Photographically, I have a lot of weaknesses. Some, I just totally avoid so I know I’ll never get past them. Others, I really want to move past and the only way I know of doing that is pounding away at failure. Photographing the single, static aircraft is pretty simple for me and when there is some natural drama going on in the light or weather, it’s a slam dunk. But that is the rare event, not the common, everyday ramp experience. So then bringing a story to a bald sky is the challenge and often, I turn to multiple items to bring a story to a parked plane. And that’s where the weakness smacks me in the face. Arranging multiple items in a way that looks like someone didn’t just arrangement these items who has no clue is my issue. Be it multiple aircraft or in this case, a plane, WWII Harley & Jeep, it’s instant frustration for me!
I started with the Stinson OY-1 Observation plane. Parking it where I wanted it was was simple. Then came the Harley. Now we’re pushing all of equipment into place and I’m not part of that we. I’m standing where I think I’m going to put the D750 / 24-70VR looking at the Stinson, where the sun is going to come up, the story in my head and when asked if this is where I want the Harley, I said, “Yes!” But in reality, I haven’t a clue. Then comes the Jeep which has a dead battery so yep, pushing it into place. With the three items in place, the guys go back where it’s warm and I stand and stare and say in my head, yuck! The Texas Flying Legends Museum have some amazing history on display but I’m failing and making a story come to life. I then start moving the vehicles about looking at the possibilities, I look at the light and I start moving the Harley and then the Jeep. Brent is with me so I have his youth to help arrange. What you see here is the best I could do but I’m not even satisfied. Angling the Harley, turning the Jeep, they look like a gaggle and not a story. It’s going to bug me and hopefully next month I’ll come up with a mental picture that I do like. But doin reshoots never sits well with me. But that’s how I battle a weakness.