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
Mar 30, 2011 | Aviation
It’s PreCon day at Photoshop World which means we take the show on the road and infect photographers, with photography! For a change of pace, we took our Safari to Fantasy of Flight, a marvelous place with some great aircraft like this Tri-Ford for subjects. The whole goal of the safari is to explore light and this time, we explored it while learning a little history while having a whole lot of fun!
I’m the first one to admit I’m not the best at shooting statics (parked planes) so heading out to teach folks this fine art was a bit of a nail bitter. But when the planes took to the air like this Duck, lens were pointed up and my nerves settled down. I take NOTHING for granted nor put labels on this stuff or photographers, I go out and deal with the cards dealt and with students, in that process try to teach from the ups and downs. So while the sky might not have been perfect, it did have enough character then when being picky with your background, there were photos to be made.
A step back in time with barn stormin, that’s just one thought that came to mind when this old biplane giving rides crossed the field. Working tight to bring in the background was the point, leaving only the slight gap for visual separation. The group got lots of panning practice while learning that getting a sharp image with the image in the right part of the frame ain’t as easy you might think. You can’t get old and rest on your laurels no matter what you focus on in photography. Constant practice is a must!
While some didn’t understand or get it when I said that aviation is all about the people as the aircraft, I think this click sums it up. Those folks out barn stormin had the biggest smile when they landed, who couldn’t help but feel the thrill of flight or photography for that matter when looking at those faces. The first half of the day rocked, we had great subjects and great folks to share it with. After that, nothing else really mattered!
Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 29, 2011 | Aviation
Off to Sun & Fun for them, back to Punta Gorda for me. Thanks guys for a great flight!
Mar 29, 2011 | Aviation
John of History Flights offered me a ride in their AT-6 to do an air to air I was so high I didn’t need a photo ship. The weather this morning nearly did us in. We had a very small window to go up and shoot before the weather closed in around us. From take off to landing, it was just a 18min flight but it was a great 18min. Here’s a quick image from the flight, not the best but it was near the end of the file so I could quickly get it posted. It’s no the best because the feature making this plane unique, the canon, is not visible. I did get that shot but that’s still uploading in the computer as I type. I can’t thank John and History Flights enough for this and upcoming opportunities. I can’t wait for our next project in 45 days!
Photo captured by D3x, 24-120VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
Mar 29, 2011 | Aviation
Just talking with folks this past weekend at the FL Int’l Airshow brought tons of great opportunities to my door. This is one of the coolest. This is the only B-25H flyin and what makes it unique is the tank canyon mounted in its nose for attaching ships. It’s an amazing plane with an incredible history. Its pilot / chief bottle washer John of History Flights (check them out, they do incredible work!) instantly took us in and started to tell us Barbie’s story. That led to getting a tour of inside the B-25 and that led to this morning. We were to meet at 08:30. at 07:30 the skies opened up with thunder, lightning and a downpour. At 09:00 our photo mission was back on and to the airport I flew!
Both of these are handheld, 5 frame, handheld HDR images. Shooting right into those backlit clouds, HDR was the only option. Handheld because I was about to climb into a AT-6 and go shooting so I had no tripod. RC, forgive me since I threw these together really quickly, I didn’t give them the TLC you taught us last week. And where does the blog post title comes from? The top images was taken with my ass in the air as I kissed the ground to get the angle. Then, once in the AT-6 and with the props turning I took the second image. Top image is inches from the ground and the bottom image is nine feet up. I’m not sure which angle I like the best. I’ll have to stare at them for a while and take some note. The wet tarmac was to die for: note to self, bring water truck to all static shoots! Something learned shooting, that’s the icing on the cake!
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120VR on Lexar UDMA digital film
