eclipse over the embers
This shot was taken last year. We had a fire on Cove mountain, which is on the boundaries of the Great Smoky Mountains. The fire had burnt for a good 5days, winds were up to 50mph. On this particular night, as they were finally getting the fire contained, and we were having a lunar eclipse.
I took off over to that area , in hopes the eclipse would be over the fires, to my luck it was.
I stood in a field down below, winds high, pitch black, and Cold! getting shots of this historical event
I sent this shot to our local newspaper, they were going to run a story on it, and me. Of course I was so excited about this, told everyone!! Well it turned out the shot was too dark for print for a newspaper. I tried to get them to use some other shots I had done, but some unfortunately were alittle too blurry, and this was the shot they wanted to run on the paper.
To date it was one of the most crushing experiences of my life with my photography. I bashed myself for a long time for not “shooting it right” , racking my brain trying to figure out, what exactly i did wrong. Did I use the right SS, or should have used Apt mode..what? After checking my stats on the shot, I did shoot it correctly, it still didnt help soothe that deep wound within me. I mean I was probably the only photographer who captured history being made…twice…the lunar eclipse and the fire on the mountains. This shot would have been my big break for being noticed.
The “lights” you see on this shot, are hot spots where the fires are. The fire had started on one mountain, due to some guy who burnt his trash, his fire got alittle out of control so the FD had to be called in. They didnt get all of it out, the fire was in the underbrush, a couple of days later we had winds clocked at 50mph come thru, this got the fire started up again and caused it to jump over to another mountain. On the top of that mountain some rental cabins burnt (which I was a ok with..they dont belong up there!) No one was hurt in this fire thank god, but I was hoping that this fire so close to my mountains was a sign..hey you are getting to close and stop the building.
What they have done a year later, was rebuild the cabins and shaved off more trees to protect them…really pisses me off everytime I drive by and see it.
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Al Bourassa
Awesome shot. Great story.
Antanas
Great capture
whisperingruth
Wow Christopher . . . I think you did an excellent job with this one …...quite amazing, really . . .
eaglewatcher
Great shot
-don’t worry about being noticed – we all see how incredible your work isGabriele Swans...
outstanding shot Chris, what a great capture
micmac
It’s a great shot ,to bad for all those fires and having to cut more trees, it’s is terrible ,unconsciousness is everywhere.
Anthony Pierce
Well, it was a once in a lifetime event, and you were there! Working as a printer, I can see why it was too dark to print. When photos are printed on a printing press they will always have what is called “dot gain” basically it means that things will print a little heavier than the original. So that would make this image pretty much all black in some areas.
Don’t worry about it though. You got a great experience captured and you did get published in the paper eventually!
Tracey Bransfield
Wow….... never seen a shot like this one before Chris… pretty awesome.
dinghysailor1
Wow you do manage to be there recording the most amazing scenes – a lifetime capture as you say and just hope printing technology makes strides to catch up with you soon! AWESOME work!
Benjamin Young
WOw….
Michele Duncan...
Wow what a story. You really have a good capture in available lighting! Such a sad story to go along with this.
brian pendrey
awesome
Ellen
Impressive! (Thanks for your comments Chris, its always fun to read them. )
budrfli
Definitely one of your great shots!...and the story!...
anaphotography
Awesome photo!...great story…
LocoCow
Great Moon….
jlynn
Wow,, Perfect shot! Thank you for sharing the story.
Jellybean720
Good shot.. The moon looks amazing
Christopher E...
thanks so much everyone..sigh..i still wonder..what could i have done to have made this shot work! i had just gotten the canon, so was a debut for that! lol its ok..something else will come along im sure, just as historical as this was. i just dont want my mntns on fire again!! ill pass for that shot!
Lisa G. Putman
Gorgeous, Christopher. Just because it wasn’t right for the newspaper, doesn’t mean it’s not a great shot! Would be a great framed print hanging in local businesses, etc. I know all of us dream of having a big break. What about local art shows or galleries? You should continue marketing this one, it’s wonderful. A great moment in history!
AngelPhotozzz
Wow Chris now this awsome!!! Great job being a firefighter so many photographic opportunities! lol Fantastic work!
hcroft
Great capture Chris well done
H M Bascom
Extraordinary shot Christopher! Well done
Sherri Hamilton
Still as beautiful as ever….............. and don’t knock yourself, you’ve now been in the paper…........................... ; )
Daniela Weil
Magnific capture Christopher!
Charl045
AWww I’m so sorry you didn’t get your shot in the pap but I’m sure one day you will..You are an extraordinary photographer!! Obviously the ones who said “no”, don’t have an eye for what is real!.. And as far as building..someday we aren’t going to have anything beautiful to look at all in the name of the mighty buck!!
Helene Kippert
This is an amazing shot Chris – too bad it didn’t get the attention it deserved.
Neophytos
This is an amazing shot Chris – too bad it didn’t get the attention it deserved,and say all of us
Rosina Lamberti
Great capture
Kate Purdy
Wonderful.
Fiona MacNab
Fantastic shot and interesting story too.
Sharon Perrett
Wow stunning shot, so sorry the newswpaper couldn’t use it. I would have been crushed too but maybe the time wasn’t right for you…..... maybe you are meant for fame with a more spectacular shot. :))
Audrey French
What an amazing shot!! I love it.
Robin Fortin IPA
STUNNING WORK!!
Bridges
Neat shot Chris! Tonight there will be another eclipse, now, if you can just find a forrest fire!
Christopher E... replied
thanks bridges..and funny you mention that, our dept was called on 2 fires set by some kids probably, just as we finished one , within a minute we got a call there was another..of course on other end of town!! happy to say..both fires were put out quickly, but..sigh.it was too foggy here to get this years :( but thats ok..the way time flies…2010 will be here in NO time! lol
LindaR
Fantastic shot and feel for you after reading your story…I’m glad you posted here and could atleast get some acclaim you deserve ~ well done!
ferndesign
awesome capture love it
Cory Frantz
what an outstanding shot! nice work
Irish
AMAZING!
HydeSide
Great write up. The shot is superb!
Bel10
Fantastic Chris!!!!
Tara Sheffer-A...
This is a great shot!
rubes
This is a phenomenal photo. Christopher,maybe it’s not the same, but does the newspaper have an online presence? I assume if they did you’d be on their site with this one, but just thought I’d ask – it clearly works spectacularly onscreen! Thanks for sharing your experience with this – I know how disappointing it must have felt, but don’t be too hard on yourself. That would be pointless. I have a feeling there’ll be many, many more stunning photos.
Linda Syms
Beautiful capture Christopher.
Spiritinme
YOU are amazing, as is your work. This one makes me very jealous, as capturing the moon is such a problem for me. Stunning portfolio….love your art!
Mike Davitt
Great capture
Joanne Bradley
This is a brilliant capture! So sorry to hear that the newspaper would not carry it.
nzmartina
Not bad for a purist! (Just joking) A wonderful shot that deserves all the favourable comments