Aug 18, 2014 | Aviation
Back in our room after a 14hr, 6783 image day. Everything got used today, D4s, D810, Df, 18-35, 24f1.4, 24-70 and 80-400VR3, SB-910 and Profoto B1 shooting a couple more pilot portraits, an award ceremony, 1929 hangar wall to an air to air. This is a rare FM-2P we photographed this evening in front of a killer North Dakota thunderhead piloted by my dear friend Warren (shooting out of a T6 piloted by our good friend Derek Peterson). When we’re with Warren, I tend to be standing in front of a lot of great things with a camera in my hand. And I don’t get much sleep! mtc.
Jul 28, 2014 | Aviation
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The Golden Era of Aviation, an early period in aviation that instills deep romantic feeling today, the aircraft of this era are also known as antiques. This gorgeous ’31 Waco QCF falls into these categories, Golden Era and romantic. We photographers tend to get wrapped up in camera and technique, exposure and sharpness and while these are important components to a photograph, they should not be our end goal. Jay Maisel has wisely stated where we really need to start with, Light, Gesture, Color because within these we tell the story, we reach our viewer’s hearts and that should be our goal. Case in point.
It was again one of those magical evenings in North Dakota where once in a lifetime opportunities seem to come. On this gorgeous evening we went flying which turned in to an air to air shoot. I quickly grabbed the D4s / 24-70AFS, jumped in the cub and took to the air. It was so spur of the moment, there was no brief, no flight plan, just heading out to catch the setting sun. The gear was in hand, the technique in place and with the pilots, the subject in place. Killed a few pixels this night, these kind of flights don’t come around often. And which images came through as successful, at the minimum reaching Maisel’s words of wisdom? Well, recognizing them after the fact is in part how you learn to recognize them in the viewfinder. Which one of these six didn’t meet the goal, why? Learn to see and feel this and you’re photography will vastly improve.
Jul 19, 2014 | Aviation
Being that I didn’t post for the last couple of days, thought I’d put up a Saturday post to entertain you for the weekend. Being very fortunate to have some amazing friends with some amazing aircraft in some amazing country, there is some amazing flying I get to participate in and photograph. This is just such an opportunity. This is a very rare FM-2P Wildcat that needed to be flown to be exercised. With that being the case, it was arranged that I would race back to the private airfield (had to drive 50min to get there) and in an hour, the Wildcat would do some air work around me (10min flight for it). So Sharon and I jumped in the truck and raced back to the ranch, up the hill (with D4s / 80-400VR3) to get into place.
I receive a text “launching” so I knew I had ten minutes before they arrived. I know what’s coming, this is not our first rodeo. Even so, it’s hard to press the shutter release when you see a magnificent warbird being flown on a strafing run as you might have seen in WWII pass before you. The first pass I was at 80mm but on the second I went to 250mm and while I knew it was a low percentage shot, I did get this one frame I really like (panning, panning, panning!). One aspect of flight I’m always trying for but it’s a huge challenge is communicating speed in a still image. When you can get a background that is close to the subject (major challenge with a plane) and you can blur that background, then the mind says, speed.
You should know, this same kind of opportunity is available to you as well! The relationship I have with this pilot is one that has come over time working on many projects up to this point. It’s really no different than the relationships I have with biologists getting me into projects with critters otherwise not approachable. The whole process is up to you! Getting it started, growing it and making it one that benefits all. It starts with the craft, the making of the photograph, the storytelling. Then finding, working and building the relationship which takes as much time as the craft in some cases. Then together you come up with the photographs that tells their story using your craft that you share. It’s a real easy formula that works every time once you put in the time. Today’s a great day to start yours!
Jul 16, 2014 | Aviation
Take a really fun plane, Cub, an amazing pilot; Warren Pietsch and a crazy photographer; me who is willing to hang his D4s / 16Fish OUTSIDE the plane and you’ve got a really cool video!
Jul 16, 2014 | Aviation
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Panning is such an essential tool in photography. It doesn’t matter if you photograph rocks or rabbits, stamps or sports, there is some point when capturing THE photo requires a solid panning technique. I have written many, many times about it and posted a few videos because I feel it is for many a difficult or lost art in photography. I pride myself on my panning skills, I practice them over and over again yet there are times even I feel that my panning is simply not up to par.
Well last week I had an opportunity to see if I could walk the walk and I did the talk. I had a very special, kinda one person airshow up close and personal with a P-40E Warhawk and FM-2 Wildcat. Standing on a hill, I had flybys of formation and single aircraft and they were anything but standing still. Shooting with the D4s / 80-400VR3 I planted myself on the rise and waited for the aircraft. Knowing where they were coming from, knowing how close they would be to me (which directly effect how fast you have to twist to keep them in the viewfinder) and where they would be going, I set my feet to twist and pan. They were hauling ass, no if, and or buts about it! And I missed more shots than I would have liked. Worst thing, I used a faster shutter speed than I wanted to because I knew by what I was seeing in the viewfinder they were kicking my butt. That only means one thing, I gotta get better and that means more practice. So, if your technique isn’t where you want it, you’re not alone because mine isn’t either. It’s a challenge, a good challenge that can only make our photography better if we keep at it.
