May 2, 2011 | Aviation
In seeking that knowledge, when I meet someone who has a lot and is willing to share, I’m a leach! You better light that cigarette because you’re going to have to burn me off when you start talking history. Those who know me know how I love US history and man, did I fall into a great peak at that history. What you see here is the interior of a B-24 Liberator, a plane that still flies (though not flying right this moment), as it has been since the 1940 when it was built. Other then some nose art for a part is played in a movie, it’s has it always has been, a time capsule of an era long ago. If you’re not aware of the B-24, I highly recommend you read The Wild Blue which is a great read!
World, say hi to Paul, the man who not only shared his passion for this great piece of history, but took us behind the scenes to see and photograph it. One of the true highlights of my weekend was to get to know Paul, hear so many stories and learn so much. Part of the restoration team at Fantasy of Flight (at it for 21yrs), Paul is use to the planes being the focus of attention. He is not use to the camera being pointed at him. But after having the tour of the B-24 and seeing him beam with pride for this aircraft, I had to make a portrait of him. With those giant hangar doors open and all that indirect light, it was a no-brainer when it comes to lighting. Getting him in front of the prop, arms folded and feeling comfortable, that was a little bit of challenge. It only took moments but I’m sure it felt like a lifetime but I like how it turned out. The ironic thing for me, I had just purchased and had rushed down to me the LumiQuest Softbox for just a scenario. And of all the images I made this day, this portrait is my favorite and that has nothing to do with technical merits, it never does. It’s because of the relationship made with the subject. Be it rock or tree, rabbit or bird, plane or person, it is that relationship that makes a photograph special!
Photos captured by D3x, 24f1.4 AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
May 2, 2011 | Aviation
Yeap, another plane photo, one of my favorites, the J2F-6 Duck. It was flying in for our workshop as it was one of our air to air subjects as you’ll see later this week. I still consider myself very new to aviation photography starting my forth year. While I know basically every bird in North America, after 30yrs of pursuing them, I figure I’d best. Knowledge is power and when it comes to photography, the power is knowing what is need to tell the visual story. Such is not the case for my aviation photography. Just like photography a person, a critter or a landscape, aircraft have stories as well that range from their development to those who flew them. I am constantly asking questions trying to learn more for the simple reason, I know it will improve my photography. How much reading and asking questions about your favorite genre of photography do you do that is not f/stop & shutter speed related? What did I learn at this moment?,/p>
The Duck’s wings have a canvas covering, it’s not wood or metal. That canvas doesn’t do well sitting in the FL sun, it dries out and can in three years become unsafe to fly with. So one of the important yet simple things that has to be done to take care of the Duck is park it inside. My personal challenge is to first learn this information and then depict it in a photograph telling that story. How much of the history of your subject do you know when you go click? If you don’t know much, has you ever considered that perhaps, if the photo didn’t turn out the way you’d like, it could be effecting your photography? If you’ve followed my writings then this phrase probably seems familiar. Using biology and combining it with technology to get the photograph is key to my wildlife photography. This formula to some applies to just my wildlife photography where in reality, it applies to all my photography. Knowledge is power!
Photos captured D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
May 2, 2011 | Aviation
Would it strike you as funny that I look at a lot and I mean a lot, of food photography? The fact I’m always looking at fashion photography might though but then you don’t know what I’m looking at. What about sports, illustration, commercial just a few other genres of photography I’m constantly looking at and more importantly, learning from other disciplines then wildlife photography. I am always amazed and at times quite disappointed when talking with photographers and they have a closed mind to looking at other photography then what they enjoy. With so many people on this planet and with each having their own take on life, how can we not help but learn by engaging in conversation with those we find interesting. We shouldn’t take anything for granted and while I’m as guilty of this as the next, I do recognize and try not to be. If you’ve stuck with me this far into the blog, I thank you and have a further challenge then for you.
We spent an ~amazing~ weekend at Fantasy of Flight which played host for our latest Air2Air Workshops. We arrived on Friday in time for the 1:30 demo flight, the featured plane was the Storch. This cook, German WWII observation plane has the ability to basically stop in the air, flying at less then 25mph. Panning skill really not as important with this moving target as handholding skill. But if you are observant and a constant Moose Blog reader, you might notice a little resemblance in the attitude of the Storch compared to a photograph posted not too long ago of a Swainson’s Hawk. Everything from attitude of the plane to lighting is in fact very similar. I get constant emails from photographers asking how can they improve their panning skills. Practice is key and I have always recommended heading to a local duck pond with unbuttered popcorn and have someone throw it up for the gulls and try to make a great flight image. Well, want more advance practice/training, then head to the local airport and try the same thing. There is so much to learn, so little time and even less to but it all to practice. Make the most of every minute and your photography will reward you.
Photo captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Apr 11, 2011 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP6572.swf, 595, 484 [/swf]
Our 29 April Air2Air at Fantasy of Flight has an opening. This is a very special event because we are scheduled to photograph the famous Kermit Week’s P-51C “Red Tail.” And you’ll comeback with the shots because we’re there helping you every click of the way. We cover gear, techniques, finishing and most importantly, how to bring the romance of flight into your images.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP675111.swf, 595, 484 [/swf]
And the Tri-Motor and Duck you see here, we’ll be photographing these exact planes as well. But not just as statics but air to air. We will have access to the majority of the planes at Fantasy of Flight to shoot as statics with some surprises in the air. This will be an amazing workshop. If interested, need more details or simple wanna sign up, give Sharon a call at 760.924.8632.
Mar 30, 2011 | Aviation
We had some great light the last minutes of the shoot so we put KT to work. This is the great lady at Stallion 51 who made the afternoon possible for us. I very sweet lady who was all too happy to get in WWII WAC clothing and pose for us with the T-6. This is straight shot from the camera. As simple as can be, my kinda shooting.
When I made this click, I was telling the group I was thinking B&W, making a click that is very similar of those shot in the ’40s of WACs doing their pride in their work. And it just brings my point back into the spot light. If KT hadn’t had faith that letting a photographic come to their planes (a first for them), we wouldn’t have been there. Without her putting on this great period clothing and posing, we wouldn’t have this brief window back in time. It’s the people that make this aviation, photography and world special. Can’t thank KT & Willie enough for bringing this point home for me today.
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 30, 2011 | Aviation
We headed to Stallion 51 for our sunset shoot where the folks at Stallion 51 rolled out the red carpet for us, literally! KT & Willie couldn’t have done more us, rolling out a L-39, P-51D & T-6 on the tarmac for us to photograph. Left in the hangar were three other P-51Ds like this one that we could work to our hearts content. The safari participants went nuts, totally getting into this aviation photography thing. (I kinda like my quick flash work on this one, not bad for a lonely wildlife guy.)
We had models on the wings, in the cockpit, kissing the prop, doing classic ’40s pinup posses on the aircraft, it was a ton of fun. Then when the light went down folks went in to watch McNally work the flashes which left the planes all by themselves. Many were out there beside me shooting, some who never thought a plane an interesting subject but now admitted in person and by email (already) that they are hooked. It couldn’t have been a better finish to the great day! (This is a simple 1click HDR.)
Photos captured by D3x, 70-200VR2 / 24-120VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
