In the realm of air to air photography, obviously the final photo that tells the story is the ultimate goal. In that pursuit, there are so many challenges to overcome and one of the big ones is the photo platform. The photo platform is your perch in the sky from where you watch the action, direction the action and finally, photograph the action. There are soooo many possible and great photo platforms and like anything in photography, finding the one that works best for your style of photography is important. Whether but a lucky coincidence or necessity is the mother of invention, a month ago I was inserted into the back of a TBM-3E Avenger to test as a photo platform. I’ve not used anything else since. Here’s a small idea of what’s happening.
You can see me in that doorway, the white shirt with the black safety harness strapping my butt in. The white shirt and red gloves are so the subject aircraft pilots can easily see me. The safety harness is adjusted so the most that can get out the door is part of my left foot. In addition, the seat I’m sitting on has a huge, wide belt that holds me in. I’m wearing a headset so I can talk to the pilot and I use hand signals primarily to move the subject aircraft around in arranging the elements in the photograph. The D4s / 70-200f4AFS is attached to a Vulture Strap which is around my neck and on a tether anchored in the plane so it can’t go out. There is so much room in the back I can stand up (if I were not harnessed in) and not hit my head and if you look in the video, you can see the window in the ass of the TBM where I can shoot as well. The photo above is my taking Brent’s photo as he’s taking the video of me shooting out the TBM door.
The TBM is not a commonly used photo platform and for our pilots, seeing me peak in and out as I shoot was, well, that’s unique. That of course makes for photos, from both points of view. You can see here Alan in the B-25J “Betty’s Dream” with his trusty iPhone taking my photo you see below. You see above my photo of Alan I took while he took my photo. The most important person you really don’t see here who I trust explicitly is Sam, the pilot of the TBM who is providing the safe, stabile platform from which to shoot. The take away for you and your photography should be this. You must have faith and trust in your photo platform and subject aircraft pilots. This is #1 and without that, don’t fly! Next, you must know that the aircraft that will be flying in formation are matched to fly in formation together. The photo platform must work for you, your photography and the story you want to tell visually. Comfort is not part of this equation as some rides while do an excellent job, are not comfortable. Finally, you have to feel safe and able to concentrate on the task at hand and have fun. There are lots of option, think them through and educate yourself. The sky is the limit!
