Mirrored Vulcan
Taken during a night-shoot event outside the Vulcan hanger
Taken during a night-shoot event outside the Vulcan hanger
Read less
Read less
Nov, 2016Views
777
Likes
Awards
Fall Award 2020
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Absolute Masterpiece
Outstanding Creativity
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Genius
Emotions
Impressed
Top Ranks
Top 30 rankTop 20 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Top 30 rank week 1
Top 30 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the home of XH558 Vulcan, Doncaster Robin Hood Airport. An opportunity arose to join a night shoot and the jet was rolled out onto the tarmac at night (when other flights had stopped) for a photo opportunity.Time
It was late in the evening in February, it was cold and wet but the subject was worth the discomfort.Lighting
The lighting couldn't have been worse. It was outside in the dark, it was lit from behind with a couple of orange sodium lamps mounted high on poles. A long exposure was needed to achive reasonable exposure of the Vulcan itself which over-exposed the lighting coming from behind. It was technically a difficult shot (for me) to take and to get right.Equipment
Canon EOS 600D, and EF/S 18-200 zoom lens. Manfrotto carbon fibre tripod with a Manfrotto ball head. A flash was useless due to the distance to the subject. I tried a long exposure with a flash fired at close range, but the Vulcan is huge and it would have taken a flash much more powerful than my pitiful flash to make an impact.Inspiration
I have taken many photos of the Vulcan while it was still in flight They were taken from a great distance and usually in the air. It is sadly grounded now, so when the night shoot opportunity arose I couldn't let it pass.Editing
The orange lighting wasn't attractive and the subject was a little under-exposed. Converting to black & white made the orange lighting look white and increasing the exposure brought out some detail of the Vulcan. The ground was wet on the night but not enough for a decent reflection, so the reflection on the ground was added in photoshop.In my camera bag
I carry very little in my bag, I like to travel light. I always carry my Canon EOS 600D and EF/S18-200mm lens. I have a hotshoe mount flash, a 50mm F1.8 lens, a polarizing filter and Lee 10-stop filter.Feedback
There are a couple of tricks that I could have tried on the night to get a better shot. I didn't think of them until I got home and started processing the image. For example, I could have added an ND filter to increase the exposure time, giving me more time to do some close-up flash around the darker areas of the fuselage. If it's going to be technically difficult (poor light etc.) then experiment with something similar before the actual shoot. Set up a subject in similar conditions and make the mistakes before the actual day of the shoot. Having some experience and a plan will yield better results. Also, go out dressed for the occasion, I should have taken a warmer jumper.
