JWilsonphoto wrote:
It is both for sure. Those full span ailerons and the big elevator/rudder combination will snap your neck in a heartbeat. The GameBird is a supposed Extra 330 competitor, time will tell. The GB is a prettier airplane. Cross country cruise is a touch above 200 mph and it's stressed for lots of G's
Jim, why is the "driver" so far back in the cockpit?
It's a 2 seater. Probably flown from the rear for CG (center of gravity) reasons. The aircraft has a specified CG range. If the aircraft is flown outside of the CG range it's going to be unstable and it's going to crash (if it's not a fly by wire computer controlled aircraft like most modern fighters).
Within the CG range the aircrafts handling goes from sluggish and docile at the forward end of the range to responsive and exciting at the rear limit of the CG range. Get the balance point aft of the CG range and the aircrafts handling goes from exciting to terrifying, and then you die.
EDIT: Here's what happens when the balance point shifts aft of the CG range. In this case the 747 freighter had the load/cargo break loose and shift back during take off.
The GameBird is designed to be a two place aircraft, like the Extra, for instruction and just the general fun of being able to take a passenger. Like the Extra, it comes with a two place canopy and as well as a single place canopy. The Extra's long fuselage gives it a wider CG than the GB.
I had a corporate headshot assignment early yesterday morning, then on to capture another pool project. Truthfully, I have never really been happy with my headshots/portraits. My clients have always liked them but I just never felt like I had the control of the light that I wanted, never felt like they were "dialed in". That feeling came to a screeching halt when I began switching over to Westcott lighting products. Kind of odd actually, because a Westcott FJ400 head is $600 , compared to my Elinchrom units that were 3 times that much.
Westcott products give me complete control of my lighting and a feel that I never captured prior to the switch.There are still nuances that I need to pay attention to, like exact positioning of the lighting modifiers to get the best rendition from each subjects face, but the baseline where I start out is better than the finished product used to be.
I have never shot tethered, but I'm thinking seriously of shooting my portraits using Tether Tools from now on just so I can see and tweak subtleties that might escape me on the camera preview screen.
BTW, looks like Wings Over Houston is a no go for me. I seem to have picked up the current version of COVID, so it's going to take all I got to keep up with my assignment load while trying to kick it.
kwbarnes wrote:
It's a 2 seater. Probably flown from the rear for CG (center of gravity) reasons. The aircraft has a specified CG range. If the aircraft is flown outside of the CG range it's going to be unstable and it's going to crash (if it's not a fly by wire computer controlled aircraft like most modern fighters).
Within the CG range the aircrafts handling goes from sluggish and docile at the forward end of the range to responsive and exciting at the rear limit of the CG range. Get the balance point aft of the CG range and the aircrafts handling goes from exciting to terrifying, and then you die.
EDIT: Here's what happens when the balance point shifts aft of the CG range. In this case the 747 freighter had the load/cargo break loose and shift back during take off.
...Show more →
Thanks Ken! I did not know that. Thanks for explaning it to me!
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JWilsonphoto wrote:
The GameBird is designed to be a two place aircraft, like the Extra, for instruction and just the general fun of being able to take a passenger. Like the Extra, it comes with a two place canopy and as well as a single place canopy. The Extra's long fuselage gives it a wider CG than the GB.
Thanks Jim! I just thought it looked unusual. Ken explained why...Appreciate your explanantion also!
JWilsonphoto wrote:
BTW, looks like Wings Over Houston is a no go for me. I seem to have picked up the current version of COVID, so it's going to take all I got to keep up with my assignment load while trying to kick it.
Thanks Jan-Arie! I had the first version and it was no fun, but not horrible. I feel pretty crummy but got my assignments done yesterday, today I'm laying low. Hopefully I'll be able to hit the ground running next week.
Ray Swindle wrote:
Get well Jim. Don't know why you are not happy with your head shots. Hard to improve on perfection, but we know you will try.
Thanks Ray! As far as my portraits/headshots, I've just never felt like I had a consistent "look" that I could duplicate and tweak variations as the need called for. I always end up with nice lighting, and my clients are always happy, but I've been in search of a tried and true system that would allow me to capture top shelf portraits consistently, under any circumstances. Part of it has been the tools catching up with what I was seeing in my head, there has been a great evolution in lighting tools and modifiers in the last few years. Having color correct, cordless strobes, in combination with state of the art modifiers, has put me where I'd aspired to be all these years. My Elinchrom strobes have been great, and Lord knows that I threw enough money at that system, but they never got me to the portrait sweet spot I was looking for.
I have this Westcott system dialed in to where each strobe is in a different group and I can change the light output in .1 of an f stop increments, all from my camera position. I could probably do the same thing with a Profoto system, for probably six times the investment, but I doubt the images would be any better. One of the modifiers I am using, a beauty dish, is $400, the Profoto equivalent is $2495.00. You know me, I don't mind spending the bucks if the value is there, but come on........ there's a lot of "emperor's new clothes" going on there.........
First, GET WELL!!! Suzanne and I got both the latest Moderna vax and the flue shot at the same time. She is having a "flu like" reaction to one or the other. I was lucky.....
Portrait shooting and I don't get along unless it is in natural light. Your image looks very well done to me!
Take care of YOURSELF first. The rest will fall in line. I know YOU and I know it is hard to not fulfill an obligation!
Dan
Jim, I have to commend you and the other members here in "setting up". I am just not "up to it", physically or monetarily, unless it is one of the lovely women photographers on various forums have posted..., if I was moderately competent in any expertise of "portrait photography" I would attempt it.
Outside is the only light I can handle and that is saying a bunch!
Looks very natural to me.!
Again well done...and to the others that do this type of photography!
Thanks Dan. The lighting, of course, is a large part of it, but getting to know a subject and capturing their personality is the other challenge. My experience is that you have between 3 and 5 minutes to accomplish that task, and 5 minutes is the outside limit.
My pool project on Monday was one of the most peaceful environments one could imagine. Between the views and the sound of the water cascading over the infinity ledge, it was wonderfully relaxing. Well until a transformer exploded down the block and shut all the power off until midnight. I'll be going back next Monday evening to complete the assignment.
This backyard living space looks out on a medium sized pond. The pool designer created several spaces where people can sit and enjoy the environment..............
