For statics yes. Unless you know you will be at an right angle when you are shooting the planes in the air, I wouldn't use it when they are in the air.
Why not when in the air? Are you concerned about differential polarization across the image, or is there some other reason?
For long-focal-length shots like the 400mm range I've seen pros use, the angular slice of sky captured in an image is tiny: a measly 4 degrees (DX sensor) or 6.2 degrees (35mm). I doubt that differential polarization could be an issue then. Obviously, the likelihood of such a problem increases as the focal length gets shorter and shorter.
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
Why not when in the air? Are you concerned about differential polarization across the image, or is there some other reason?
For long-focal-length shots like the 400mm range I've seen pros use, the angular slice of sky captured in an image is tiny: a measly 4 degrees (DX sensor) or 6.2 degrees (35mm). I doubt that differential polarization could be an issue then. Obviously, the likelihood of such a problem increases as the focal length gets shorter and shorter.
Also to add to Rodolfo's great post, CP will also block some of the harsh light on a sunny air show day, allowing for slower shutter speeds for those prop planes & panning.
Once again. That F-18 Hornet shot is the greatest, I love those. Was out at Kingsley again Friday and was lucky enough to get a photo pass at the last minute and snap a few shots of some F-18's as they came in to refuel from Miramar. They had some light blue and dark blue and some light brown and dark brown F-15's ( Mig simulation colors ) from Nellis that were totally kool along with an T38 Trainer.
Here is another Hornet shot this time one from the Canadian Airforce coming in to land at Nellis Afb LasVegas Nv after visiting the range with some live Ordonance
Sorry I've been absent from our thread. I'm in central Florida shooting five Grandkids skiing, tubing, sea-dooing and just generally goofing off. Managed to squeeze in an assignment that coincidentally came up north of here about 60 miles.
The stuff you guys are capturing is outstanding! You don't need me! I was looking at our numbers when I logged in tonight and chuckled when I thought back to my amazement that we had 10,000 views early on.
Who would like to do a dawn patrol one morning at AirVenture? I'm thinking we should limit it to 10 people. If more would like to participate, I'll do another morning. I've got it approved. We could meet up at the base of the tower or in front of the Canon house at 6:30 and wander/shoot/discuss until about 8:30 or 9:00. The mini session would run about $50 bucks a head. I can probably do it three mornings if I know pretty soon, otherwise my days will be booked dawn to dusk pretty shortly. Just a thought.
Oh and by the way, I agree with Kraut-Fed 100% on his assessment of the use of a circular polarizer. It will give you much better saturation in the direction it's working and will do nothing but cut the light down in the direction it's not. You should take note that occasionally polarizaton will do weird stuff to military canopies, rainbow effects, etc. I never use one when I'm shooting from inside a canopy.
For those of you that have a shortage of F/18's etc, to practice your panning skills on. You can hone them on just about anything that moves. I've probaly shot 600 pans this week so far with nary an airplane in sight...
I'm in for a dawn patrol, definitely. If there are two days and you have an empty spot you just can't fill on the second day, I'll happily go again as long as I'm not depriving someone else of the opportunity. My only caveat, and a sad one at that, is that I'm only available for dawn patrols from Thursday through Sunday.
I'm also still ready and willing to organizing dinner on Friday or Saturday. Jim, did you ever remember the name of your preferred restaurant...?
And by the way, I found another picture I liked a lot. Yeah, I know... low standards, easily amused, and all that. I'd passed it by since it didn't show any drama or close-up action. But on my second look through, I just really liked the composition and the feeling it communicated about the situation. So here you go: http://www.pbase.com/rpaiz/image/80953963/large.jpg
Great! I'll get the name of that restaraunt. How many folks are interested in dinner? If it's just you and I, I'll have wheels and we'll our choices will open up considerably.
I'll add smth as well. Nothing you would see flying over US few years ago - MiG 21.
Its in low pass flight with wheels down - only time its slow enough i can catch it with short lens.
Thanks for your kind comments. I am amazed and heartened by the wonderful people/artists that continue to discover our thread and post their great images. Welcome! And great work!! Please continue to be a part of our group.
this thread is truly the most amazing discussion i've ever seen on the web. very cool! the quality and number of remarkable images here is mind blowing. clearly, what's made it, though, are your contributions, jim. your photos and experiences are the stuff of legend! and, as if the images weren't enough, it's also neat to see that you are a fellow dallas resident. it's just cool when you randomly "meet" someone with so much to offer in a global community, then find out you're neighbors. it truly is a small world!
in the presence of all this greatness, i'd normally be way too intimidated to post my own work, but this is also one of the friendliest threads i've ever seen. so, here is my one humble contribution from the airshow in houston last fall. horrible light, my first airshow, short lens, blah, blah, blah. nevertheless, i wanted to do something to keep this thread going, AND to keep the seminar idea going. jim, when is the first annual jim wilson dallas aviation photography workshop, because i want to be first in line!!
agan, your tireless and gracious responses are truly exceptional. thank you for sharing your tim, talent, and vision with all of us.
You are very kind, thank you! Truth is, what makes this thread so special is all of you. You haven't missed the Dallas Seminar, we just need to get about 20 to 25 people with your level of interest and enthusiasm and we'll set a date. I'm keeping a list of folks in several geographic areas.
By the way, if that is your first whack, short lens, etc, your humility is appreciated but not necessary, good work! That few seconds when they test smoke is a great opportunity and hides a multitude of unsightly background elements, great catch.
Call me sometime and come out to the hangar at McKinney for lunch and some flying.
Thanks again for your kind remarks and joining this great discussion.
You are very kind, thank you! Truth is, what makes this thread so special is all of you. You haven't missed the Dallas Seminar, we just need to get about 20 to 25 people with your level of interest and enthusiasm and we'll set a date. I'm keeping a list of folks in several geographic areas.
By the way, if that is your first whack, short lens, etc, your humility is appreciated but not necessary, good work! That few seconds when they test smoke is a great opportunity and hides a multitude of unsightly background elements, great catch.
Call me sometime and come out to the hangar at McKinney for lunch and some flying.
Thanks again for your kind remarks and joining this great discussion.
Thanks Jim. As you had mentioned on the T-bird shot, smoke can mask a number of unsighly background elements... I've also found that pyro does much the same.
