The official fire trucks for the Salt Lake 2002 winter games

Sometimes when working for a client, you get rewarded with sweet assignments. Back in 2002, Pierce was the official fire truck sponsor for the winter olympics in Salt Lake City. I was sent out there … before the games … to create some images of the trucks (there were three) with special graphics. Additionally, I was to create an environmental portrait of the heads of the security team.

This first image shows one of the official fire trucks for the Salt Lake 2002 winter games. The graphics department at Pierce designed each unit to represent a different event. All were heavily laden with the stars and stripes and red, white, and blue.

the official fire truck for the Salt Lake 2002 winter games
I photographed this rear-mounted aerial ladder with a view of the sky slopes. Larry Shapiro photo

This portrait included the group that was overseeing security for the games.  Visible in the background is the ski jump. This was clearly shot with very harsh, end of day lighting. The shadows are very long indicating a sun that was low in the sky as does the overall warmth of the color tones. Without any supplemental light modifiers or strobes, the main subject was turned to create split lighting on his face. This way he is not squinting and the half light half shadow provides for good definition. If I was closer and he was larger in the frame, his eyes would appear too dark, but from this distance it is not at all evident.

the official fire truck for the Salt Lake 2002 winter games
This shot with the engine features the head of security very prominently with hians staff in a lesser position. Larry Shapiro photo

I would really have liked to come away with one of those jackets.