I don't normally do this sort of stuff but several fire trucks passed by me yesterday, so I followed them to shoot some of the goings on. Actually the story is mine too but they didn't credit me that way. Fortunately we have weatherproof cameras as it was raining when these shots were taken.

Sorta fun to see your name in print.

The Guardian Charlottetown

[daacon]

Congrats Peter - there is no 'bad press' as they say. Great shot - so does Photo courtesy of Peter Tzagarakis mean they said thanks for playing and don't let the door hit your a$$ on the way out

I know what you mean when I see a siren form a police cruiser or firetruck and I have my gear I am always tempted to follow - but have not ..... yet anyway.

[Peter Zack]

Dave, it's a freebie, but as my little business is growing here, a little press can't hurt. I know what you mean though and don't quite feel right when someone else is having a very bad day. Sure wouldn't do this for a living. I asked some questions around and could sense a real distance from the neighbours. Journalists and politicians are held in similar regard I think.

Funny thing was there was a big house fire near my place in November and I went up with the K10D. The cops wouldn't let me near the place. So this time I took both the K10 and K20 with long glass on both. Both cameras with grips attached. This time the cops thought I was a reporter and let me get close.

I guess size does matter.

[flippedgazelle]

Great that you were able to get the shots, but I feel bad for the family involved.

[Peter Zack]

Me too. But fortunately there was only one resident. A guy about my age. These things are very tough on kids and none lived here. The owner got out safely too. If there were serious injury involved, I'd put the camera in the car and offer to help if I could (I've taken a few weeks of fire school) or just stay the heck out of the rescuers way while they work.

I'd make a lousy local beat reporter that does this stuff every day.

[Sailor]

Great shots, Peter. Now that you're famous, I can say "I knew him back when".

Jer

[Peter Zack]

Hey it happened a second time in 2 days. You can see the story here This time they published my web page. I better brush up on my writing skills, they ran my story as well. I got there just as the truck was arriving this time.

The editor called me this time and I might be a spare photographer for the paper. Too cool.

[Jimbo]

Right place right time. Nicely done Peter. JIM

[AlphaGAK20D]

Great stuff, Peter! Congrats on the nice shots as well as the oppt to gain a bit more recognition for your work.

[Venturi]

Way to go, Peter! Great shots and coverage

[MrEspie]

Well done, Peter! Just don't be in the right place at the right time too often: they might get suspicious!

[Mann]

Congratulations, Peter. Ooh, working for the paper would be so good.

[rparmar]

Well done, Peter! Just don't be in the right place at the right time too often: they might get suspicious!

Anyone with a Pentax is suspicious already!

Congrats Peter on making a mark!

[Miserere]

Lemme get this right: Within the space of two days, you have been close to two fires...and you just happened to have your camera gear with you.. If it happens again this week I'm going to consider you a badluck omen and not let you anywhere near my house!

Good job on the pics, though. I especially like the fireman inside the cloud of smoke from the 2nd "incident".

[Peter Zack]

Thanks everyone.

Yes we Pentax shooters are a suspicious bunch Actually my home is not too far off the main road going into town and the FD has to drive right through the area to get to many scenes. So for the fun of it I followed them both times.

During the second one, I got a chance to talk to the firefighters and they love having somebody shooting them while they are working. So I'll take all the shots down to the firehall and give the guys printed copies and a CD. I bet I'll get lots of calls to follow them from now on.

As a sidebar the paper called me after the second one to discuss doing some freelance work. We have the Canada Games here this summer and they need good shooters. I'm not much of a sports shooter but if I can get my hands on a K-7 for the AF and frame rate before the games in mid August, then it should be easier. But the K20D tracks pretty well at the few events I've tried it at.

Now if I can just con Marc Langille into 'loaning' me his FA*300mm f2.8......

Yeah Mis that's me the 'artistic' photo-journalist.