp and clear details - 'smokefree'.
Interesting, very good work

snuggleaphagus (4146) 2005-11-13 5:43

Wow that is amazing. You certainly were in the right place at the right time.
The beauty and devastation of fire is so well implied here.
the lines formed by the water jets is great.
simply gorgeous
i'm sure the firemen would love to have a copy of this

Furachan (0) 2005-11-20 1:18

Geetings, Paul. Allow me to confgratulate you on
this stunning rendering of a tragic scene. Like many great photjurnalism shots, thi one manages to be beautiful in the midst of diaster (if that makes sense). Your title is superb and oh, so appropriate, as is yur excellent note.
I will look in on your portfolio regularly from here on...sorry for arriving so late on the scene..;o)
Kind regards,
Francis

femkevdh (2633) 2005-11-30 2:55

it's a very sad event of course, but your capture is truly excellent. Incredible sharpness and colors under the circumstances. And you took the time to find the perfect composition. Compliments!

Didi (61589) 2005-12-06 12:13

Bonjour Paul
Merci de nous montrer le travail de ces nobles pompiers.
Le commentaire est digne d'un excellent journaliste.
La composition est excellente et parfaitement agencée.

Hello Paul
Thank you to show us the work of these noble firemen. The comment is worthy of an excellent journalist. The composition excellent and is arranged perfectly.

jrzufferey (7305) 2005-12-19 3:45

Hi Paul, Hé hé ils ne sont pas peureux vos pompiers chevauchant acrobatiquement les lignes électriques à haute tension. Bonnes fêtes Amitié/jr

aralda (1240) 2006-01-04 7:21

I agree with Lee on the composition comments. I would also like to add that the colors work out nicely too: the orange and the bluish tones. Also, I find the play between the three poles going up and the "rays" of high-pressure water very successful.
Thanks for sharing the photo and the nice note,
Raluca

vinicio (23423) 2006-01-10 2:17

Beautiful shot Paul, hard to do I think, you have take a dramatic moment in well mode, my compliments.
Ciao
Vinicio

Polonaise (5802) 2006-03-06 18:38

My first reaction was: Are we on a movie set?
Tha cables, the people high up in those cages, and lights...unbelievable lights. My imagination ran wild, to the point where I saw those gigantic light beamers mounted high on the hydro power pole.
But then I read the note and the ilusion's gone.
You shattered my daydreams Paul with some silly Dante's Drama and real fire scene. What a shame (giggling).
10 out of 10
George