Refurb D3s – Now in Stock!
My good bud Jeff Snyder at Adorama just emailed that they have 6 D3s in stock, refurb and killer prices. You want, act now!
Wishing all a Great Turkey Day!
With so much to be thankful for, Moose & Sharon wishes you
all a great Turkey Day!
Seriously – 1/45, really?!
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I received a whole lot of emails with this phrasing of the question summing them all up. “Please tell how us mortal men can handle hold at a mere 1/45?” I realize that for many, this seems like just an unobtainable feat but it really isn’t. Getting sharp images at this slow shutter speed first required proper handholding technique. Personally, since I often heft the 200-400VR2, I have a 10lbs weight at my desk that I constantly pump so so I have a little extra muscle for handholding the bigger glass. One thing I can’t stress enough it practice and I firmly believe daily practice is a must for shooting at slow shutter speeds. Next, when it comes to air-to-air, your ass is literally strapped to the floor of the photo platform. That strap is connected to a harness that secures you from falling out. I actually pull against that while shooting with my whole body. Air-to-air takes a toll on you in part because of this massive isometric exercise you do the whole time. So you’re pulling your elbows in, pressing the camera against your forehead, pulling against the floor of the plane while you pucker your ass shooting out a open door 3000 feet above the ground! Lastly, I have no doubt that the VR in the 24-120AFS and 70-200VR2 makes a difference since I am shooting from an unstable platform. The planes bounces and turns and jostles and that can’t help getting a sharp image at these slow speeds no matter how well you handhold or pucker your ass, VR must be coming into play. And that’s is really all there is to it. A little technique, a little muscle, a little VR and a pinch of being nuts!
Photo captured by D3x, 24-120AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Class Extra Credit
One of the more difficult aspects of aviation photography for most I think is understanding and including the human element. I know for myself that it wasn’t until a plane fell on my head that I got it. But now that I do, I constantly look for that human element like this co-pilot sticking his head out the window to talk to the gathered crowd.
And this is on occasion when the long lens rules! Compacting a scene, staying away and keeping the public away from the subject, controlling background are just some of the reasons why shooting with the 200-400 at f/4 just sings in aviation photography. Here, the Fifi crew pose for a group portrait for all the fans who have come out to see here. They are heroes to me!
Photos captured by D3x, 200-400VR2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
The Rewards of Presenting
Just finished our presentation at the Central Valley Birding Symposium. It’s kinda going back to our roots when we would pack up our very young sons in the station wagon and after work drive hours to somewhere in the state and present at a Audubon meeting and then drive back home again late that night. The CVBS was a great group of folks with special treats like David’s delightful parents. One was meeting I predict a soon to be famous nature photographer. Ben Knoot is a 14yr old photographer who presented an amazing show to share his experience from the scholarship he has been provided by the CVBS. I got to talk with Ben and his father a little while and all I can say is, the profession needs more young folks like Ben coming up the ranks. Great job Ben! And thanks to CVBS for a memorable evening!
And We Cheated Death, One More Time!
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I wanta thank the students, the pilots, the great planes, AZ CAF and fellow instructors Richard & Doug for a great, great workshop! And a special, giant thank you to our sponsors, Nikon, Adorama (Thx Jeff), Lexar and Lastolite for having faith in this brand new workshop and making it a huge success!