Nothing like some summer Cu for a great backdrop. This shoot was incredibly productive. I was so excited about the skies that I was changing back and forth between the Hasselblad with a 150mm on it and my Canon 35 with a 70-200. I broke a cardinal rule of mine, which is keeping all my gear on the seat to my left, away from the open fuselage side. In my haste to get this beautiful scene on both formats, I tossed the Blad on the seat across from me. We had been I perfectly smooth air for several hours, despite the beautiful build-ups, so I thought we were fine. All of a sudden we hit a patch of rough air and the photo platform went up on one wing, the Cessna 340 was in tight trailing and he saw us go wing up so he rolled the opposite direction. I pulled my EOS in to my chest and looked up to catch a glimpse of the strap of my (actually, at this point, it had become State Farm's Blad) Blad exiting the open door. The good news is we were way out in the stix and there was nothing but 100 foot pine trees beneath us for the Blad to hit. Ugh! never be tempted to fudge on your cardinal rules!
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Nov 06, 2006 at 05:12 PM GMT (Reason: spelling)
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:12 PM GMT
JW,
Never mind the book. When are you going to start running workshops for all of us frustrated aviators? (just don't foget the tuition assistance program)
You guys are great! I would love to do a workshop. Logistically it might be hard to put together to make it easy for everyone to attend. I don't have all the answers, but I could make some up! We'd have fun!! Just for grins, How many would come to a one day seminar in the west, say, San Diego, Long Beach or LA? How many in the Chicago area, how many in the east, say New Jersey, how many in the Dallas area, How many in Atlanta or Orlando? I've thought about something like this over the years but never really organized it. I've got enough pull around the country that I could probably get a space around show center for any airshow that could be our protected shooting space. We could have a casual get together Friday evening and discuss shooing techniques, shoot all day Saturday and go over our images that evening and the following day. I'll bet Canon would be more than happy to ship us some bodies and glass to experiment with. Just for quality time sake, and shooting space, we'd probably have to limit attendance to 20 or so people per day. If enough of you guys were interested, I could get some numbers together. I think the protected shooting space would be a great help. We could roam during the day but we'd always have a clear shooting space to come back to without heads, umbrellas and the like popping up in our lenses. Ideally, I'd want to set up VIP parking so none of you would be delayed in the crowd coming and going. There would be some logistics for sure but it would be fun and a great learning experience for all of us! If it was organized in this way though, it would allow me to bring the event around the country to just about everyone's area at some point during the airshow season. We'd have to figure an alternate plan if the weather shut us out. Wow! Lots to think about.
Have we set some kind of record on this site? The fact that you talented people have looked at, and commented on my images to the tune of 11,000 times in two weeks is humbling to say the least.
JW
P.S. Here's a shot of me about to become FOD
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:13 PM GMT
JW,
I live on the east coast about 80 miles north of NYC, but I would travel anywhere for a 1 or 2 day event like this. I would think that the southwest would be the easiest in that the weather is the most reliable. I may have to save my pennies, but if there are two things I love, it is photography and aviation. So count me in.....anywhere.
Nice capture. Is that up at the aerodrome? Re: our photo seminar, if it was set up perfectly with parking, our shooting space, food etc., it probably wouldn't be inexpensive, but it shouldn't be ridiculous either. I'll call some of my contacts this week and get some numbers together. I think it's important to limit the group size so we can spend quality time together. If it's not set up that way, it's another cookie cutter seminar with the goal of making lots of money. Making money is fine but I'd like everyone to go home with the best images they've ever shot, or at least the renewed skill and exitement to start capturing better images. Let's see where we can go with this.
Jim,
Yes, it was shot at the aerodrome about a month ago. One of my favorite places. You need guts to get in that cockpit. They just did a short flight down the runway, as this bird has just finished a major overhaul. They will let it fly the circuit next some time next year.
I'm thilled that you are up for this. Please keep us posted if this works out. I would be honored to learn under you, and would love to be a "charter member". Geaux was dead on, your work inspires us to do better. Thanks for your enthusiasm.
How about a clinic at Oshkosh in 2007? This event has unlimited shooting potential plus a large number of aviation photographers will already be there.
You're reading my mind. I am going to call my buddy Tom Poberezny tomorrow to see what ideas he might have. I'm usually pretty busy at AirVenture but we could figure out a way to to carve out some time. I'll let you know.
I'm constantly in awe of the perspectives we are blessed with from the air. I had a photo shoot in Missouri recently and was treated to this scenery most of the way up.
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 06:14 PM GMT
Thanks! I've been brainstorming with some business associates and friends this afternoon about putting this seminar idea in gear. Obviously AirVenture is the big venue, but it actually might be too big for what we want to accomplish. I'm thinking about two distinctly different types of gatherings. One would be a regional hotel conference room setting with a curriculum, but leaning toward lots of aviation images and discussion. Seems like the attendees should have an opportunity to bring their favorite images or even ones that didn't turn out as they had hoped so we can analyze the technique and get you where you want to be. The second would be the a field trip siuation where a very limited group and I would shoot an airshow and then process and analyze the day's catch in a fun, friendly environment that evening.
I'm involved in a plan coming together right at my home base in North Texas. If it comes to fruition we'd have a great, on airport facility with a Mustang and a couple of pristine T-6's as a backdrop for our get together. Obviuously it would be expensive, but I could see an advanced class where air to air techniques and an opportunity to shoot something sexy air to air would be part of the experience.
Guys, don't be bashful, e-mail me your thoughts at [email protected]
Both of your ideas (hotel review/field shooting) sound great. I am in Mississippi and would definatly make the trip to Texas. I was stationed at FT Hood for a few years and it would be interesting to swing through Central TX on the way.
Can you tell that you have struck nerve with folks (in a good way of course)!!
? (just don't foget the tuition assistance program) 