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Aircraft Photography

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Medina, Ohio
Posted by wayne baker on Friday, August 5, 2016 12:18 PM

 I may get so drunk, I have to crawl home. But dammit, I'll crawl like a Marine.

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Friday, August 5, 2016 11:35 AM

Here's one that's different. I was trying to get some foreground framing as this F-16 came ripping through on a low level pass. I lined everything up and gave a burst as he passed. Several so-so shots but one good one. My wife calls it luck but you do have to be there with your finger on the trigger!

Max

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Friday, August 5, 2016 10:44 AM

Say Don--that is the same type of problem that I had at the airshow. In fact, the lens was working so hard that at one point it began to hunt uncontrollably. I couldn't get it to focus. I thought that maybe I had broken it. It was a Tamron lens as well. The lens eventually stopped freaking out and it began to work ok. Maybe it overheated. Not sure. The constant change in focus sure gave the lens a workout.

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Friday, August 5, 2016 9:47 AM

Hey Don, focus is always an issue at an air show or any event where things are changing distance. Newer Canons and Nikons at least the Pro ones now have computer assist systems that not only follow but predict where the subject is going. That linked to newer fast focusing lenses has really helped the problem. Setting the focus to near infinity and stopping the lens down helps pick up some depth of field. As always you lose shutter speed but with the latest cameras the ISO can be turned up to unbelievable numbers and still get results. The bottom line is that photography is a series of comprimises that must be delt with and new technology certainly helps. We do the best we can!

Max

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Friday, August 5, 2016 8:45 AM

One problem I have with airshow photography is focus.  I find that with my Nikon DSLR camera and Tamron zoom lens (AF and IS) is that when plane is coming towards me the AF will not keep up with speed of aircraft.  If I wait till plane is at 90 degrees to start shot, then AF is still not fast enough. I was cocky enough to believe I could do a better job with manual focus- turns out that wasn't true.  The number of shots I had in-focus was a very small percent :-(

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Friday, August 5, 2016 7:41 AM

Hey Big Jim, nice shots for sure! Sorry I'm not egotistical and I hope I don't come across that way, I'm just fortunate to have had one of the best jobs on the planet. My job has been a fairy tale of adventure for sure. I am experienced and share my experiences with others as We do on the modeling forum. The guys here are experts and I'm not, I'm the one learning. 

Sharing how-to photography is also part of my life and that is why I explained how the shot was done. Last week I spent a day judging the county fair 4H photography. I provide free programs to civic groups on photography, I speak at college career days at colleges, I've published technical articles on Photography and taught Advanced Photography at College level. I Judge Photography for local events. I try to share my knowledge that I've been fortunate to receive.

I don't consider myself an expert but I am experienced enough to help other people with advice if they need it just as the Gang does on the Modeling Forum. Ego is not my purpose here. Sorry you took it that way.Smile I was only telling how I "cheat''.

Max

PS--If I sent you to the Air Show with the gear described above, You too would see the advantage I have with equipment. You would be Amazed! (and cheating.)

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Roanoke, Virginia
Posted by BigJim on Friday, August 5, 2016 6:59 AM

Hodakamax
See why I'm hard to compete with?


Can't compete with an ego like that! Propeller

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Roanoke, Virginia
Posted by BigJim on Friday, August 5, 2016 6:52 AM

BrandonD
They had five P-40s in the air at this year's Planes of Fame Airshow in April of this year.

Years ago before such air shows were basically banned around here there was a very similar air show that included WWII fighters, trainers and an F-14 Tomcat. It was amazing to see how huge the F-14 was compared to the WWII warbirds!!!

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • From: Roanoke, Virginia
Posted by BigJim on Friday, August 5, 2016 6:46 AM

Fat Albert and little friend.

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Thursday, August 4, 2016 4:54 PM

My lens of choice for wildlife and airshows is an expensive (and Heavy) Nikon 200-400 f4. It's big and klunky but incredibly sharp. Quite the load for hand held but well worth it if you're serious. Its relatively large aperature for a large telephoto gives plenty of speed and really quick autofocus. The 6K price is a hard one to swallow but I did make a living with it. With this lens the prefered body is the Nikon D7100/7200 24MP body with the DX size sensor which magnifies the lens by 1.5X over a full frame Nikon making it equivalent to a 300-600mm. See why I'm hard to compete with? I cheat.  Big Smile  

Here's the shot I promised on the AeroShell team at Oshkosh 2009.

Max

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Thursday, August 4, 2016 12:02 PM

Hey Brandon, you are not hijacking this thread and the shot is great! This is what we like to see, Aircraft Photography by everyone!

Max

PS--Being a photographer by trade I do cheat by sometimes getting special access and having any lens and equipment availiable.  Smile  Don't be intimidated, it's just my job!

 

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by BrandonD on Thursday, August 4, 2016 11:39 AM

I'm no pro, and I hope it's ok to share this one here (don't want to hijack your thread) but I thought this was the coolest heritage flight I've ever seen. They had five P-40s in the air at this year's Planes of Fame Airshow in April of this year.

-BD-

  • Member since
    January 2015
Posted by BrandonD on Thursday, August 4, 2016 11:35 AM

Great shots! I love those Blues with the F-4s. Really cool stuff.

-BD-

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Thursday, August 4, 2016 10:11 AM

Here's one from 2005. The title of this one is "Next to the Last Show". The very next show Jimmy Franklin was killed and the jet engined Waco destroyed in a mid air with a performing friend. I use this shot in lectures about the power of photography and that these shots are indeed moments in time.

Max

Copyright Max Good/Photographer

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Thursday, August 4, 2016 10:02 AM

My John, those are really nice, and this comes from a person who does this for a living for over 50 years. Good job! Blue Angels, Wow!

Max

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 9:46 PM

Excellent images guys. Its really cool to see what you have taken. Keep em coming everyone.

  • Member since
    March 2009
  • From: Yorkville, IL
Posted by wolfhammer1 on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 8:52 PM

Here are a few shots from Osh Kosh last year.

One of my favorites from the Rockford airshow 2015

All shot with a Nikon D5300 with a 55-200 Nikkor lens.

John

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: hamburg michigan
Posted by fermis on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 5:50 PM

I have a lot of airshow pics...none that I could call great, from a true photographers stand point...just a few OK pics, taken with my phone camera...

The little (local) airport I part time at, had a little airshow back in June...this is probably the best pic I got...

Again, not a great photo, but a cool pic! I was in the tractor, sweeping snow (ya can see the end of the snowblower chute, to the left). This chopper is ex-Guard, purchased by "Construction Helicopters" last year. It has since had a $150,000 paint job...haven't seen it since though.

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 5:03 PM

Bruce--no worries and thanks for the kudos.

I love their airshow. There is so much to see there, even a museum. The time that I was there they had Chicago appearing as well. They are one of my favorite bands from the old days. It was a good day... 

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho
Posted by hogfanfs on Wednesday, August 3, 2016 11:17 AM

Thank you Bakster; and I apologize, I forgot to mention your pictures look amazing!

How did you like the Oshkosh Airshow? I've been meaning the last two years to go to the Dayton Airshow.

 

 Bruce

 

 On the bench:  1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

                        1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 9:22 PM

Hey Bruce, those are some realy nice shots!

Thanks for sharing those...

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho
Posted by hogfanfs on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 6:54 PM

Here are some pictures from the 2014 Traverse City Air Show, hope you enjoy!

 Bruce

 

 On the bench:  1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

                        1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 9:24 AM

Don, thank you sir.

Yes it's easy to take that many images there. Please be sure to post some of them. I would love to see them.

Steve

  • Member since
    May 2013
  • From: From the Mit, but live in Mason, O high ho
Posted by hogfanfs on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 8:51 AM

I have some from last years air show in Traverse City. I'll post a few when I get home.

And these were not up close shots like my WIP photos, so they should be somewhat good! LOL

 Bruce

 

 On the bench:  1/48 Eduard MiG-21MF

                        1/35 Takom Merkava Mk.I

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: Twin Cities of Minnesota
Posted by Don Stauffer on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 8:44 AM

Bakster

Max--since you love planes.  Have you ever made it to EAA in Oshkosh WI? It is a candy land for the plane enthusiast.

Here are a few that I took several years ago. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very nice!  Good in-flight shots!

My wife just got back from taking our Grandson to Oshkosh.  She took over a thousand pictures, but still hasn't finished loading them into her computer, so I have not seen any of them yet.

Don Stauffer in Minnesota

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Posted by Hodakamax on Monday, August 1, 2016 1:03 PM

Yes! I may have been in the same crowd! In 2009 we flew all the way from SE KS in a Cessna 185 bush plane with all kinds of photo gear and camped under the wing for several days. Scary approach I might add! It was like a carrier approach with HEAVY traffic YIKES! I'll find and post my shot of the Aeroshell AT-6s next. Quite a lifetime adventure for sure.

Nice stuff Steve!

Max

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Monday, August 1, 2016 12:18 PM

Max--since you love planes.  Have you ever made it to EAA in Oshkosh WI? It is a candy land for the plane enthusiast.

Here are a few that I took several years ago. 

 

 

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
  • From: Franklin Wi
Posted by Bakster on Monday, August 1, 2016 10:30 AM

Max, that is a nice shot. You can really see how tight their formation is.

Color film hey? I remember those days. The novice like me had to bracket shots and HOPE that I got a decent exposure. And then, HOPE that the lab develops the film ok. I guess that is why I like digital. You can instantly see what you imaged and make adjustments. But, I digress. 

Later, I will post some images as well. Keep em coming folks.

  • Member since
    April 2016
  • From: Parsons Kansas
Aircraft Photography
Posted by Hodakamax on Monday, August 1, 2016 9:09 AM

Hey Gang, Baxter and I have been discussing phtography under the Model Photography part of the Forum. Me, being the pro (I hate that word) was asked to show some aviation photography from my files. Steve suggested that we move them to the Aircraft part where they might be relevant. Photographers always like to have victims to see their work. Let's try a few. Here's an oldie when the Blue Angels flew F-4s and color film was mediocre.

Max Good/Photographer

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