#2 Tip – Smile

The Blue Angels captured by D3x / 200-400VR
The Blue Angels captured by D3x / 200-400VR
MANG C-130 captured by Z 9 / Z70-200f2.8
F-22 Raptor captured by D3 / 70-200f2.8
The other commonality was the light. Starting with these two benchmarks is a challenge in itself then comes the additional challenge of “improving.” Making this come together means working the connections, obtaining access and the most important element, time, to make it all come together. I wrap that all up in a favorite phrase of mine, planned luck. If I do it right and the stars align, I’ll be looking forward to some one on one time!
Tammie Helo pilot captured by D5 / 14-24f2.8
It’s Women of aviation worldwide week bringing much deserved attention to this dedicated, talented and very skilled group of pilots. They include today’s pilot making a huge difference like Tammie flying a Medevac. It all started in 1910 with Blanche “Betty” Stuart Scott inspiring all who would come after her. Many know of Amela Earhart but what about Bessie Coleman or Katherin Stinson? You probably have heard of the WASPs but what about the 99 Club? This doesn’t even dust off the tip of the spear, there are thousands and thousands out there. This includes those protecting our freedoms! We thank you all for your passion, skill and talent this week and everyday!!!
AZ Ground Crew napping under B-17 “Sentimental Journey” captured by D750 / 24-70f2.8
Kermit Week’s A-26B Invader 12.27.12 captured by D4 / 24-70f2.8
Well the A-26B Invader just made its 30 minute shake down flight two weeks ago. That’s eleven years from when the photograph above was taken. The video of the test flight is below which is very cool to watch. The amazing Steve Hinton is at the controls. When you get the hunger for working on a project, there are lots out there that could use your skill and passion. Just remember though, it just take time.
Seriously I didn’t! I heard it though, those throaty engines you can hear from a long way off. I was literally lying in the sand having a great time photographing shorebirds like the Sanderling and Black-belied Plover below. Planes weren’t even on my mind, just birds. But then I heard the C-130 which we had seen a couple of days prior flying really low as we ate breakfast. With the sound, I took my eye from the viewfinder and saw it was coming right down the beach in our direction. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to stand up fast enough to make the shot and I wanted the shot so, I went into aviation photographer mode for a moment. I had to get my shutter speed down and fast to get prop blur. I needed to change AF mode. I cranked the aperture down to f/40 giving me 1/30 and I hit the i button and switched to AAAF. I then put the BIG bird in the viewfinder and until my chin was a couple inches in the sand panning with it, I shot. It’s a fun, simple shot I like and afterward, went right back to the little birds. The moral, gotta be prepared because often in photography, we didn’t see that coming!