As one who came from a photographic home (Dad was a Pro) I understand what you are saying and appreciate your attitude very much. It's a funny business that runs the gamut from the folks who might take years to make the perfect shot to the ones who have to make it happen at a moments notice to keep the clients happy.
All I can say is, very nice work Jim and your product sells your art. Many photos just listed here roll back the years I've enjoyed. And like you have bumped into some pretty fantastic folks in the flying field.
BTW I don't suppose in your collection you would have a shot of a certain Spitfire. A Mk XVl S/N SL721? It has special memories.
Thanks for sharing all these superb shots. I enjoy reading this thread very, very much.
I love you pictures, old and new. I sure would like to reach your level of photography.
Here in Belgium we are very limited in our possibilities to shoot military or civil aircrafts. The better airshows in Europe are in the UK, The Netherlands and some other countries.
I don't want to steel your thread, but I would like to show one of my pictures. I hope you don't mind. If so, just let me know and I will remove the picture.
I would also vote to have this thread as a sticky for all to enjoy. These pictures are stunning and a book with the images and the stories behind them would be a great thing to have. Maybe one day Jim?
Thanks so much for your sharing your photography with us. I'm no airplane buff, nor professional photographer, but I appreciate you sharing your astounding work with our community. You've got a great eye for composition and I find your work to be very inspiring. I'll have to show these to my pilot friend, he would love them.
Thanks Daniel! How about a book on the fine points of capturing aircraft images? The locations that I'm afforded sure help, but many of these images were taken from the crowd line.
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 05:58 PM GMT
I don't know what's tougher about the 600 f4, the acquisition cost or schlepping it around. There have been many nights my trembling left arm woke me up after pointing that 14 lb piece of glass at the sky for hours on end. Truth is, the 500 f/4 on a 1D MKII will do the same thing for a lot less all around.
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 05:58 PM GMT
It's me again... Tell me when you're bored with my posts
A book on photographing planes may have a much smaller audience than a fine art book of airplanes photos with diary like stories behind the photos and potentially some technical details on each plane (you have spanned in your photos a large chunk of flying history no, it is not a comment on age, it is about the opportunity you've had of taking pictures of all that has flown past your camera).
As an added bonus for those interested, you could have an appendix on techniques for taking such photos, though it is the empathy with the subject that makes these pictures so incredibly beautiful.
Anyway, just my 2c worth.
Your thread is now a daily must for me.
See you on some tarmac somewhere, sometime, hopefully in the not too distant future.
JW, the "reunion" photo for the FT's was exceptional! Truly patriotic. Awesome..indeed all of the images submitted are just a joy to preview! Well done!
Dan
You guys are wondeful friends. Wish we could all have breakfast some morning! My guess is it would last through lunch and dinner. I'll see if I can keep digging to keep our post alive, don't want to put anything up that's not worthy of your talented eyes though. I've got a King Air 90 and a Malibu Meridian shoot with fall colors in the Quachita mountains, a beautiful RV and another date with that P-51 only this time at night running on the ramp (trying to figure out the lighting on that one). There ought to be something in there that you guys will like.
There have been a number of you that have indicated an interest in joining "The International Society of Aviation Photographers" or ISAP. I'd be happy to facilitate your membership when you're ready. The group numbers about 400 currently and as I said in a previous post, the talent level runs the gammut. For $35.00 annually it's a tremendous group to belong to. The annual symposiums are the most wonderful 3 days of comraderie and education and food you can imagine. Usually one of the outings includes a trip to some military ramp that will get you and your camera closer to afterburner cones than you ever thought you'd be, and if that's not enough you'll be shooting shoulder to shoulder with some of the best in the world.The icing on the cake is, they don't act like they're the best in the world. A good friend who is also an excellent shooter, author and all around great guy began this group a few years ago and it has just taken off (no pun intended). I got no skin in the game as far as membership, just like to let folks know about the opportunity that exists there.
JW
Edited by JWilsonphoto on Sep 04, 2007 at 05:59 PM GMT
Thank you! That Fying Tigers event was something. I was given the honor of photographing the remaining Tigers and then the remaining Aces of the group. We called in two P-40's for the backdrop. To sit with those elderly gentleman and listen to their stories, seeing the light in their eyes as they describe the deadly serious and the humorous, was a once in a lifetime experience.
