Aircraft Photography

Wow Gang! check this out!  Two things happening here. First I converted to Imageshack and ran some tests. Much sharper! I've been fiddling with this for two hours--Let's see if this all works.

 I liked everyones photography so much, I listed 12 of my favorites so far. I'm the judge so I get to put one of mine in. LOL. The quality of our submissions so far has been exceptional and the photographers need credit for sure. All submissions were fun and represented history, art and peoples recording of events which I call "Being there''.

Ok, one's a deer but he is flying! This is only 12 of many nice photographs. Good work Gang!

Max

That's pretty good, I may have to look into that program.  Have you hasd any problems, and how easy is it? 
one more, does it cost?

As far as how big a B-52 is, the wing span is 185 feet, she's 159 feet long, and the tail stands about 5 stories tall.

It takes 429 steps depending on your stride, to walk around a B-52 sitting on alert because you have to walk outside the red painted line surrounding the aircraft.

I started using ImageShack January of this year, no issues so far.  I'm on the $4 monthly plan, which gets you a max image size of 25MB, no ads, and a automatic backup.

3 of my pics made the cut, coolness.

Sounds like you might have been a SAC "cold warrior."  Me, too.  Loved
those B-52G's and H's.  Fascinating airplanes!  LOL, I remember those red
lines all too well.

While my AFSC was Law Enforcement, I did time on the flight line at different bases, Ellsworth, Loring,  U-Tapao.  At U-Tapao and Korat if they went on alert everybody switched radio frequencies to the combat freq. and came under Air Base Defense Control.  If you were recalled, your posting was ready for when you arrived at the armory.  I learned and took the advice given on my first duty day in S.E.A. and learned to drive our armored vehicles.

I was at Minot but by that time I was working flight operations.:

Found a couple more!

This is a Super Puma, belonging to "Construction Helicopters", based at my airport.

Another "C/H" bird. This one is based in Canada.

Yankee Warrior gettin fired up!

Stinson

Love the "tricky" prop on this one! That's my bro in back, they flew out from Mirimar...you can see some damage on the left side of the wind screen...nailed a hawk on final.

Side note...The pilots "name" was Mongo....I make him a kill mark sticker!

Got a couple low passes from this guy, just as I was showing up to work one morning...

One last pic...NOT an AIRplane...but related and very cool!

Stumbled upon this in our tiny little town, in the parking lot across from the pub...

Thanks for the B-52 pic's!!!  They really brought back memories!  I was in aircraft maintenance, OMS.  At Castle AFB, '75 - '79, we were flying "G" and "H" models, but had the last remaining "E" and "F" models along with some "D" models.  They were called "Crested Dove."  We maintained them in flyable storage and eventually transferred them to Davis Monthan for destruction.  Those old "tall tails" were really majestic.  Thanks again for the great pic's.

This was my last assigned bird while I was in uniform.

 I'm sure you notice that I post pictures one at a time. I usually shoot things from different angles (at least the stationary ones), and pick the best. That way you will never know that I have many not so good and even bad pictures that I'm never going to show anybody. This comes from my profession where an assignment may only require one shot so you shoot several options and choose the best. Here's an example. If I have a slot for this picture, which one do I use? One has a good example of foreground framing but the other has crew members walking toward the aircraft and a better angle on the Dreamlifter. This time I don't have to choose so I'll show both. For fun, which one would you pick?  

Max

After posting several shots on the Forum, I was disappointed in the sharpness of my photos. A bit of testing between Photobucket and Imageshack reveals quite an increase in quality.

 Click on these and check out the difference. Also the Dreamlifter pictures above are Imageshack. I'm happy again and as always you get what you pay for.  

Max

Imageshack

And a repost for the B-52 shot which is now much better.

Max

Say Max, I will jump in on your survey. For me and my brain, I prefer the second image hands down. With the first image my brain doesn't want to go past the engines in the foreground.

I think that brings up the question. The first image as composed makes me ask: what is the subject matter? Is it the foreground? Or is it the background?

That same question can be asked of the second image, and that seems much clearer.

I once had a photography instructor say something to me that really hit home. He asked...What makes a great picture? The usual answers came from the class. Most thought composition, as I would have thought. His reply? All that is true but if you look at all the great images, they all tell a story. Lets take for example an image of a crane. In this scenario everthing is there for a cool image. The lighting, sharpness, and composition are all spot on. Now he says, what if that crane is in the midst of capturing a small fish. That...he says, is what takes a cool image into a great image. A pretty picture, to a pretty picture that tells a story.

In addition to what I like about your second image is that it speaks to me. I see the two military personnel in the foreground and I wonder... Why are they there with all those civilians? Are they linked somehow to this jet? It kind of tells a story. I like that image more for that, than for the image of the jet itself.

Just my two cents and that is about all its worth. :)

Hmmm, excellent questions! How we would choose between the two pictures would depend on the story we're trying to tell. If we are featuring the Dreamlifter, it would be the second one with a better view and a little added story or at least questions about the walking crew. However, If the subject is the Airshow or the Giants there, number one fills the bill. Now, if we are looking at this as photography different things come into play, mostly composition. The foreground framing is a good composition tool although fairly strong as you mentioned. As far as factors like visual impact and composition the first one would probably be picked. The second one has the plane pointing out of the picture and probably needs a crop on right side to get the crew a little closer to the rule of thirds coordinates. The crew some what offsets the plane pointing out of the picture and it becomes a usable combination but not as good as the strong lines of the first one.

Again, good observation and question, and I think the answer is about what you are trying to say. That's why I posted them, to bring a discussion!  

Max

Say Max, so true. It really is about what you are trying to say and or accomplish. You point that out very well. I am an artsy kind of person and so I am always looking through those lenses. My observation was as if from a person that doesn't know it is an air show or what the intended subject is supposed to be. I let the images speak to me for themselves, not the appropriate way for the question to be looked at probably. 

Btw.. I love the Imageshack and Photobucket comparison that you did. I really like how the imageshack image looks, displays, and functions. I will have to give it more thought. I hate paying for something if I don't have to, but that is pretty reasonable, and it might be worth the price with the improved functionality. I really do not like how Photobucket works. 

Hey Bakster, here's your shot from another thread that needs to be on this thread. I was looking for it to put in my top 12 so far. Just found it. Good shot my friend! You're on the list for my next top 12 (whatever that's worth.LOL!)

Max

Hey Max, that is kind of you sir. Your top 12 sounds like a good place to be my friend. 

BTW Max... I want to add that I really like the image that you used in the imageshack/photobucket comparison. F16s?

There is a lot that I like about this image. The interesting angle... the heat distortion at the rear of the lead plane, and what really brings it all together for me is that yes... this has a story. If without knowing the story behind this image, and if being utterly ignorant of how these jets are being used... I could imagine them lining up for takeoff on some secret sortie. You can even get a sense of motion. I can imagine the planes rolling up the runway just before they punch it. Its a gorgeous shot. 

Once I dug that shot out of the archives (which probably would have been lost forever had it not been for a call for images by this Forum), I realized that it was a good moment in time shot. After I posted it I began to look a little closer. Things are in the right place as for composition and the places that are supposed to be sharp are. Sharpness draws your eye to where it should be namely the F-16 coming at you. The exhaust heat waves are blurring everything else in a weird way and the sharp F-16 does seem poised for a serious mission.

Not that I planned any of this but I was there observing and actually captured this scene. I hate to admit it but part of photography is luck or at least being at the right place at the right time.

Thanks for your observation of a really good shot, not by me, but by 'being there' as we say. This is certainly a good example of crossing time coordinates which what photography is all about. (and you do have good taste! LOL!) 

Fun conversation!

Max

Yeah all that is missing for that image is the song Danger Zone!

You are right about the sharpness of the lead plane. That seriously draws you in. The plane off to the left is softer but that is good. That helps to create the mood and draw your eyes to the lead plane. You have the perfect balance there and the image screams professional. 

I wouldn't disagree that luck is involved. Many awesome images are made from being at a  location at the right time, and or, camping out until the perfect condition comes up. But...wouldn't you agree that for the seasoned photographer like yourself, they know how to maximize the shot, and you do so maybe as second nature? I think that is where the skill comes in. Like in the shot that you took. Do you recall if you were thinking about the DOF when you took that image? Or was that just a happy accident that you struck that balance? 

I am not a professional photographer at any stretch of the imagination. I might be thinking about the DOF, but knowing what Fstop is best would be a guessing game for me. By the time that I might figure it out, the shot would be lost. That skill probably comes with a lot of practice, and knowing your gear. What say you?

I agree. Fun conversation for sure.

Oh...thanks about my good taste. That counts for something! Laughing...

As for nailing the shot, your job on an assignment is to get the customers shot and the customer may be you. I do get focused (so to speak) on what I'm looking for. Composition and timing is paramount along with the technical part of selected focus and optimum lighting and such. When you shoot everyday you really become familiar with the equipment and it's all just tools. As for the F-16s the parameters were set before I started for necessary shutter speed, DOF and light availiable.  At an event whether wildlife or air show you need to keep thinking light and position and be prepared for upcoming events. All actually quite fun. What a great time I had in my career. Several times I couldn't believe that I was getting paid to be in pit lane shooting NASCAR or space artifacts like Apollo 13 for education. The worst of course, was weddings which wasn't worth any kind of money and I soon got out of that business. LOL but not funny at the time! Just a job, but several great adventures!

Well, I've certainly raved on about photography long enough tonight. Can you tell this is one of my passions? LOL! 

Max

Neat stuff, Max. We have gone off into some of the more technical aspects of photography but this thread reaches back to include a little of something for everyone. People have contributed some amazing images and I have enjoyed seeing all of them. This is good stuff.

Until later...

Max, I am honored to have made it to your favorite 12. Especially consideringall the great photos that have been displayed so far. This is a great thread.

The top 12 thing was fun. I often judge photography for different events from kids to serious adults. To keep it fair and hopefully unbiased I've establised a set rules that tells people what is good or not so good about their work. I set the same guidelines for myself. Not only do the people entered learn but so do I. This is why it's good for all of us to see our work compared with others and to learn from each other. Here's my criteria.

1. Technical. Is it sharp where needed, properly exposed, cropped, blacks black and whites white, clean (literally) and so on.

2. Composition. Big subject! Examples woud be rule of thirds. Lines, colors, contrast or anything that brings your eye to the subject. In the case of moving things, more room in front than back. Things in the right place.

3. Visual Impact. Does it stand out among others. When you go in a room with 10 pictures on the wall, which do you look at first? Some factors could be raw color or contrast, simplicity, even size. All important in advertising.

4. Time. Photography is about moments captured. Sunsets and bridges will be there everyday to shoot. The crash of the Hindenburg will not. Being there at the right time and conditions and the rareity of the moment is what photography is all about.

5. Wow! factor. Did I say wow when I looked at your work? Yes I did. 1-5 points for that.

That's how you were judged at least by me (for what that's worth, LOL!!). I hope these guidelines help you in photography. Rarely do we get all the points in all the subjects but it's a good way to analyze our photography.

How's that?

Max

Very cool shot, ww2psycho. 

That all sounds good, Max. 

Yes! Cool shot for sure ww2p. Painting like. (and Wow!)

This is just a fun one, reeling them in with the big lens! (and he was close)  .

Max

ww2psycho

 

That, just made "it" move a lil bit!

WW2 psycho's shot is Miss January on the next pick 12 calendar! Baxters' F-22 is February, slots filling up Gang, better send in submissions! 

Max