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Not sure where to start, or need more context? These seven case studies from landscapes throughout the West lay the groundwork for engaging communities in prescribed fire and smoke.
Photos + Graphics
Although prescribed fire practitioners and firefighters thoroughly enjoy pictures of flames, the general public isn’t always as excited—fire can be frightening. However, when used well, photos of in-progress burns can work to allay public concern and build trust.
Fire and folks.
“Photos of active burn operations that visually convey expertise, teamwork and safety can build trust in the people applying good fire to the ground. Pairing fire shots with photography focused on restoration and the recreational value of forests promotes a more positive and balanced user response.”
See Audience + Messaging and Flyers + Mailers for more information.
Best Practices for Photos + Graphics
Create meaning and mood.
Review TELE Engagement Guide Section 6.2 for a helpful primer on selecting high-quality, authentic imagery.
Plan and prioritize photography.
At every step of your work, determine how (not if) you’ll visually document it. Create simple processes to name, catalog and retrieve your images. You needn’t always have a professional photographer on hand, though when feasible, it’s certainly preferable. Modern smartphones capture high-quality images that are successfully implemented in print and digital media campaigns of all shapes and sizes. If your photographer is not a professional, be mindful of not assigning them too many (or any) other jobs when they are capturing imagery. The key to getting usable results from non-professionals is quantity over quality: the more photos are taken, the better the chances of getting a handful of surprisingly great shots.
Resources for Photos + Graphics
Prescribed Fire Image Library
Copyright and Usage
Put Fire to Work has begun to compile photos and graphics of prescribed fire, recreation and forest restoration in Washington and Oregon. All imagery is available for free download when used in educational materials. Image names include the appropriate information for the required photographer/artist credit line. Please note that commercial use of any images is strictly prohibited.