Challenging Bad Light

Apr 18, 2023 | Aviation

A-1D Skyraider captured by Z 9 / Z24-120

I’m always advocating to aviation photographer to “just show up” as opportunities happen. While this works, there are time the photograph that presents itself just isn’t in the nicest of light. Sometimes, the light just sucks! We were at the Vietnam War Flight Museums on Sunday morning shooting and by the time the hangar was unpacked and I could get on the ramp with this beast of a plane, the A-1D Skyraider was bathed in suckie light. While the sky was bald, the background was clean. While the light was suckie it was bouncing pretty nicely into the shadow area. So with all of these combos, I switch the Z 9 to B&W, closed the lens down to get a couple of starburst off the specular highlights and went click. Then in ACR I used the Subject Mask to open up the shadows a tad and bang, I have a photograph. It’s a simple clean shot of an A-1D static I didn’t have in the library and a great start to build on. So the challenge then is to first recognize you don’t have nice light and then pulling from your bag of craft to tools to make lemonade. I like the challenge of challenging bad light!

Metro Aviation – Wow!

Mar 25, 2023 | Aviation

The “Assembly line” where the life saving process begins

The first thing I saw as we walked into Mike’s office (the creator and CEO of Metro Aviation) is a Kingfisher print and below it the portrait of a naval aviator. The portrait of his father and his aircraft, I new I was going to like Mike! After our day at the Metro Aviation, I could write a book and not cover all this Shreveport business has accomplished and is doing to make our world a better place. In a nutshell, saving more lives is at the heart of this impressive business. If you’ve ever seen a MediVac flying about, more than likely it was born right here at Metro Aviation. They receive the helos from Airbus in crates and months later send them out ready to deploy to hospitals around the US completely fitted out and in many cases, with gear invented and proven at Metro Aviation. In this process, they have a “command center” (another of Mike’s inovations found nowhere else in the world) where the 100+ helos they help owners operate with hardware / software they invented, one of a kind saving lives.

Getting the final touches prior to going into service

Mike is quite the southern gentleman taking hours from his day sharing every aspect of Metro Aviation with me. For an aviation restoration geek like me, it was heaven! Ended putting in 6000 step learning about Metro. And it all comes for a medical student forty years ago wanting to do more and following his passion to make that happen. Wow, just wow!

In the paint booth

#2 Tip – Smile

Mar 23, 2023 | Aviation

The Blue Angels captured by D3x / 200-400VR

This tip I pass along actually comes from Sharon. We were at the Reno Air Races and I had followed my #1 Tip, Just Show Up and was on the line before sunrise admiring those blue beauties. The airman responsible for the F-18 right in front of me was preflighting the plane. There was a rope between me and the planes. I wanted to get past that rope and to the east to get the shot you see here. Sharon said, “Smile!” When the airman looked at me, I smiled broadly and that started a conversation and that let to being asked if I want to get closer. Every since my #2 tip in aviation photography is a big, sincere smile! Because every since this event, the smile has gotten me into place and meeting people so I can get the photograph I envision.

Looking Forward to Some 1 on 1 Time!

Mar 16, 2023 | Aviation

MANG C-130 captured by Z 9 / Z70-200f2.8

I’ll come clean, I’ve been very neglectful when it comes to my library of modern military statics. I decided that I was going to rectify that issue in 2023 so I’ve been doing my homework. The homework is to go though my own files and find the images I like and those I don’t and figure out those reasons. My goal is to populate my library with uncommon images of these “common” aircraft you can see and photograph most weekends during the summer. One common thread I found looking through the images I like was they were taken with a 70-200f2.8 lens. I used that lens to do two things, isolate the subject and background. At the same time, the longer focal length keeps the lines of the aircraft true, no distorted angles.

F-22 Raptor captured by D3 / 70-200f2.8

The other commonality was the light. Starting with these two benchmarks is a challenge in itself then comes the additional challenge of “improving.” Making this come together means working the connections, obtaining access and the most important element, time, to make it all come together. I wrap that all up in a favorite phrase of mine, planned luck. If I do it right and the stars align, I’ll be looking forward to some one on one time!

Women of Aviation Worldwide Week

Mar 9, 2023 | Aviation

Tammie Helo pilot captured by D5 / 14-24f2.8

It’s Women of aviation worldwide week bringing much deserved attention to this dedicated, talented and very skilled group of pilots. They include today’s pilot making a huge difference like Tammie flying a Medevac. It all started in 1910 with Blanche “Betty” Stuart Scott inspiring all who would come after her. Many know of Amela Earhart but what about Bessie Coleman or Katherin Stinson? You probably have heard of the WASPs but what about the 99 Club? This doesn’t even dust off the tip of the spear, there are thousands and thousands out there. This includes those protecting our freedoms! We thank you all for your passion, skill and talent this week and everyday!!!

You Gotta Give Them Some Love!

Mar 2, 2023 | Aviation

AZ Ground Crew napping under B-17 “Sentimental Journey” captured by D750 / 24-70f2.8

WWII reenactors are a special bunch like my dear friends, the AZ Ground Crew gang. They put so much time, money and passion into what it is they do, it is impressive and inspiring! They really know their history and planes! And they are a great photographic opportunity and resource at airshows! Some events like Oshkosh have massive encampments reenacting a time gone by. And they are just waiting for a little love to go into action. I have learned to talk with them, chat them up and normally within seconds they ask, “want to take our photograph?” And more then once in the process they introduce me to a plane and plane owner I didn’t know. This process opens the doors to so many possibilities but you’ve got knock and walk through to make something happen. Have those business cards handy and willingness to give away your photos and you’d be surprised what comes from the simple, “hello!” Access to aircraft can come in many directions and this one is one of the funniest. It all starts with the reeanctors, you gotta give them some love!
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