Thank you Nick! Wait until you see the main composition from the side. My lighting minions had their work cut out for them. The shot took a couple of hours to dial in, then a couple more to fine tune. Once we had it figured out as far as where and how much light we wanted, and fabricated the light modifiers, we could rock and roll. The whole process was pretty cool. I had an image in my head when Boydo asked me to shoot this months ago, we just worked at it until reality matched that image. We really could have shot all night, but 2 am was about the point where I hit the wall.
JWilsonphoto wrote:
The 75th Anniversary F/16 photographic team is still putting the final touches on our main creation, but here's a little preview. This shoot took 8 hours of hard work, brainstorming and creativity, and it was most certainly a three man project. We agreed that wherever these images show up, there will be three names attached, Jeremy Boyd, Chandler Feagin and me, because without the dedication of all three, it would not have happened. Special attaboy to Lt. Colonel Jeremy Boyd, because who gets unfettered access to a huge hangar filled with F/16 fighter jets?!
My 7D II did not get back to me as soon as I thought it would (my fault). Pulled out the 5D III to take photos of the playoff games. It continues to be a handy little camera, even for sports, I just have to be patient to time the shutter with the action.
The coach for the team on the field argued for several minutes, even after all four umpires had two meetings. The coach said he saw the catcher tag the base runner (he was less than 20 feet to my left) and I couldn't catch the tag because the runner's shoulder blocked the glove from the camera. In my opinion the coach argued the wrong rule (tagging for the out), he should have questioned the base runner running out of the baseline because he was 8 feet from home plate when he slid in. He had to get up and run to the plate after the slide, and then the umpire called him safe. Quite a show.
Great image Ray! What you had to do is call on your skill and not rely on a buffer that is akin to movie frame rates Nice to know there are still a few people around who can tap those tried and true instincts!
Yesterday at Hunter's graduation from Texas A&M I was all set, had a state of the art zillion frame a second camera, the 100-500, scoped out my location (much more distant than I would have liked), I was all set...............and yet, somehow, I blew it and completely missed the shot I was looking for. I don't miss "the" shot, but I sure did yesterday morning. The line of graduates melted into an A&M crimson background, black gowns, everyone masked, some proctor redirected a couple of the graduates and they all got lost in the shadows. Those are all my excuses but the reality is, I blew the shot, and you can just imagine how well that set with me. I began down a slippery slope of thoughts, how could that have happened, am I just losing my touch? What if I start botching shots on a regular basis? The older I get, the harder I seem to be on myself. Yesterday was a great occasion and I got a number of great family shots, but the one that got away is going to sting for a bit.
BTW, Hunter pulled off a Summa Cum Laude graduation with a degree in Accounting and Agri-Business. The first of July he'll be pulling down the big bucks with a major international accounting firm based in Chicago, but fortunately he'll be based in The Lone Star.
I rounded out the weekend by shooting the final round of The 2021 Byron Nelson Golf Tournament for a client and good friend who own the TPC course where it was played this year............... And I didn't miss any shots!
We decided to drive up to Birmingham to see my parents yesterday. As we passed the airport I caught a glimpse of a B-17 sitting on the ramp so we diverted to check it out. We found Texas Raiders sitting on the ramp and set up for visitors. Of course all of my camera gear was at home but we went in anyway. My daughter wants to be an aeronautical engineer so we spent a good amount of time combing through the plane inside and out. When we went up the ladder I looked left and was greeted with this image. I have kicked myself all weekend that I did not have any camera gear. Here is the iPhone shot of what I missed.
Good Morning Ray! Busy and kind of normal. My friend David Craig (Craig Ranch) had asked me to shoot the entire event but I couldn't due to Hunter's graduation. This was the first year it was hosted at The Craig Ranch TPC and it was a tremendous success, despite yesterday's monsoon, so it will be back next year and I'll get the entire event. I know absolutely nothing about golf, except that to moves way too slow for my taste, but I enjoy capturing the game and the courses. Years ago I was riding around with Arnold Palmer and he was showing me a course that he had asked me to capture. He was giving me all the yardages and technical information that a golfer would hone in on. I laughed and told him that I had absolutely no idea what that a all meant, but that I know that the hole we were looking at would be incredible from a particular perspective at dawn the next morning. He laughed, and said, "forget what I told you, I think you have got this........." The next morning I was out before the "dew shakers" getting breathtaking view of his new course and he was very pleased with the end result.
I use to Marshall golf tournaments in Houston. The Houston Open (PGA) and what was The Doug Sanders Celebrity Trounament which was before the Senior Tour. I was marshaling the 17th par 3 green when Arnold walked up to the tee box. It was amazing. It was like there was this amber glow all around him and everything else was dark, he was all I saw. A very gracious and down to earth human. He knew people were there to see him and he gave them all he had. He was a common man, at least for this old duffer. It was as if he took the time to look everyone on the course right in the eye. He didn't hurry to finish, he took his time for his fans.
And he did that with Lee Travino as a playing partner. Lee talked from the time he got on the tee box and continued to the 18th tee box. Later, we were driving home and pulled up next to Lee Travino's car. He had a courtesy driver and he sat in the front with his caddie "Herman" in the back. Herman had his head down and shaking it indicating Lee was telling another long tale.
I always wondered how serious guys like Arnold could play with Lee. Lee is so animated when he talks he grabs your attention.
OK, now I am wandering, I'll shut up!
ps: how long did you have to wait for the sun to hit that opening in the tree?
He was a genuine Gentleman for sure. Trevino is a case, he always quipped, "I used to just be a 'Poor Mexican', until I began winning golf tournaments, now I am a 'Rich Spaniard'........."
I've shot for Arnold, Jack Nickelson, Tiger, Phil Mickelson, Lee Trevino and a few others, and they have all been pretty nice guys. Tiger was a very intense guy and addicted to video games when I was shooting with him. Mickelson was in a lot of pain from a chronic arthritic condition that plagued him. Looking back on the last couple of sentences is kind if strange, given the fact that I barely know a Birdie from a Mulligan.......................
JWilsonphoto wrote:
BTW, Hunter pulled off a Summa Cum Laude graduation with a degree in Accounting and Agri-Business. The first of July he'll be pulling down the big bucks with a major international accounting firm based in Chicago, but fortunately he'll be based in The Lone Star.
Congrats, Jim! Were you talking about Grant Thornton LLP in Chicago?
Nice to know there are still a few people around who can tap those tried and true instincts!
