I guess the best way to describe it, Jim, is to try to isolate yourself from anything that's hard and/or vibrating. Don't lean or rest your shoulder, back, arms, camera.... against part of the aircraft. Then, what I do anyway, is tuck elbows tight against my body, and right before I begin to fire off frames, I slowly begin to release the tension holding my elbows, all the while exhaling.
I've posted this shot before on FM but I don't remember which thread. But regardless, it shows the result of the above technique. This is handheld from the open door of another helicopter at 1/50.
Also, try a few shots at higher shutter speeds then slow down until you see good-enough prop blur so you can follow Dan's advice. On some high-revving engines, I've seen pictures at 1/250 show nice prop blur. Others need as slow as 1/80 to blur. So at the beginning, try one or two shots at high speed, one or two shots a little slower, and so on. In 2-3 minutes you'll have an idea of what shutter speeds you need to hit in order to get the effect you want.
Someone with more experience please correct me if I'm saying something that's not quite right.
Sorry to be so slow joining in, I've been out on assignment and returned to find that the 100 mph winds had thrown several of my trees into neighboring pools/yards. Been kind of busy all around. I can't top the great advice Rodolfo and Dan have already given. I'll just echo Dan's cautionary reminder about safety. We don't tell you guys this stuff because we want to have all the business (well, we do want to have all the business!), you just can't emphasize it strongly enough. Air to air is a dangerous line of work if you're all seasoned pros and used to working with one another, if there's a component that's anything less than that, it becomes about like Russian Roulette on the risk scale.
I tell you what... you can read this thread and walk away for a while and go back and read it again and again... one other thing for sure... you can't skim it just looking for one particular thing! You just get caught up in it all over again and find yourself reading every page and drinking in the images. What an outstanding collection of images.
This time, I got to page 66 before i realized it would be easier to just ask my question - as i'm running out of time and i know there are over a 100 total pages to look at... again!
Sometime back an airshow was announced here for a large gathering of WWII fighters somewhere in the upper midwest this summer or early fall. I thought I bookmarked the web page but its now gone. Would someone repost the info?
I was talking to my wife's step father this last weekend and telling him about the show and he wanted to know some more about it. He flew in WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm before retiring. He has flown the Enola Gay and the Memphis Belle among others. At his mid 80s now, his memories are what keep him going and the airshow might be a great thing for him to enjoy.
The event is The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, I think if you Google GML2000 it will find it. We've got over 65 Mustangs coming and the number increases daily, plus Corsairs, B-25's and a bunch of others. Columbus Ohio, Eddie Rickenbacker Field is the location. Let me know if you have trouble finding it on the web and I'll get you the exact link. I'm glad you're still enjoying our thread, it's been fun for me too. I can't begin to count the great people I've "met" through "Mustang Air to Air", I consider you all good friends. Since we began this discourse you wouldn't believe the number of people who have come up and introduced themselves to me at different venues. I instantly recognizetheir screen name and I enjoy meeting each one!
The event is The Gathering of Mustangs and Legends, I think if you Google GML2000 it will find it. We've got over 65 Mustangs coming and the number increases daily, plus Corsairs, B-25's and a bunch of others. Columbus Ohio, Eddie Rickenbacker Field is the location. Let me know if you have trouble finding it on the web and I'll get you the exact link. I'm glad you're still enjoying our thread, it's been fun for me too. I can't begin to count the great people I've "met" through "Mustang Air to Air", I consider you all good friends. Since we began this discourse you wouldn't believe the number of people who have come up and introduced themselves to me at different venues. I instantly recognizetheir screen name and I enjoy meeting each one!
Thanks Jim and all the rest - this is a great bunch here - i have so much to learn and I know I'm spending my time with the best!
You know... it occurs to me that if enough of the members of this forum happen to show up at the show... there's gonna be an awful ot of talented glass pointed skyward. What a learning op! Plus the images might be a valuable barganing tool to get credentials into areas unobstructed by regular attenders... I know its a big show and all - but what about it - is it possible?
I sure hope lot's of our friends from here are able to make the show. I think credentials are probably going to be pretty tightly held at this event. Event organizers are becoming more and more aware of liability, that Blue Angel mishap could just as easily taken out a number of fo;ks within the airshow boundary. Additional they have crowd control and press control and organization to worry about. They are planning on giving unprecedented access to the few that have credentials and that will be labor intensive for them to oversee so they want to keep the number of folks that are allowed beyond the crowd line to a small number. My good friend Paul Bowen is at the top of the list as well as a handful of pre-credentialed editorial guys and some names you see regularly on calendars, like Phil McKenna, etc. There is a comfort level with these people from the standpoint that organizers know they can trust their judgement and professionalism to govern their activity on the field, so they don't need to be monitored quite as closely. The FAA is just waiting to pounce on these events and stop anyone from being able to cross the crowd line, ever. EAA fights this battle every year and every year it gets tougher.
Sorry to be the bearer of less than an optimistic opinion, but it's just a fact of life in our post 9/11, sue crazy world. I'm sure there will be outstanding vantage points for the early risers and stay laters.
Thanks Jim, I know - you're right about the access - particularly on the field or ramp. I was just thinking about some up close time with the Mustangs on the ground. Also at the Angels over Atlanta there were places that needed credentials that were away from the crowd - yet close enough to the action that allowed for unobstructed views and great angles. Mostly around the VIP tent and seating which were mostly unused.
I'm not sure how much different being on the 50 yard line makes. _ i tried it on the first day and it wasn't nearly as good as being a little down the line and in the VIP area on the front row.
I'm just thinking about a place all of us regular guys could work from and not be scattered all over the place.
Let me speak with the event organizers and see if they'd be interested in setting aside an area for you guys. How many people are thinking about attending? I'd love to see and spend time with everyone there, but it looks like my schedule is going to be insane, what a surprise!
just found this thread and wow! some amazing stuff is being posted in here. I shoot a lot of civil aviation but i'm starting to shoot a lot more military and airshow stuff. this thread is a great resource. i will post some work soon when i get some processed.
I'll be at GML Fri-Sun. I hope it is set up like Oshkosh where you are able to walk right up to the planes, if not, I won't be happy, but it will still be a cool event.
Just discovered this great board. Amazing photography! I'm originally from Wisconsin but now live about 30 minutes south of Fort Worth. My Dad was a pilot, and so am I. Hope to run into you at a local airshow sometime. Thanks for sharing the great shots. A lot of them bring back good memories.
jbear2000 wrote:
Thanks Jim and all the rest - this is a great bunch here - i have so much to learn and I know I'm spending my time with the best!
You know... it occurs to me that if enough of the members of this forum happen to show up at the show... there's gonna be an awful ot of talented glass pointed skyward. What a learning op! Plus the images might be a valuable barganing tool to get credentials into areas unobstructed by regular attenders... I know its a big show and all - but what about it - is it possible?...Show more →
I think a dinner and talk for FM'ers may be in order.
Dan
Dan, that sounds like a great idea. Are you familiar with the area and know of a reasonable place with enough room for all?
btw - i used to think i was a bass player... I have a 71 Gibson Les Paul Recording, a 78 Fend P and a Curbo Fretless... plus a beat up old 64 Bassman that just cooks! (among other things) I keep thinking i'll get it out and play again but between golf and shooting picts - i have little time to enjoy myself!
