Sep 14, 2008 | Aviation
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/rarboys.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
As I write this, I’m rubbing my left arm and my neck is cracking, leftover from shooting for four days to bring back 6737 photographs from the races. Here is myself, our son Brent and Nikon’s Mark Kettenhofen shooting the F22 flight on Saturday. The 200-400VR, 70-300VR and 500VR are the lenses of choice at the races. This cool shot was taken by the keen eye of Sharon, looking for graphics amongst the shooters.
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/stuntplane.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
The Reno Air Races are more than just planes flying really fast in a circle. Quite often in between races there are your more typical air show performances. These are fun with the media pass because you’re right under the action. The stunt planes are fun to watch but after seeing the F22 fly, they just don’t seem so agile.
Sep 14, 2008 | Aviation
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/pylon.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
The Media folks at the Reno Air Race put on a first rate production. The large green bus is what the 25 morning race photographers take out to the pylon. Once at the pylon, the photographers spread out and take a position based on what they are after.
Some look for basic clean shots of single planes. Others look for opportunities with multiple planes in the shot while others go for photos of the pylon in the shot with the plane. You had photographers from all over the world at the race. it was a hell of good time!
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/pylonflight.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
This is the typical massing of the first lap, in this case the T6 race on Sunday. It’s just out of the picture in the lower right corner, but that’s the pylon where photos like this are taken. You stand nearly at the base of the pylon and the planes fly right down your lens barrel with the roar of the props vibrate the sage scaring up the jack rabbits. As my good friend Rich told our son Brent who joined me at the pylons yesterday, “Once you experience the race here, there is no other place to watch them.”
Sep 14, 2008 | Aviation
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/nikonboys.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
This was Nikon’s first time to provide full support at the Reno Air Races. Nikon pulled out all the stops bringing in their best, Scott Diussa, Bill Fortney and Mark Kettenhofen. The very first day they were out on the shooting platform checking out the location.
The majority of the time though they were in the Nikon Center either loaning out gear, helping with tech support or with the repair center. Photographers could bring in their gear and at no charge have their gear cleaned which included the sensors. This was a huge hit.
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/nikoncenter.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
This was my first time to be at an event where a full Nikon Center was up present. I was incredibly impressed by all that Nikon provided and know their support was greatly appreciated by the shooters.
Sep 13, 2008 | Aviation
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/tcplane.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
The Tiger Cat is not a common plane. This carrier based plane though was just fun to watch and hear fly as it passed directly in front of you just, vibrating the ground with their power. The pilot had it on the deck so when it came around the pylon and down your lens barrel, it was just a sight to behold.
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/sbplane.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
The T33 was the pace plane for the Unlimited silver race. While it didn’t race in the Jet division, it was great fun to see it in the air and circle. It has an awesome paint job!
For a little different take on the Reno Air Races and a little behind the scene look, be sure to check out my very good friend Scott’s Blog.
Photo captured by D3, 200-400VR on Lexar UDAM digital film
Sep 11, 2008 | Aviation
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/jetline.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
At the Reno Air Races and man, I love it! Love it so much that Sharon & I volunteered to work in the Nikon NPS center here all week. Just great folks and great planes. We got out just three times today (busy helping folks) and in that short time was able to file 2000 images. The first outing was to the Thunderbird flight line. It was just way cool to have such access. The helmet & flag grabbed me instantly (thinkin of you Rog).
[SWF]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/jethelmet.swf, 585, 444 [/SWF]
I had the D90 along and got some shots with it, even did a couple of videos and wow, that’s cool! I’ve got two more posts for today to get up later tonight, just wanted to touch base and say hi!
One last but very important thing. CONGRATS to RC & Jenn on the arrival of Sabine!
Photos captured by D3, 200-400VR on Lexar UDMA 16GB digital film
Jun 20, 2008 | Aviation
Just as the sun rose today, we were on the flight line in the attempt to make some fine art photographs of some mighty fine plane lines.
The actual sunrise and its flaming red color unfolded as I sped up Hwy395 to Stead Airport (home of the Reno Nat’l Air Races). I personally didn’t want the red with the steally silver Mustang and was quite pleased with the light after the color.
And the light stuck around long enough to make a couple of shots of this incredibly colorful T-9 tail.
After the morning media briefing (who were in school just like the pilots) it was back out to the pylons to photograph the planes. This year, I was the only “pylon virgin” in training. The photographers out here are very specialized, very dedicated and very friendly and helpful. Can’t thank them enough to their schooling and friendship!
Pylon 4 shooting for the Unlimited Class was really, truly, just kick ass fun! There were a number of P-51 Mustangs and when they flew up the ridge, past us, around the pylon continuing on the coarse, well, it was just spectacular!
So, at the end of the day I got my patch, passed the class, qualified and welcomed to the media for the 10-14 Sept Championships. Now that I’ve finally made it here after all these years of wanting to, I can’t wait for the races and to be back with this great group of photographers! Want to thank Scott of Nikon NPS for making it possible for me to be here!
Photos captured by D3, 14-24AFS / 500VR (handheld) on Lexar UDMA digital film
