brettrisen
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capeyork
September 10, 2014
Nice shot you should check out www.globalaircraftimages.com these would look awesome on that site!!
garywilson
July 07, 2016
Join the conversation. Add a comment or even better, a critique. Let's get better together!
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens
Location
NAS Cherry Point, North Carolina airshow -2014.Time
TwilightLighting
It was at start of the night airshow. Ironically, I had just said to my buddy who went with me "I hate night airshows- never get any good shots" Famous last words - this was one of the best shots I got all weekend.It was just the right time of day- not to dark - just enough light. When it gets really dark - put your camera away and enjoy the show.Equipment
Nikon D810 and a Sigma 50mm -500mm zoom. A flash is impossible to use and tripods or mono pods are to restrictive - I always hand hold.If you have speeds issues -raise your ASA opps I mean ISO - (the old ways of film die hard) and open to the widest aperture you can- to get the speed you need.Inspiration
I like the action of airshows - the are challenging and the photos are dramatic.Editing
I cropped heavily, warmed the color tone and used gradated tint for a hint of darkness at the top. The key to this photo is the tight crop-note the composition-how the wing tips are lined up with the corners of the frame.This will always give a simple guide to composition.This photo does not lend itself to a rectangular composition- go with what works for the photo.The rule of thirds can be used at times -place the plane at the bottom third of the frame and use graduated tint to darken the top of the frame.I use this a lot when appropriate.It also works well for landscapes.I crop tight and aggressive- no wasted space.In my camera bag
Nikon D810, Nikon 18mm-55mm zoom, Sigma 50mm - 500mm Bigma zoom. That covers a lot of range.I use the Sigma 99% of the time. I primarily shoot airshows- large camera bags are often banned -essential equipment only. I leave my spare Nikon D90 in the car and never use a tripod.Tripods are only for low light sunrise or sunset.Feedback
Use the highest megapixel camera you can get -I use the D810 for the 36 megapixels.This shot would not have turned out as well with the 12 megapixels of the D90.It is approx 10% of the original frame even with the Sigma at 500mm.Shoot for speed -the fastest shutter speed possible with jets - there are no props to blur and they fly much faster.I use auto most of the time.I don't care who you see using a tripod or mono pod - they are useless!!. You can not move the camera to follow the planes- in daylight you will have no problem getting plenty of speed at a low ISO.Long prime lens are worthless.When a formation of 4 or 6 planes are close- a long 400mm prime as an example will be too long to get all the planes in frame.You need a wide range zoom like the Sigma or the Nikon 80mm -400mm. You can rent them.