Angle is Everything…When You Get it Right!

Dec 14, 2010 | Aviation

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFAFB2121.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

I am really surprised I wasn’t called out on my Facebook wall with yesterday’s posting about Angle. Because those two images were to put politely, damn weak. They might have been a start though if you recognize it’s a weak angle before you leave the photograph! Great light can only help so far so when the sun slipped behind a cloud again, I walked around the helo looking to the right angle for the length of the helo. This click here. But it’s no better then a “I was here shot” which in my book is a notch above shit.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/dapfafb1951.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

So the first thing I went for was seeing light was coming out was if I could make the helo look bad ass. I went down low and lined up all the lines so you can’t help but make contact with the cockpit. Real clean background, dramatic clouds and soft light (barely see a shadow on the side of the helo) so I was happy with this click. But better can be had.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/dapfafb1872.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

OK, sun came out making it a little brighter so I darted back over to the side, hit the ground and made the click. We are getting much better but…but we should never settle so we keep looking for the better shot. mtc

Photos captured by D3x, 70-200VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film

How to Take it to the Next Step?

Dec 13, 2010 | Aviation

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/dapfafb1734.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

With out time with the Top Gun school limited, we headed over to the Helo squadron to spend some time. We spend time with them out last adventure to Top Gun school so improving on the past was important to me. To make that happen, the first thing I did was to review the images I took on my last visit to see the mistakes and success I came back with. The one thing I didn’t do enough last time was get down low. So the first thing I did with this MH-60L Blackhawk gunship was get down on the ground, as in literally kissing the tarmac. For this one helo, it was pretty cut and dry but as we moved on to others, things would change. mtc

Photo captured by D3x, 70-200VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film

Seriously, Really Sharp Handholding?

Dec 10, 2010 | Aviation

Let me attempt to kill two questions with one post. Is the 200-400VR2 and 70-200VR2 really sharp, and, do you really get sharp results handholding these two lenses? These two lenses which are cornerstones of my photography right now for both wildlife and aviation keep generating these questions. So I thought I would take a moment to put up a couple of Zoomify images (Click on the Click Here). If you don’t know what Zoomify is, just search this site, I’ve provided the definition many times in the past. Bottomline for my photography, theses lenses along with my well practiced handholding technique provides all the sharpness I require. Search Hadnholding to read about the technique I use. Hope this helps and provides you a measure for what tack sharp should look like.

Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 / 70-200VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film

It Lives after the Maverick & Goose Solute

Dec 9, 2010 | Aviation

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFAFB1750.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

Yep, they went and painted one up. Just wish I photographed this one in flight. Next time

They Were There

Dec 9, 2010 | Aviation

No point to the photos other then, I liked what I saw in the viewfinder. In this case, the exhaust blurring out the background and giving movement to a still click.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFAFB1681.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

And this? I just liked the attitude that the angle and light brings to an otherwise parked plane. Keeping it simple.

Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film

What Goes Up, Must Come Down

Dec 9, 2010 | Aviation

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFAFB1661.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

It was real simple, look for the story, the thread and follow it. Knowing where the F5 would eventually park helped get into position.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFAFB1672.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

Lone planes are OK but pairing them up, comparing them and working their lines against each other is even better.

[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFAFB1674.swf, 585, 473 [/swf]

But making a simple click lining up everything dead center, using the exhaust to blur out the background and then add the simple element of a person, perfect! One of my favorite shots of the Aggressors.

Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film