Have you guys caught the new release from Canon? The 1D MKIII is another blockbuster bit of design technology from a company I have grown to trust for equipment beyond cutting edge. I'm supposed to have mine in a couple of weeks, I'll let you know just how phenominal it is. They have addressed the sensor dust problem in spades with a self cleaning sensor and an additional function that allows the photographer to map any tough dust and the camera then deals with it as it processes the image. I guess you'd use this in the field if the cleaning system couldn't get rid of something particularly difficult. Guess my 1DMKII goes on the block as soon as this camera proves itself. I can hardly wait for the 1DsMKIII, I'm sure it'll be incredible too.
I'm off to the International Society of Aviation Photographers 2007 symposium next week. I've talked about it before but this is a great group of people and a tremendous resource of talent. Many of the members make their living full time in aviation photography, but there are a number of members who just love aviation and photography. Their motivation for joining ISAP is to tap into the wealth of experience and comraderie that resides within. This symposium is a good example, the fee is $250 plus travel and hotel for three days of speakers you couldn't get anywhere else. This year's group will include Scott Kelby the #1 Photoshop Guru in the world, Paul Bowen arguably the top aviation shooter in the world, the photographic team on staff at Lockheed-Martin, just to name a few. I spoke at the symposium in Vegas a couple of years ago and presenting to that distinguished group remains one of the highlights of my career. Aside from the great speakers, each symposium generally includes a couple of field trips, this year it will be a private session in The Museum of Naval Aviation and a couple of side trips to Tyndall or Eglin AFB for some up close and personal time with our country's finest in action.
If the weather cooperates, I'll send you a few images from the event. If anyone would like to join, just let me know, I'll orchestrate and epedite your membership behind the scene, it's $50.00 annually. ISAP has a new, very complete website up. I look for the group to grow by leaps and bounds.
Here's a little variety! Just so you don't think I've ventured into pet portraiture (not that there's anything wrong with pet portraiture), this had a commercial application.
Someone was trying to shoot a Harley and was going to try black plexi underneath (a nightmare). Here's the black plaxtic sheet and 2" of water technique that works so much better.
Still like yours with the Flying Tiger...any word on your JWilson photo t-shirts yet? It is starting to turn spring here and t-shirt weather...
This is a great image Jim..send it to HarleyD- HQq.
Dan
I should have some word on the shirts when I get back from ISAP. I'm headed to shoot the Museum of Naval Aviation at 6:30 in the morning and will be shooting on the flight line at Pensacola NAS as well.
Today was a blur of wonderful presentations including Scott Kelby of Photoshop fame and a number of internationally known aviation shooters, great day!
I forgot to mention that I demo'd the 1D MKIII today.......incredible! Between the larger preview (with live mode) screen, lightening fast buffer and auto focus, and the dust removal technology, it's more than I ever imagined, even from the boys at Canon. This one will take advantage of write accelerated cards for the first time. They grin and look at the ceiling when I ask them when mine will ship, but I get the impression it will be in the next three to four weeks. Bye-Bye MKII.
I don't think I've shared this one with you all yet... it's grainy, and not that good, and it's from Oshkosh 2006, but I really liked the effect of a near-collision. Far more luck than skill in this capture, but I hope someday to get a better-looking second attempt!
Beautiful day in Pensacola. The Navy opened the Museum early for us and served us a great breakfast. We enjoyed their warm hospitality surrounded by an incredible amount of Naval Aviation history. Truly one of the best museums I've had the pleasure of viewing.
For those who wanted the opportunity, two Top Gun in the making Navy guys escorted us to the flight line for some shooting. They are really making it easy for these guys, I didn't see a single tailwheel on these T-6's!
Great shot you got of the Blues, and of the flightline. I drove over there to the museum with our CAP cadet squadron last year and shot a bunch of photos inside. My shot of the Blues wasn't as good since I didn't have a good wide-angle lens at the time. Here's a link to my pbase account where I've posted all of the photos I took that day (a few good, most just OK).
Jim - did you get to Fort Barrancas? It sits just to the east of the museum. We dropped by there on the way back home and I took a few shots there also. The day was very windy with a lot of clouds making it tough to shoot outside. However, good or bad, the photos are there for all to see.
A couple of weeks ago I purchased a used Canon 5D to take some of my aerial shots. It turns out that the 20D just didn't have enough resolution to allow big enlargements from the aerial shoots (up to 40x60 in some cases, mostly 20x30). I spent last weekend in the JAX-St Augustine-Palatka area shooting 60 locations in 3 days. Since we couldn't start until nearly 1100am due to fog, we only got one flight in each day and averaged 20 locations in a little over 3.5 hrs of flying. Gosh...that was ALMOST like work!
For some reason that picture just looks so... well... "America the Beautiful" to me. Red in the wings, white in the wake, blue in the water, with the green of wide open spaces and opportunity making a perfect backdrop.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
That's a tough one to capture. You need to track it perfectly and let the motor drive rip.
You're entirely right, of course... with a faster camera. With my limited skills and the more humble D70s I was using then, 2.5 fps was not going to get me that shot. So the best I could do was look at both planes, estimate where they'd cross, prefocus, and try to press the shutter at just the right time.
Here is another Oshkosh 2006 picture I just found looking at my archives today:
That's a cool shot! We just wrapped up ISAP 2007 and I'm headed for bed. The event always ends with a dinner and each year I am more amazed at the talent and humbled to be with the group. Where could you possibly go to have the opportunity that ISAP affords it's family? In the last 30 minutes I shook hands and hugged goodbye amongst Shuttle Commander and Commander of all Nasa astronauts Hoot Gibson, Paul Bowen, Russell Munson (FLYING), Jim Koepnick and Bonnie Krantz (EAA), The photographic staff from Lockheed Martin, Caroline Sheen (Smithsonian Air & Space), the great art directing team at AOPA, the head marketing people from Canon and Nikon. Not to mention the dedicated people, now friends that dreamed up and invested so much energy in the creation and growth of the organization.
That alone would be enough, but in addition, the past three days have been filled with field trips, presentations from the best of the best from around the world. Experts from Photoshop to Copyright law, photographers and aviation artists from around the world, sharing techniques, stories, incredible images and much of themselves, without reservation. Quite a group!
