Mustang Air to Air

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Archive 2006 · Mustang Air to Air

DARKSTI
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p.3 #1 · Mustang Air to Air

I am out of words....I aspire to be half as good as you! Any tips for the Reno Air Races? I live in Incline/Reno and go, so any help would be great

Oct 18, 2006 at 03:30 AM

jerboyd
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p.3 #2 · Mustang Air to Air

Jim,

Great work --- Incredible work. I am just an armature at this stuff compared to your work. I do have a few of my own posted on my web page. Would love to know what an expert thinks of my modest work.

Any tips, areas I should focus on?

What is your primary camera/lens combo for aviation assignments?

Jeremy

Oct 18, 2006 at 08:00 AM

EOSDNG
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p.3 #3 · Mustang Air to Air

Pictures are described in one single word: fantastic

Oct 18, 2006 at 09:04 AM

dolfo
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p.3 #4 · Mustang Air to Air

Well, WOW.

And I mean it.

Congrats, thanks for sharing.

-dolfo

Oct 18, 2006 at 11:39 AM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #5 · Mustang Air to Air

Hi Ryan,

Thanks Buddy! You're probably better than me right now. Tips for Reno would be like anywhere else, shoot lots. Look for vignettes, people/props guys crawling all over big engines and of course all shots are best during those sweet light times early/late in the day. Do you have pylon credentials? I hear the Feds are really restricting that these days. Out at the pylons, again shoot lots, work on pans and slower shutter speeds so you capture the motion and emotion of those beauties ripping around the course. Those shots that get several aircraft compressed in the turns are really a matter of luck with some skill mixed in, track 'em going around and shoot lots again. Getting in the rythmic groove as you pan with the racers is just a matter of practice. In the days of film you shot bunches and didn't really know how you did until days later at the light box. Digital lets you see if you're getting it right there, how great!

I'm going to look for a shot I did at Reno years ago. I was walking back to Tiger Destefani's pit and glanced over my shoulder saw this happening and kind of just shot from the hip. It turned out to be pretty unique, see what you think.

JW

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:51 PM GMT

Oct 18, 2006 at 03:12 PM

DARKSTI
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p.3 #6 · Mustang Air to Air

That is a great shot!

I am working on the pylon credentials for next year since I may have some other motorosports that will hopefully get my portfolio built up.

Thanks for the tips!

Oct 18, 2006 at 07:31 PM

Tim Adams
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p.3 #7 · Mustang Air to Air

Fantastic Mustang shots. Somehow, some way, I have to get a chance to shoot air to air!!

Which Mustang is it? I don't recognize it.

Oct 18, 2006 at 10:47 PM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #8 · Mustang Air to Air

Hi Tim,

When you do get a chance to shoot air to air, choose your platform, pilot and subject carefully. I can't tell you the number of times I've been told, "my buddy rents this 172 and he can fly you to take the pictures", or "we don't need a trained formation pilot and a safety pilot, all I want are a couple of good shots". There's a million ways to be suckered into a dangerous situation by the lure of a great air to air image. I've done hundreds of air to air shoots and if they aren't done right, they're risky business. You lessen the risks considerably by knowing your crew, knowing that your subject pilot/aircraft are formation proficient, and that everyone understands the objectives and how you plan to get there. It is just flat amazing how quickly two aircraft can get together (in a bad way) if anyone loses their focus. Most of the editorial stuff I shoot, the aircraft I'm shooting is being flown by the same gentleman. He's an F-15 instructor instructor and has been there many times over and has all the t-shirts. We know each other so well in the air that we could almost do the routine without a transmission, but we know the risks, so nobody moves without announcing intentions and getting confirmation. The discipline keeps you safe, and if you think it's not hard for each person to burn a hole in their task, ask my pilot how bad he wanted to look over at that Mustang tucked up underneath our wing.

Hope you get to do it, it's a thrill each and every time. One time will give you a tremendous respect for the process, cause you're shooting something that's moving, from something that's moving, and you're both suspended in air that's moving. Sometimes even your breakfast is wanting to move!

Good luck, keep safe!

JW

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Oct 19, 2006 at 07:56 AM GMT (Reason: spelling)

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Jan 27, 2007 at 03:34 PM GMT (Reason: spelling)

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:52 PM GMT

Oct 19, 2006 at 04:46 AM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #9 · Mustang Air to Air

A side note on that last image. It was shot on Velvia 50 and there's not a speck of retouch or enhancement. We went around and around with those cirrus in the background until we both thought we were going to hurl. Remember the days of film when the cameras were lacking that little preview screen on the back? I thought that shot had potential to be cool, but didn't know for sure until it roll out of the soup at the lab.

Unfortunately, a week later I lost my friend.

JW

Oct 19, 2006 at 05:00 AM

DARKSTI
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p.3 #10 · Mustang Air to Air

Thats an amazing shot. Thats sad you lost your friend though

Oct 19, 2006 at 05:06 AM

Hutchy
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p.3 #11 · Mustang Air to Air

WoW!

I've been doing some air to air shots over the past year for a cargo company, but nothing quite in this league. Thanks for giving me some added inspiration (over and above the thrill of shooting this type of subject).

Also, I'm glad you mentioned the danger factor. My first shoot a while back was FAR too dangerous. When you're hanging out of a plane you really want to make sure you're going to stay in the plane. There was no incident and nobody hurt but in hindsite, I should have had a better harness. I was lured into taking some great shots and forgot about my own safety. Lesson learnt!

Great shots! Could see an exhibition in the future?

Oct 19, 2006 at 01:46 PM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #12 · Mustang Air to Air

Good point Hutchy,

A couple of years ago I was asked to photograph a golf course and get low level perspectives of all the fairways. My helicopter arrived an hour later than he was scheduled and I was losing the sweet light so I was scrambling when he landed. I grabbed my gear, jumped in and we took off. The views were tree top level so I asked the pilot to fly sideways, beginning over a lake, tilting the helicopter at a pretty good angle and keeping it there as we flew down the fairway to the green. As he positioned the ship per my request, I leaned way out, looking almost straight down it was right about then that I realized that old familiar restraining sensation I was used to, wasn't there. In my rush, I never buckled in and my pilot didn't double check me. It makes me queasy just thinking about how close I came to falling out of that helicopter. Whether I'm flying for fun or on an aviation related shoot, I have a built in alarm now that goes off when anyone involved in the process starts to rush or get disorganized, there's no room for it in something this demanding.

JW

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Nov 01, 2006 at 11:21 PM GMT (Reason: spelling)

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Jan 27, 2007 at 03:35 PM GMT (Reason: spelling)

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:53 PM GMT

Oct 19, 2006 at 02:35 PM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #13 · Mustang Air to Air

An exhibition? You know, I've never stopped shooting long enough to put one together. I know my lab would participate in the printing costs. Literally, I have 5,000 images in the files that are equal to, or better than the ones I've posted here over the past week. While I'd love to do an exhibition, I really don't have the slightest idea where I'd begin. Thanks for asking though!

JW

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:54 PM GMT

Oct 19, 2006 at 02:48 PM

esa17
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p.3 #14 · Mustang Air to Air

When most guys close their eyes they see girls, I've always seen airplanes. Now I'm seeing these shots, hopefully that doesn't violate the copyright! :P

Oct 19, 2006 at 07:41 PM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #15 · Mustang Air to Air

Thanks! First, I'm granting you a visionary copyright release so you can conjure them up anytime without fear of the copyright police or black helicopters or anything. Secondly, if you're married, it's much better for marital longevity to envision airplanes. Although, sometimes I think my wife would have preferred I envisioned women rather than a hangar full of aluminum!

JW

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:56 PM GMT

Oct 19, 2006 at 09:16 PM

grmedhat1
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p.3 #16 · Mustang Air to Air

Wow! That's incredible photography. I truly mean it. I'm speechless. Thanks for sharing.

Oct 19, 2006 at 09:45 PM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #17 · Mustang Air to Air

Hi Garry & Kevin,

Thank you! What I think is incredible is that 1600+ of you talented people have taken time to enjoy my work and comment on it. I do what I do because I love it, I'd do it for free (please don't tell my clients), and I appreciate the time and reinforcement you've given me!

Sincerely,

Jim

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:57 PM GMT

Oct 20, 2006 at 04:10 AM

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p.3 #18 · Mustang Air to Air

This beautiful Waco Taperwing is owned and flown regularly (not generally right side up) by a gentleman affectionately known as "The Great Dobransky", quite a stick, quite a guy!!

JW

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:57 PM GMT

Oct 20, 2006 at 04:15 AM

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p.3 #19 · Mustang Air to Air

There's roomier cabins but not much sexier airframes...

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:58 PM GMT

Oct 20, 2006 at 11:12 PM

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p.3 #20 · Mustang Air to Air

FLYAMT.com and the Extra...

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:59 PM GMT

Oct 20, 2006 at 11:13 PM

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p.3 #21 · Mustang Air to Air

Thunderbirds in the desert heat...

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 02:59 PM GMT

Oct 20, 2006 at 11:14 PM

midas
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p.3 #22 · Mustang Air to Air

As usual, nice work Jim. Samantha also approves.

Scott Meril:-)

Oct 20, 2006 at 11:36 PM

JWilsonphoto
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p.3 #23 · Mustang Air to Air

Thanks Sam & Scott!

Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 03:00 PM GMT

Oct 21, 2006 at 12:24 AM

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p.3 #24 · Mustang Air to Air

Rolin', Rollin', Rollin'...

Oct 21, 2006 at 12:27 AM

Blackstar
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p.3 #25 · Mustang Air to Air

Just Amazing!!
I can't get over the color and sharpness.

Oct 21, 2006 at 12:35 AM


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