I set this shot up about a month ago, just to play with lights and setups. The clay pigeons are resting on elevated glass. I was trying to archive a floating appearance. I haven't invested in any 'real' photography lights. Instead I found a few cheap (6.95 each) adjustable work lights at the local farm supply store. I mounted 1 of the fixtures with a 60 watt incandescent bulb low and behind the setup. I then placed 2 more fixtures with 200 watt bulbs above and tested different angles. I also used large pieces of white poster board to bounce light into the shadows. I have no idea if any of this is the 'right' way to do things, but I kinda liked the results, especially for the first time I experimented with this. Any thoughts or ideas you have that might make things easier and/or provide better results would greatly be appreciated!

Photo © by Allen Murray

FCSAR Ice Rescue

Members of Floyd County Search and Rescue practice ice rescue near Rudd, Iowa, on Feb. 26, 2006. Click here for more photos from the training.

Photo © by Allen Murray

This was a fun shoot, despite it being cold, wet, and slippery. The ice on the lake was 10-12 inches thick, which I am told is plenty thick to walk on. However, the ever-persistent creaking and occasional sharp cracks coming from the ice below had me questioning how long it would before this training exercise turned into an actual rescue. A hole in the ice approximately 6 x 10 feet with 17 feet of water below provided an adequate training area. Members of search and rescue, wearing yellow Mustang Survival suits, learned and practiced self rescue, victim rescue, and rescues involving the inflatable Rapid Deployment Craft (RDC). For a handful of the rescuers, this was their first time in the suits and in the water.

The last two weekends I have had the opportunity to tag along with Floyd County Search and Rescue (see previous post) while they participated in training exercises. They are a very dedicated group of volunteers, sacrificing time on weekends away from their families to sharpen their skills and strengthen the team. Often times the services emergency workers provide are taken for granted and little thought is put into how much “behind the scenes” work goes into being prepared for life's unpredictable disasters.

If nothing else, I hope my photos help remind all of use how important these people are and how lucky we are to have rescuers and first responders available when we are in need.

Photo © by Allen Murray

St. Ansger Rescue Training

A St. Ansger fireman rushes a victim out of the smoke-filled school during a training exercise.

Emergency responders face multiple challenges

At 2:08 PM on Sunday, February 19^th, St. Ansgar Police Chief Lance Shuttjer receives a citizen’s report of a possible medical problem in the gymnasium of the St. Ansgar Middle School. Mitchell County Communications Center dispatches St. Ansgar Rescue. Upon arrival, first responders encounter thick smoke throughout the school and request assistance from St. Ansgar Fire Department. Victims lay in the dense smoke; some motionless, others screaming. In this small town of 900 people, word of the school explosion travels quickly. Parents, concerned for their child’s safety, rush to the scene. About a half mile away a small car rolls into a steep ditch coming to rest on its roof. All four occupants are trapped inside. The emergency responders now face multiple challenges in not one, but two critical incidents.

In the end everyone, ‘victims’ included, leave the scene unharmed. It is all part of a well orchestrated training exercise designed to prepare firefighters, EMTs, first responders, and other emergency personal in dealing with life-threatening situations while making split-second decisions.

Marty Partcher, a Charles City Firefighter and director of Floyd County Search and Rescue coordinated the training scenario. Assisting Partcher in the day’s activities were several members of Floyd County Search and Rescue.

Click here for additional photos from the training exercise.

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Photo © by Allen Murray

Charles City House Fire

An early morning blaze completely destroyed a Charles City, Iowa, home. The homeowner and his family escaped without injuries. The state fire marshal's office is currently investigating the cause, however preliminary reports indicate a wood burning stove may be to blame.

The family woke to the smell of smoke, evacuated the home, and reported the fire from a neighbor's house. The call was dispatched at 6:12 with fire units arriving at 6:16. This photo was taken at 6:28.

Click on the photo to view more photos from this fire.

Photos © by Allen Murray

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The Charles City (Iowa) Fire Department's Rapid Intervention Team truck is being utilized during a recent 'all-call' fire involving a fully engulfed home in one of the city's north side neighborhoods.

Click on the photo to view more photos from this fire.

Photos © by Allen Murray

Pictures from the past

Since my blog is brand new I have decided to post a hand full of photos from the last year or so. I didn't add any personal information to the post, just a quick description. As always any feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks for stopping by!!

Running Water

Well water runs from a tap in Idlewild Park near Floyd, Iowa.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Cameron In The Snow

Cameron Murray, 6, sleds on the hills of Wildwood Park in Charles City, Iowa, after a fresh snowfall.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Black Over White

A blanket of new snow and an old bike rack creates a strong contrasting image across from the Lion’s Field Swimming Pool in Charles City, Iowa.

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Photos © by Allen Murray

Sign Of The Past

A "Fallout Shelter" sign hangs near the front doors of City Hall in Charles City, Iowa.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Portrait: Ashley Orcutt

Ashley Orcutt, 17, poses for pictures at Wildwood Park in Charles City, Iowa.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

The Suspension Bridge

The Suspension Bridge, also known as the swinging bridge, was built in 1906 in Charles City, Iowa. The bridge is 467 feet long.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Reaching For Rain

A dead tree standing in an empty field seems to be reaching into the clouds, possibly looking for signs of rain and moisture.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Built In America

The American flag decorates a Minneapolis Moline “tractor of the future” prototype, owned by Harold Swartzrock of Charles City.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Old and Tired

An old, tired crane finds its final resting place under a large tree.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Training From Above

Charles City firefighters keep the heat and flames under control during structure fire training in Greene, Iowa.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Rehydrating

Cameron Murray, 5, of Charles City, Iowa, gets a cool drink of water during Central Preschool’s year-end picnic at Lion’s Field Park.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

In Battle

A German solider tries to hold off American troops during a WWII reenactment as part of Charles City Military History Days.
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Photo © by Allen Murray

Mutual Aid

A devastating fire at the Stardust Lanes in Nora Springs, Iowa, required the assistance from several neighboring fire departments. Shown here are members of the Nora Springs Fire Department and Charles City Fire Department.

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Photo © by Allen Murray

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Making Adjustments

Charles City fireman Eric Whipple tends to the department’s aerial truck during a fire at Stardust Lanes in Nora Springs, Iowa.



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Photo © by Allen Murray

Dam Controls (At Night)

The Main Street Dam, Cedar River, Charles City, Iowa.


This photo was actually taken with my first digital camera. It was a cheap Olympus point and shot with very little control over the settings. I have been meaning to shoot this again with my new Fujifilm, but haven’t got around to it yet.

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Photo © by Allen Murray