The N3N-3 looks like it’s screaming by when in actuality it just splashed down and water slows down a plane really, really fast! By simply using a long lens (560mm here) with a slowish shutter speed (1/60) and being close physically to the subject and the subject somewhat close to the background, the “slow” landing appears to be fast. This very simple technique just requires great handholding and panning and the thinking through of the background. The Z 9 in AAAF took care of the focus. Floating out in the lake on a platform got me close. And talking with the pilot about what I needed to make the shot was all it took. You can do it to! Just say to yourself, go slow to show speed.

While we still have snow, you can have some fun if you head to the airport armed with your sense of humor. Above is an example of what I’m talking about. But here’s the rup, you kinda gotta know our audience. Not everyone is going to understand the humor in this photo, but those in the industry sure will and that’s who you’re targeting. You’d be surprised the doors this simple click has made for me in the past year. You gotta act fast though to look for that snow job!

Winter’s limited hours of daylight, colder temps and in many locations, snow, can make it a challenge to find aircraft on the ramp to photograph. Photographing inside as a work around is obvious but finding aircraft in a hangar you can get access to (let alone an “attractive” interior) is truly difficult. At least, this is what I’ve experienced. So to take care of my aviation photography itch and to keep the mind sharp and improve on my photography, I head to aviation museums especially in the winter!

What could you learn shooting in a museum? Got an hour, I could start the list but not finish. Some of the biggies are background control, lighting patterns on flight surfaces, lens selection, elevation to stand for various aircraft, manufactures and models, history & backstory, and my favorite, meeting the right people! You would be surprised how often aircraft are rolled out of the museum and onto the ramp for servicing either the museum or the aircraft. By visiting often, practicing and sharing photographs, you meet people, often the right people who can open doors for you. Not only museum doors by aviation community doors. I wrote about one such encounter not that long ago which is a great example. Whether you want to work on aircraft portraits, detail shots, controlling a background or post production, a natural training ground awaits you this winter as it’s a great time to hear inside a museum!