How we captured this photo of Chicago's first responders honoring a fallen comrade
This week’s top photo comes from Visual Journalist Anthony Vazquez. Follow him on Instagram.
What makes this photo great?
The death of a first responder is a profound loss — they risk their lives daily, never knowing if they’ll return home.
This image captures a moment of collective mourning: fellow first responders and Red Cross volunteers stand in solemn salute, lining both sides of the road as the ambulance passes. Its flashing lights, muted in tribute, guide Chicago Fire Department Capt. David Meyer’s final journey.
Above them, the red and white stripes of the American flag wave, symbolizing the service and sacrifice they made for their community. This is a final, powerful act of respect.
How did you get the shot?
During the procession, the ambulance carrying the fallen moves quickly—you only get one moment to capture it. Planning the angle is critical.
Before the ambulance arrived, I tested different positions to visualize potential shots. My goal was to frame three elements: the salute of fellow first responders, the ambulance transporting their fallen colleague, and the American flag overhead. Noticing space behind the flag bearers, I crouched low to position the flag as a backdrop.
This angle allowed me to layer all three components—saluting hands, the passing ambulance, and the flag—into a single, cohesive tribute to Meyer’s service.
Technical details:
- Equipment: Canon EOS R5 with a RF35mm F1.8 macro lens
- Focal length: 35mm
- Aperture: f/1.8
- Exposure: 1/200
- ISO: 1250
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