2019 Ruck for the Fallen

This morning I was in Oakesdale, Washington shooting photos at the Ruck for the Fallen. It is a charity event dedicated to those in the military and first responders. As taken from their facebook page:

“‘Ruck for the Fallen’ is dedicated to our pledge of supporting our lost heroes. Our goal of unwavering support is achieved by raising funds for families who have lost a first responder, an active military member or veteran in the line of duty or who are experiencing mental, emotional and physical effects incurred by the risks they face every day.”

I used both my Canon 7D with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens and my Canon 70D with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM prime lens.

I tried to get photos as people left and returned from the Ruck. Today there was a 3.1 mile and a 6.2 mile course. A number of people participated in the event. Because I was trying to get photos of everyone who was involved I have decided to upload the majority of my photos. I shot approximately 700 photos between the two cameras. A number of them were at the concert that was held after the event. That was a great challenge. The lighting was great for the concert but not the easiest for shooting photos. Many of the photos have a strong blue tint. That is due to the color of the lights that were in use.

The event was a very nice event for the local community and they hope to do it again next year.

This is the largest gallery of photos I have placed in a single post.

3rd Annual Pullman Firefighters – 2019 Fireman’s Ball

On Saturday, February 9th, 2019 the 3rd Annual Fireman’s Ball was held at the SEL Event Center in Pullman, Washington. This event is put on by the Pullman Firefighters to raise funds to help individuals who are affected by emergencies.

I was asked to take photographs for the event. It was set up in two areas. One was to do “couples” photos and the other was just candid shots from the event.

My setup was the solid black background hanging free. It was illuminated with two light boxes. I didn’t have as much light as I would have liked. I didn’t use a flash just the light boxes. I used my Canon 6D with a 50mm prime f/1.2 lens. I wanted to ensure I had a good depth of field so I used f/8. Even with a speed of 1/60th of a second for the shutter I was forced to increase the ISO setting to 1000. Way higher than I would have liked but the best I could do with the other settings and the lack of lighting. I just need more light boxes or other lighting without the flash. I have been unhappy with the flash near the camera due to the shadowing I get on my backgrounds. Maybe I just need the umbrella flash system. Nonetheless they are not terrible but they are not as sharp as I would have liked.

This was also the first time to do real “couples” photos. So I see some things I would do differently next time. I allows people to get into their own poses. I didn’t scrutinize anything but I think I will give some helpful tips for the next time around and stage people better.

For the candid shots I was in a darker room. I used both the Canon 70D and 6D camera. The 70D had a 18-135mm zoom. The 6D had the 50mm prime lens. Both cameras had external flashes with a light diffuser. Both had ISO settings into the 1000-1600 range. I think overall the candid shots turned out as good as I was going to get them with the lighting at hand. Again I think I could have done better with my flash usage and I will work on that in the future. I tried to make my way around to the tables and get some candid couples shots there too.

The event went very well. Lots of people showed up and they raised money for the cause.

Pete Martin’s Bronze Star Ceremony

This morning I had the opportunity to shoot photos at a ceremony for retired Coroner Peter J. Martin who had received a Bronze Star during the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, due to circumstances outside of his control, he was never officially awarded his Bronze Star, until today. Alfie Alvarado, Director, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, was in Pullman, Washington and officially pinned his Bronze Star. Larry Alcantara, with the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs, read the information about what Martin did to earn the Bronze Star. This was a wonderful ceremony and well deserved.

The room was at the SEL event center. I used my Canon 70D camera along with my Canon 70-200mm f/2.8l IS II USM lens to capture the photos. I used a flash to bounce off the wall behind me in order to get a little more light into the room.

All the photos were taken with f/4.5, 1/100 second shutter speed, and an ISO 800 setting. In spite of the crop factor the room was large enough for me to get some good photos of the ceremony.

Lieutenant Fisher’s Last Shift and Flag Ceremony

On January 29th, 2017 at 0800 Lieutenant Rudy Fisher walked into Pullman Fire Station 32 (the Deuce) for his final time as a member of the Pullman Fire Department. 24-hours later Lt. Fisher would be given the flag that was flying over the station in a ceremony performed by the Pullman Fire Honor Guard. The flag was handed to Lt. Fisher by Chief Mike Heston.

Lt. Fisher along with Firefighters McPherson, Gibbons, and Krieger worked his final shift on the north side of Pullman answering calls for service.

During the day I had the opportunity to shoot some photos with Lt. Fisher and his wife, Lisa. We took the photoshoot to Station 31 to include the men working there. Captain Reiber, Firefighters Gollnick, Erickson, and Branson where covering the south part of Pullman.

All the members of both stations took part in the photoshoot. I have included a hand full of the photos.

At 0800 on January 30th, 2017 Lt. Fisher’s final shift came to an end. The Honor Guard marched to the flag pole, lowered the American Flag, folded it, and it was ultimately presented to Lt. Fisher.

Again I was on hand to take photos of the Flag Ceremony and the celebration that took place afterwards in the Deuce. This was a great opportunity for people to congratulate Lt. Fisher on his retirement. Several retired firefighters made their way to the celebration. I tried to get as many photos as I could with newly-retired Lt. Fisher and the people in attendance.

Nearly a quarter-century, on February 10, 1992, Rudy Fisher was hired as a city of Pullman Firefighter by the late Chief Pat Wilkins. When Rudy was hired the main fire station on South Grand was the career station. The Deuce was the reserve station. That all changed in 2005 when WSU stopped providing their own fire services and started to use the City of Pullman Fire Department. At that time the Deuce was made into a career and reserve fire station. At the same time Lieutenants were added to the rank of firefighters. Rudy was selected as one of the first three Lieutenants of Pullman Fire.

I had the opportunity ask Rudy some questions about his quarter-century run at being a city of Pullman Firefighter.

My first question is the typical question that many people ask. Why did you want to be a firefighter? He said “First of all I wanted to help others in a time of need. I wanted a challenge and I loved the problem solving aspect that this career choice offered every day.”

Of all the events, calls, and activities what one(s) sticks out in his mind? Rudy responded by saying “Infants and young children calls left the most lasting impressions on me. Creative activities by the student population are too numerous to list but did make me chuckle and / or scratch my head in amazement.”

Firefighters seem to have a favorite apparatus and Rudy was no different. I had a feeling that I already knew the answer before I asked, but I wanted to know what his favorite apparatus was. He said “The H & W (E32) was the first Red Engine in the fleet. It looked great and was very user friendly.” That was the engine we used to base the crew photos during the photoshoot. It also happens to be the engine Rudy requested for that purpose.

For anyone thinking about becoming a firefighter Rudy suggests “You need to have thick skin, roll with the punches, adapt and overcome, be patient, and have a passion to help others.”

I asked Rudy to look back at the Pullman Fire Department he joined 25 years ago compared to today. I then asked what he thought was the most important/best change that had taken place. Rudy said “Transitioning from a BLS (Basic Life Support) service to ALS (Advanced Life Support) [emergency medical] service.” Rudy was there for the transition and saw the difference that a paramedic can make in the positive outcome when someone is in dire straits.

Finally I asked Rudy if there was anything he would like to add, say as words or wisdom, or give a farewell statement. Rudy closed by saying “I believe a person should stand up for what’s right and true. Be accountable for your actions. Learn how to think and not what to think. Treasure your friends and family as time goes by really fast. Never regret a day in your life: good days give happiness, bad days give experience, worst days give lessons, and best days give memories.”

Thank you Lt. Rudy Fisher for your service to the City of Pullman and surrounding communities.