May 3, 2011 | Aviation
The sun came up, the ground fog formed and I started to hoof it! Three million dollars in rare aircraft all yours to play with, killer fog raising around them, you can’t script this kind o shooting. As all the participants were saying, their fee was already worth it with just this opportunity. It was that amazing. So with that, could YOU have made the exposure? The top one was the easiest as the light is pretty even. The second gets a little trickier with the gray with the bottom one being a real challenge since the hangar in the background is in the sun and the plane is not. More importantly then could you make the one exposure, could you have made all three in the short time we had as the fog came and went with the rising sun. The P-51C Mustang “Red Tail” is a spectacular aircraft that you’re not going to find anywhere else, period. Having unfeathered access was more then one could wish for and then add to that the ground fog and light, the pressure was on to get it right. And this is not something you could “fix” later in post. More importantly I feel is getting the exposure to communicate what it is you are seeing here. And that’s what exposure is all about as I talk about to great length in Captured. You have to FEEL the light, not just see it. Personally, I’m pretty proud of these images since I nailed them. These will be hallmark images that will earn me good money and that comes from being in place at the right place at the right time with the right skill set to make the click. You only get that by lots of practice, lots of failure and learning from that. Whether you’re into aviation photography or not, if you’re into photography the light has to suck you in. If it didn’t you need to do a reality check because sexy romantic light is to be relished wherever you find it!
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
May 3, 2011 | Aviation
This past weekend we were in FL at Fantasy of Flight for our Air2Air Workshop. We were in place long before the sun started to shine and in time for the magic to unfold. This massive flying boat, the Short Sunderland is normally in the hangar in the back corner. We lucked out in it had been pulled out and where you see it. It’s a massive plane with a ton of character as you’ll see this week. In the predawn light, it just glows even though there is NO light on it yet. The fact it’s white makes it stand out because of color contrast. The exposure is minus 2 2/3 stops but other then that, there’s nothing to make the photograph, unless lying on the ground you consider as being work.
Then about 30min later the sun started to rise and shine through the hangar windows behind us. This beam of light came out and kissed the nose of the Short Sunderland as you see here. Again, other then dialing in minus 2 2/3, there is nothing else to making the photo. Who here’s my question to you. Could you have made the photo of this light? Does your imagination and technical skills permit you to see the light, record it and then such the viewer into your photo WITHOUT bracketing to get the right exposure? Why does that matter? In this case when the plane is definitely not going anywhere, it doesn’t matter. But what if this were a bull elk out in a meadow and was moving, not standing still? Bracketing wouldn’t save you then if you couldn’t make the shot off the cuff. I’m often sadden when I see folks in these situations chimping like crazy hoping that their last guess at exposure will be right when the LCD lights up. This is a skill I feel is being lost in photography, communicating light through exposure from knowledge and experience. Moments like this are rare, don’t take the chance of making them by luck.
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR / 70-200VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
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
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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.
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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.
