Oct 16, 2010 | Aviation, B&W Photography
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPARRR29308bw.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
“You can always find something to do while you’re waiting for the paint to dry!” Being a year older then Sharon, I “waited” around to start college the same fall as she did. So I took a cool job for that year. Working in a woodshop where we had to finish the work, while that paint was drying we found other tasks that could be completed. I guess you could call is a work ethic, something we’re finding to be critical in moving things forward.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPARRR29318bw.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
So yesterday while sequestered in our hotel room because of the weather we had a couple of options. Yeah, we did take a moment to just catch our breathes but then after that, it was to work making the most of our “idle” time. Since I’ve been on the road now for six weeks, not all my images have been dealt with. So, I got all my Reno Race images keyworded (the only thing I do Keyword). With that really fun task done, I decided to reward myself with finishing a couple from a special shoot from the races.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPARRR29324bw.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
I’ve already written about and posted images from the flight, but before that all the shooters were provided an opportunity to photograph the very special and rare P-38s Lightnings and F7Fs Tiger Cats. The top frame is one of my favorites of the week because of the shadows in the foreground. It communicates the excitement of all the photographers able to photograph this special event. After that, trying to make clean clicks was a real challenge. The only real option for cleaning up the background was lying on the tarmac which is what I did (watching not to lay in oil). After that, the rest was cleaned up in Photoshop. So even though I wasn’t out behind the lens like I would have preferred, thanks to photography I could visit some good memories and finish them. Pretty cool!
Photos captured by D3x, 24-70AFS / 70-200VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 15, 2010 | Aviation, Landscape Photography
We left Freeport and headed up to base out of Millinocket to work the Moose in Baxter State Park. We got in with just enough time to reconnoiter the area for color before the storm comes in. It is simple stunning in the surrounding hills, the color is maxed out!
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5309.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5341.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
Well one of the lakes has an air service so headed in that direction to see if I could get some aviation with fall color. A great twist on landscape photography if you ask me.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP5342.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
As it so happen to unfold, the pilot James was warming up and taking off on a run. The light level was so low with the pending storm, I was shooting at 1/45 f4 handheld! So we were able to photograph him in his Cessna 206 taxing down lake, turn around and lift off. I’ve photographed a lot of float planes in our work in Alaska but never with this kind of fall color. I could do this kind of landscape photography all day long!
Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 9, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPARRR27935.swf, 402, 600, [/swf]
Road trips, they can be long some times. This one began with the Reno Air Races a month ago and we’re still not done. A number of folks have asked how I deal with being on the road and my images. There’s a piece on the site that explains it all but I basically keep it very simple. The only addition is this time since I was only home for 36hrs, I made a 3rd backup of the drive of images since I didn’t have time to dump them all on the network. It’s great to be able to look back while on the road at memories like being on the ramp photographing this T28, even though it was only a month ago. The key is backup, backup, backup!
Photo captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 5, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFOFM0022bw.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
OK, so I had more on my mind then just the correct perspective. With the light as it were, the foreground and background, I knew at the time of the click I would be going to B&W with the final images.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFOFM0086bw.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
Running Silver Efex Pro 64bit, it was no more then the move of a couple of sliders and I was done. Quick, simple, sharp and effective, my favorite kind of photography and finishing!
Oct 5, 2010 | Aviation
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFOFM0022.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
One plane I have a childhood love affair with is the PBY Catalina. They are great planes of WWII that served many roles, most thinking of them as search & rescue. They are an amphibious which means they can land on water. And like much of our aviation history, few remain. So when I pulled up in the parking lot at Fantasy of Flight, I instantly focused in on it. With the sun climbing in the sky, I walked over to it got right up to the rope and with the 70-200VR2, made the click. Not very dramatic.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFOFM0086.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
Then after the demo flight, I had a second opportunity. The tarmac ends on the other side of the PBY and that’s where you are allowed to stand during the flight. Two hours later, the light wasn’t any better but I could get right up on the plane, get down low and shoot up on it with the 18AF. I like the 18mm shot better. That might not be your favorite and that is perfectly right. Lens selection is in great part correct when the perspective of that lens matches your vision. In the perfect world for example, I would have loved to shot the PBY with a 400mm from the ground. There was the minor issue of a hanger full of planes preventing that. So I went with plan B. Compare the two, look at the view down the nose and the size of the trees in the background. Quite a difference between the two. There is no right or wrong answer, only the answer that communicates your vision!
Oct 5, 2010 | Aviation
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[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/DAPFOFM0076.swf, 585, 473, [/swf]
I get the question if the 200-400VR2 is worth upgrading. With the 200VR2 now out and with the 70-200VR2 having been out, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the trend. So, is the VR2 worth the upgrade? Here’s a classic example of the new technology at work. Now I wish I had the talent to shoot the 200-400 & 200-400VR2 in stereo, handheld of a plane in flight. I’m just not that good. But I can recognize the reduction of elements causing the loss of flare which is one of the main attributes of the new technology. This image has great contrast, color and sharpness. Zoom in, you can count the rivets in the Mustang’s skin. Nice!
Photo captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
