<?php
$array = array(1,4,5); //image positions in the db I would like to check
shuffle($array);
$rand = rand(1,3)-1;//index of array
$imageNo = $array[$rand];
//should this be done in the controller?
$found=false;
   foreach($array as $a=>$v){
      if (!empty(${'field_'.$v.'_image'})){
         $imageNo = $v;
      }
   }
?>
   <?php 
   for($i=0;$i<3;$i++){
   if (!empty(${'field_'.$imageNo.'_image'})&&!$found): ?>
        <div class="profile-image">
        <?php if (!empty($link)) { ?><a href="<?php echo $link; ?>"><?php } ?>
        <img src="<?php echo ${'field_'.$imageNo.'_image'}->src; ?>" width="<?php echo ${'field_'.$imageNo.'_image'}->width; ?>" height="<?php echo ${'field_'.$imageNo.'_image'}->height; ?>" alt="<?php echo ${'field_'.$imageNo.'_image_altText'}; ?>" />
        <?php if (!empty($link)) { ?></a><?php } ?>
        </div>
    <?php 
      $found=true;
   endif; 
   }
   ?>