Nov 16, 2010 | Aviation
Background, background, background, we shoot at sunset at the Superstitious Mtns for a reason. Can you see why? That color was just outstanding and I wanted it in my images. Once you have the background in place, the rest just falls into place.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1963.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp1813.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP1771.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
The bottom image is my favorite, it includes the great background and the silver body of Sentimental Journey. It reminds me of old Army Air Force training films of low terrain training missions in the desert. And, I don’t need any words to tell the story, the click does it all. Why is the top image darker? I underexposed an extra -1/2 stop.
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Nov 16, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp1974.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
After the first orbit it’s time to settle down to business. The key with air-to-air is the same key to wildlife photography in my mind and that’s background. It’s really, really hard to keep the background in mind with the excitement of a B-17 Flying Fortress in the viewfinder but you’ve gotta. Since you keep making orbits in this scenario, the background repeats itself and you’ve gotta keep track of that. It’s when I saw this background I knew the good stuff was coming up. I went light on the finger so the buffer wasn’t full and held my breath.
Photo captured by D3x, 24-120AFS on Lexar UDMA digtital film
Nov 16, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp1714.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
There are NO words for the moment you first look out the back and you see a classic warbird pulling up behind you. I had that experience when I photographed the P-38 / F7F a month back and now again with the B-17. Seriously, I get lost in the moment and simply take it in, and then I comeback to earth and get to work. This is a workshop so teaching is what it’s all about. One thing we stress is when you first see the planes, make the money shots. Use a fast shutter speed to assure a sharp image and with those in the can, move one to more daring techniques.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp1730.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
This is still photography where light is everything. And even with that in mind, I make shots that aren’t the best light because you never know if all of a sudden the flight will come to an end. These are aircraft, machines and there are any number of mechanical, flight or personal reasons why a flight can end so I click the first orbit kind of like a mad man to get images in the can. My prime lens for all my air-to-air this weekend was the new 24-120AFS and in this role the lens did a killer job. I also shot in Vivd the entire time.
Photos captured by D3x, 24-120AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Nov 15, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3966.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
That’s the amazing Russ piloting Sentimental Journey on our air-to-air evening flight. Even mtc!
Nov 15, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP4141.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
Yeah, that’s a B-17, two P-15D Mustangs and Spitfire over the Superstitious Mtns. Just a little teaser.
Nov 15, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp1176.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
OK, the light came up and like a little boy, I ran back to the big bomber to play. The B-17 Sentimental Journey has always been a favorite and to have complete unfettered access to it was really, a dream come true. The AZ CAF wing provided complete access making the photographic possibilities limitless.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_bmp1188.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
This complete aluminum sided plane was a giant mirror for the light to bounce around on. The top image is a 7image HDR, the bottoms a straight shot. Having this kind of access, I decided to take the opportunity to experiment with technique, exposure and lighting. Somethings worked, somethings didn’t, some I like and some I don’t. That’s the process of moving your photography forward.
Photo captured by D3x, 24-120AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
