Summary
Fire photography is the act of taking photographs of firefighting operations. People who practise this form of photography are called fire photographers.
Since fire photography involves being close to dangerous situations, fire photographers must have special skills and knowledge about emergency incident scenes, operations, health, and safety.[1] Fire photographers are often required to wear firefighter protective equipment.[2]
Uses of fire photography edit
The work of fire photographers encompasses multiple applications. These include:
- Investigation
- Training
- Fire prevention
- Occupational health and safety
- Post-incident analysis
- Improvement of the public's view on emergency work
- Strengthening of sense of belonging for firefighters
Involvement with fire departments edit
Fire photographers may or may not be directly employed by fire departments.[3][4][5] They provide a specialized photography service which may involve a fee per photograph. Access to safety perimeters can be an issue for fire photographers, thus they usually develop good relationships with their local fire department to improve access to fire scenes. Such access may, at the fire department's discretion, require additional training or other arrangements.[6] Large departments do often have professional photo service units, such as those in New York City and Chicago.
Certification edit
A formal fire photographer certification process is being drafted by the International Organization of Fire Photography.[7] The intent of this certification is to attest that an individual has sufficient training, skills and knowledge in relevant areas (health & safety, firefighting operations, etc.) to operate within a safe perimeter of an emergency incident scene.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Phillips, Chris, Fire Photography, archived from the original on 2008-03-16, retrieved 2008-02-26
- ^ Nicolas, Landry, Fire photographers in action, Journal Le Reflet, retrieved 2008-02-26
- ^ Goldberg, Michael. "Volunteer firefighter doubles as emergency scene photographer". The Reporter. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- ^ "FDNY Photo Unit". Archived from the original on 2016-07-01. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ^ "Official Chicago Fire department photo unit site". chicagoareafire.com. Retrieved 2023-07-02.
- ^ Beattie, Chris. "Next on scene: First-response photographer's pictures attract widespread attention". McKinney Courier-Gazette. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
- ^ "Fire Photo- The World of Fire Photography". firephotography.com. Archived from the original on 2014-02-27.
External links edit
- International Fire Photographers Association archived
- Incident Response
- Fire Service Photography
- Connecticut Fire Photographers Association
- Southern California Fire Network