Some like it hot
I know it's hard to believe, but summer is coming. With summer comes the threat of bushfire. This season is likely to be the first in 30-odd years where I won't be expected to be in the thick of it to get photos. Fires have probably provided the most intense experiences of my photographic career ... and also the most spectacular images.
February 1998. Roundhill, Burnie Tasmania. Canon EOS 1n, 17-35mm Kodak 400 (shutter and aperture unknown)
A quiet Sunday shift at The Advocate Newspaper saw journalist Sharee Smith and I follow a fire truck to what was a relatively small grass fire on the outskirts of town. What transpired next I will never forget. The wind picked up suddenly, there was a roar ... similar to the sound of full reverse thrust of a 747 ... and then all hell broke loose.
Flames twice the height of a telegraph pole raced toward the single fire truck (and the firefighters trying to get out of harms way). The single lane gravel road (being devoid of vegetation) became our escape route. Embers were raining down as I retreated ... shooting all the while. The adrenaline was surging.
February 1998. Roundhill, Burnie Tasmania. Canon EOS 1n, 17-35mm Kodak 400 (shutter and aperture unknown)
Quite coincidentally, in the weeks before, Sharee and I had just completed Tas Fire Service media training on how to stay safe in bushfire situations. Neither of us thought it would be put to use so soon (or so close to town) but I for one, was glad of the training.
The situation escalated very quickly from this point. The wind increased and the fire starting spotting in thick vegetation all over the hill. Properties and people were threatened. Emergency services were arriving in numbers.
I have no idea how long we were in there for ... time became irrelevant.
I have never been so nervous about loading films into a processor (accidents happen, things go wrong. Films fall off racks, get lost in the bottom of developer tanks...) I was pretty sure I had some great images ... the wait was excruciating ... finally. Yes! The relief when the films emerged, well exposed and sharp was immense. That sense of anticipation is something that is missing in today's digital age, where you can check your LCD and know you have the shot.
Thankfully no-one was hurt.
My photos and Sharee's stories went on to win their categories at the Tasmanian Media Awards and jointly we won the Keith Welsh Award for services to journalism (the highest award in Tasmanian media).