Photoshop Practice

The new Adobe Photoshop CS6 has some pretty cool 3D model features.  Just playing around, I learned to use some of them to make this cool logo for my fire photography photos.  

Qualities of The Job

Put some time into photoshop & you come up with something neat!

The Face of Fire

Ok, so you've seen weird stuff that looks like a face all over the internet - have you ever seen the face of fire?  Our department conducted burn training in the VDFP Mobile Live Fire Simulators last weekend.  This photo came from one of the instructors.  The photo has been cleaned up in photoshop - but what you are seeing is actually what came out of the camera!   

Cool Duds

My office getup!

Fighting Lights

Although this may look like the fellas were fighting a big fire, they were actually doing a hose drill.  The cool color is coming from the street lights.

Hans strikes a pose before sending water.  Go Bunky!

Icons

One of the many icons of the Fire Department is the fire helmet.  We now use traditional styles - updated with the safety standards of today!

Playing With HDR

Below, you will see two examples of HDR photo editing.  In each case, three photos are taken: underexposed, correctly exposed and overexposed.  In special software, all three photos are merged to create one - which allow you to see balanced shadows and highlights.  

Tools of The Trade

TRFA

Ladder-1 set up for rescue at TRFA 

Standing Tall

This morning was a day to say goodbye to Scott Kinnison.  He lost his fight with Brain Cancer.  "Brain" was one of the guys that everyone loved - he was a great man.  Below, Ladders One and Three stand tall to hold the colors marking the entrance to the memorial service.  What an honor it was to be there.

Morning Check

Ladder-1 going through a morning check!

A Visit To The Firehouse

Nicholas poses with Dad at the Firehouse - on 9/11

Marine Six

Marine-6 is our department's current fire & rescue boat.  The craft is due to be replaced in the near future with a state of the art vessel.  It will be the sister boat to the Carl Brashear (NNFD). 

Sharp Dressed

Now here is a well dressed fireman.  It's a shame that this uniform only comes out on special occasions.  In this instance, we were sending one of our own to the big house.  Captain Kenny Owens passed away suddenly at his home.  Incidentally, Kenny was my first Captain and I now hold his position.  The truck in the background is a 1955 Dodge Howe.  It was the first truck owned by our department.

Custom Logo

CAPTAIN LOGO

A Magazine Cover

Phillip's Car on the cover of MOPAR Muscle (sort of)

The Job

FIRE STATION #1 (The Pit)

Couple of Logos for the Fellas

Is It Real?

So if seeing is believing, would you believe that we had a 2 alarm fire the other day ... hmm - knowing Sean, it is probably a photoshop job.  Who wants to see a firetruck squirting water on a bunch of trees anyway?  I did a little doctoring and presto, we have a job!

Marine Operations

With all of the water surronding Hampton Roads, it is inevitable that emergencies will occur on the water.  Local public safety departments must be ready!  For the next four days, police and fire crews from all over Virginia will be taking part in search & rescue training conducted by the USCG.  I just happened by the marina this morning - the tunnel was backed up - and caught a glimpse of the crews getting started.