Apr 9, 2015 | Aviation
Photography itself is a time travel machine, preserving the past for the present that the future can enjoy. When you take this time travel machine into the past, well then magic can happen. I had an unique opportunity to step back in time this past week, both historically and in my own life. The Dakota Territory Air Museum in telling their states aviation history has acquired a F-106 Delta Dart. This is a very unique aircraft designed to haul ass at 2+ mach to intercept invading bombers and shoot a nuclear rocket into their midst to blast them from the skies. Scary stuff when you think of the implications. Luckily, that action never happened. But we have the history to reflect back on because of aircraft like this.
One of the huge benefits of being dear friends with the guy who has the keys to the museum is being able to step into this time machine. With no operating systems, lifting the tremendously heavy canopy so I could get in the cockpit was the first big challenge. Then it was to contain myself enough to make the clicks. The cockpit was not made for someone my size (in any dimension you wish to consider) so getting myself and my gear to shoot (D4s / 16Fish) into that space was a challenge! The photo you see above is looking up into the canopy and the three mirrors the pilot used to see behind them. Thought it would be an unique self portrait.
The best part of this historic time capsule is the crew of volunteers restoring it for static display. The majority of them worked on the F-106 back in the day when they were flying. Their stories about the aircraft, pilots, flights and role in our nations safety pour out as they go about their work. And in fact, it is those stories that are more important to preserve than the aircraft itself and as photographers, it is part of our mission we need to embrace. It was a great adventure I felt very privilege to undertake and want to encourage you to take the same trip with your camera and bring back your stories to share with the rest of us!
Apr 1, 2015 | Aviation
Maj Gen George Harrison (ret) is a really, really cool guy! We meet him a year ago and we instantly took to this very genuine American. When I saw we’d be in the neighborhood again this past week, I contacted George to ask if he’d be available to have his portrait made. We’ve been working for nearly a year on our Pilot Portrait project and George is a great and natural addition. In 1975, he flew the last fighter mission over Vietnam in his F4 at the last of the evacuation. Here, he’s standing in front of his gorgeous 1946 Swift that his has owned for nearly fifty years. He had such great stories and passion for aviation, it’s a real honor to know him and ability to include him in the project.
Being a Georgia resident, where he flies and what it does is why the location was selected. The time of day was based on those elements but what you can’t control with advance planning is the weather. I was concerned with the rain George wouldn’t bring out his polished Swift since it takes two days to polish it all out. Luckily for us, it had just stopped before he taxied over. We left the conference at 0430 and drove so we were in place and set up prior to sun up at 0654. I planned the shot on the slight chance the sun would shine but no such luck. That meant I had to light the Swift as well as the General. You can see from the diagram, one Profoto B1 with a 1×4 Strip was left of the camera. The other Profoto B1 was camera right with the Magnum and 10% grid. A 1/4 cut was in that light to warm up its light. Shooting with the D750 / 85f1.8 / Air Remote, it actually was an easy shot. We’ve done so many now, we had set up, shot done and torn down in 40min (we is me and my great assistant, Sharon). To see the shot for the project (shot with 24f1.4AFS), you’ll just have to wait but wanted to share this moment of fun with you now.
Mar 31, 2015 | Aviation
Robert L Hite passed away on Sunday at the age of 95 in Nashville, TN. One of the 80 Doolittle Raiders, he was one of eight airman captured after the raid and 40 months later, released from a POW camp. A Thank You for your service just doesn’t seem to be enough. A true American hero!
Mar 13, 2015 | Aviation
Just out is our latest article that might be of interest to some of you. EAA Warbirds in their March issue is running my piece on Air-to-Air Photography (Jake is in there too, inside photos and back cover). It goes through the whole process of producing a photo mission featuring an air to air shoot we did with the Dixie Wing CAF. It might be a piece you want to check out. And if you want to experience what I feel is the most exciting photography on the planet, join us for a K&M Air Adventure.
Feb 27, 2015 | Aviation
“The lens’ AF is slow and won’t hold focus, how can I fix it?” “At times, the lens seems to be searching for the subject. What setting should I use?” These were the two most commonly asked questions this week sent in for my GearHead posts. I didn’t answer them there because, these aren’t gear problems, it’s what we politely call, pilot error. First, the lens contains the motor that moves the element(s) or element group that physically focuses the image. It’s the AF engine in the camera body that tells that motor how and when to move. So it’s not the lens not holding focus or searching, it’s the camera body signal, or rather lack there of, causing the issue. When working with photographers in the field and they are having these issues, 95% of the time the problem is their panning, not their gear (and oh my, how they howl with that answer. It CAN’T be them!).
This shot of a C-47 was shot with a D4s / 200-400VR2 handheld at 1/20, f/32, ISO100! At that shutter speed, to repeat, 1/20, if I had to manually focus, I’d still be in pain. We have to rely on that camera’s AF system which means we MUST do a couple of things, constantly, all the time. First is understand that the camera’s AF system, no matter the brand, needs three things to focus. It needs contrast, strong diagonal or vertical lines. And when shooting a moving subject, we must give our camera/lens rig a sturdy, stable and SMOOTH platform following that subject. So when I hear problems of “the lens not holding focus or searching,” I have only one answer. Practice, practice, practice … time to Pan!
Feb 19, 2015 | Aviation
The Stockton Field Aviation Museum is happy to announce BOMBER CAMP 2015!
Do you remember watching Twelve O’Clock High or Memphis Belle? Have your ever imagined what it would be like to train for – and fly – your own mission in the legendary B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine 0 Nine?” The Stockton Field Aviation Museum in conjunction with the Collings Foundation will be offering a very unique two-day program in which you do just that! No doubt, this is one of the most amazing living history programs you will ever experience! Space is limited.
TAX DEDUCTABLE!
When:
May 27th and 28th – STOCKTON, CA
Base Location:
Stockton Municipal Airport / Stockton Field Aviation Museum Hangar,Stockton California.
Target:
Top Secret Classified Information. Crew will be issued mission and target objectives on completion of crew training.
Cost:
$3,900 per person. Includes accommodations and food for two nights, materials, ammunition, and support supplies. Trainees must arrange travel to hotel. Transportation to and from training facilities will be arranged. Age restrictions: 16 yrs. and older. 16 yrs. to 18yrs. has to be accompanied by legal adult guardian .
Day One: Pre-Mission Training
* Basic outline of course and goals.
* WWII Heavy Bomber history, theatres of operation and primary missions.
* Identification of crew positions and duties.
* Crewmember orientation to essential equipment.
* Bombardier and turret training.
* Gunnery orientation.
* Target practice.
Day Two: Briefing and Mission Orders are Issued
* Refresher course / Q & A.
* Commanding Officer will brief the crew on the day’s mission.
* Suit up and drive to the aircraft in bomb crew truck.
* Pre flight and further briefing on flight, mission and crew position.
* Load aircraft ordinance and prepare equipment.
* Fly the mission. – Hit the target and get back to base alive!
* Mission de-briefing.
Some details:
The crew will be staying at the Holiday Inn Express, Manteca. Crew must be checked in the night of May 26th . The program starts early AM on May 27th. Each crewmember will receive training materials, flight suit, eye and ear protection etc. Live rounds will be used at gunnery range and blanks will be used during the mission. Each crewmember will be issued: 50 rounds / 50 cal. blank, 10 rounds / 50 cal. live, 15 shot gun rounds, shotgun and targets. Additional ammo will be available for purchase at location. Mission flight time will be approximately 1 hour. 250 lb. dummy bombs will be dropped on a target from the B-17 Flying Fortress “Nine 0 Nine” (manufactured to original specifications). Crew member performs a task in each position on an approximate 5-10 minute rotation.
Reservations and cancellations :
50% deposit is required on sign up. Deposit is non-refundable unless we have to cancel camp. (Reason for this: We have to purchase supplies and materials in advance). Space is limited. To make reservations for the B-17 Bomber Crew Training Camp or for more information Email;
Ken Terpstra
