Aviation Photography FL: March 2010

Monday, March 22, 2010

Spaceship Photography

Four years ago Sir Richard Branson made an announcement through multiple aerospace outlets as his new endeavor began its path under the name of Virgin Galactic. For those who know the Virgin Knight -if I may- should not be surprised by the first but for the last name. Galactic meaning the business is no longer an earthbound model or at least partially earthy since the core of the action will take place out of the atmosphere. I was exited as a photographer when read the appropriate description of the planet as the blue backdrop referring to what they used to call the little pale dot, really exiting is not it? Even more so considering the global financial crisis that one way or another changes its bearing toward prosperity in a cyclic fashion for the convenience of all of us.

Even though I consider myself as an open- minded individual, still have issues trying to adapt my inner acceptance of this futuristic designed achieved by Scaled Composites under the Rutan's laboratory. No doubt it is a singular design, genuine and distinctive, resemblance of none other; only a resemblance of more Rutan's.

But the main idea resides in the transition from Sci-fi to only Sci, or better yet to Commercial Science Com-Sci available to the public or at least to those with ample discretionary cash, sound enough for the purchase of a space trek from a private port into the stratosphere and back. Amazing.

See the above shot in perfect symmetry portraying an image with that UFO looks, only we know who is responsible for it conception and development, none the less still looks E.T. to me, prying the question of whether the ship goes or comes, is it static or it is moving, climbing, descending or simply hovering while scanning the surrounding area.
Amazing but true, in just a few years time, commercial space travel will be part of our lives and just like the space shuttle launch event will be another nice thing to stare at on the TV news shows but that's about it.

This past week was the private celebration of the first official flight from take off under the nurse aircraft, the release and then the airborne launch to be finalized with a space shuttle like gliding onto earth. Fascination the time we are living in and I will keep everyone in the know every time Virgin Atlantic and Scaled composites releases more if this pictures along with their official press releases. Next time more pictures, like these available at Virgin Galactic's site.

Until the next issue, all the best.

Miguel Perez
Orlando, FL
www.miguelperezphoto.com

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Monday, March 15, 2010

Air to Air Photography

Have you ever wondered how the aviation magazines get to fill their covers with a flying jet so close you can even see the pilots eyes? Well, the answer is simple but the process is very intricate and critical. One of the most admired professionals I have fol owed is Paul Bowen whose career signature niche has been the bar set by himself many years ago. He took air to air photography to anew level by asking himself the right question: What does it takes to do amazing air to air pictures? And he responded with a long answer. We are going to need exceptional gear, blue skies, lots of photography experience, a scenario and yes, an aircraft capable of seating you in first raw backwards just like a tail gunner and fast enough to catch up with jet without being fast enough to miss propeller driven airplanes. The answer was developed without thinking about the cost of the solution and that was an unbiased in the search of the right formula. He was right from the star, only he had to go ahead with the proof of concept. Let me travel in time many years later after he became an aerial superstar and leading role player and lets see exhibit A.

On the left we have one of the most beautiful aircraft of all times -the Learjet- in one of its latest Bombardier versions. Fabulous picture, great color I astonishing production. Think for a moment what it takes to climb up ahead of a jet and get close enough to see the pilots faces yet you can see the wingspan at an altitude you can still discern the details of the water body, harboring and engulfing across a dessert.
See the atmosphere very dense in the horizon but an unlimited rating visibility that allowed for a successful photo shoot.

I would include the uncomfortable factor created by the ground contours, as that might be choppy enough for creating a wind burst, something not appreciated by a sharp
photographer.

My first impression when reading this picture is about the versatility of flight achieved by the aircraft, banking into its left side while the photographer does it into the opposite side. It was like a bird to bird close encounter. Beautiful scenery, beautiful subject and fine orchestration is what we have here. On our second picture will see one of the most descriptive pictures I have ever seen from the technical point of view as this angle is usually a military privilege or a flight simulator one. The stability on display is something Bombardier and their pilots should be proud for. The aircraft is already landed. Wouldn't you agree?

New accessories as a result of the evolving pen of the Canadian manufacturer are reflected on the winglets (not wingtips) and the ventral fins (not dorsal).
Once again, the ground contours factor would play a major role in terms of stability for the photographer if you spot the terrain palisade lying ahead of the aircraft just before the runway.
Color-wise, the picture cannot get any better, fascinating earthy hues. Now lets see how the cookies are made at least from the logistic standpoint since I already explained the amount of work this production demands. One important thing to notice is the controlled proximity to the subject aircraft (the Learjet) which is the sole responsibility of the chase aircraft, in this case a classic and legendary B-25 Mitchell. This is the kind of "Do not try this at home" type of flying, and I mean it as a word of wisdom for those with a license and a camera.

This stunt requires lots of preparation and experience so leave that to professionals; still it conveys a great deal of danger.
As usual, my congratulations and admiration to Paul Bowen and his crew, a great example of professionalism and achievement.

Thanks for reading and sending personal emails, I am glad you like my Blog.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Olympics

My first guest today is my favorite pic of all the Olympics and it cannot be any more explicit and genuine. See her expression of elation and passion about what she is doing. The colors are perfectly placed and blended in, especially those greens on the shoulders. The Olympic rings never looked so good and it is going to take a lot of a photographer to top this one off. Check the greens on the shoulders I mentioned and match them with the background. You immediately understand, that this is a major event and there is a whole corporate image department behind it. Awesome.

One little thing I do not like about the design of the uniform is the placing of the flag. They should have been two flags on either side and both of them facing backwards like on an aircraft.

This next picture has something very interesting: it is not a product of fate, it was well planned by the photographer and even by the subject whose two hands are well aligned with his fuselage, just ready for the picture. Moreover, check to his near right and you will see a remote outdoor camera that is in charge of capturing precious moments like this one. This picture and the last one are very good examples of shutter speed management, especially this one which comes with the composition bonus. Would you like to have this picture in your studio, enlarged to poster-size just to remember your achievements when you were young and reckless?

Finally, the even more impressive shutter speed management sample represented by this action-packed picture. There are lots of details to make a comment on, so lets get started:

Believe it or not, the fluorescent yellow-greens are the original ones as they have not been digitally saturated. They naturally glow this powerful because of snow's light capturing capabilities. Incredible. The shutter speed has to be really high, I would dare to say that it is in the 1/1000 of a sec neighborhood, based on the definition and dispersion of the snow flakes, expanded 2 to 3 times higher than the laying skier. Again, my complaint goes to the US flag department, the flag should have been better placed as they used to be. My congratulations to the photographer for his timely action and superb result. I am always for finding and putting on display great pictures that celebrate the art and science of photography. More than ever, this is the time of the photography, this is the time to start submerging yourself into this endless field ore to deepening yourself even more. Soon more pictures, keep shooting away before it is too late.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Photography Appreciation

It is amazing how the imagery culture has sunken in in Californians like in no other place on earth. Even Journalistic photo assignments are stunning like this photo of the 82nd ceremony prep up. Look a the camera angle added to the lens wide-angle, the timeless colors derived from the academy awards sign background and the bluer than normal sky. Palm trees announce the proximity to a coast and judging by the worker's outfit it is not the east coast.
I like this picture very much. To be fair and honest the only downside I see on this shot is that I am not the author so I simply do not have bragging rights on it. Exhilarating and stunning. though. Now lets move to the next picture and lets evaluate the caliber of the female dancer's legs. It is been a while since I have not seen real dance-o-rama dancer legs. Apparently this years budget regained weight and length so here is exhibit A to probe it.

Lets face it, dancing is not for everybody, it was meant for very skilled people with a high level of coordination and"je ne se pas qui" I-don't know what" in every move. It demands long legs and fast hips, good facial expression and a knight-like posture, class in every move. Some times I catch myself walking like I am way older than I am and simply don't know why but that's OK since I am not a professional dancer. Had I been one of them, that would have been a sign of the times, trying to prompt me on a career switch-over during the final laps of the race. These guys you see on the picture, are also having fun, its the Oscars baby! Now lets review the colors, perfect black and whites, nicely blended with skin and gold, from left to right in degradee, starting from a beautiful brunette down to a platinum blond in full swing. These kind of pictures are the ones that get better with age, this picture will be a later classic and will be on many other blogs and videos in the future. Remember this was the 82nd Oscar Ceremony none the less.

And last but not least, the picture on the right is a remarkable sample of good photojournalism, featuring the first female in attaining the Best Feature Film Director in the academy history. The picture reflects a milestone for this wonder woman who achieved a big goal in her life. I admire her, I admire and enjoy her moment and also I congratulate the photographer responsible for this right tilted shot, right justified framing. Illumination run on the house, however the camera had the right exposure settings, you can tell this checking on her shoulders and cheeks. If you can survive the brightness of lighter areas, you can say the exposure setup is OK. Take my word for it, as I a good observer and play with exposure settings on a daily basis.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Two Brands Two Strands

During the 70s and 80s two aircraft manufacturers were twin brands and both enjoyed identical credibility and market share. Progressively, Cessna took the lead and exponentially grew ahead without a flaw. On the contrary, Piper Aircraft got into a plateau and to make the story short, they almost disappear from the map. The intricacies of the individual management strategies has no place in this comment, however the same scenario is been portrayed by two similar companies on a different venue. Pottery Barn and Crate & Barrel. It seems to me that this is a perfect example that mimics what happened back then with the aircraft manufacturers, only now this is the repetition of the history in the making. I can see Pottery Barn going to the general public niche just like Joseph A Bank did 10 years ago after being one of the most exclusive New York Clothiers from the older days. In turn, Crate & Barrel seems to be rising above and beyond their competition, a bit higher than expected. They have been loyal to their initial purpose and they show no signs of exhaustion or misplacement. As a customer, brand perception plays a major role in the big leagues and that's why those advertising geniuses at Madison Avenue got those perky contracts with the big corporations that know how vulnerable they are to the image they portray.

The Oscars

Eighty two years granting awards to those selected few who deserved them. Quite a milestone and it seems like it is going to go for another many years ahead as long as entertainment gets its niche, the academy will follow along with their scrutiny, taking 5K+ votes for all nominees on the table. This year the presentation followed no different order than a crispier stage display and definitely a new generation of artists. I was impressed on how seasoned stage performers got nervous and made some kind of discomfort display. Namely, Miley Cyrus which is hard to get as she totally rocks on any venue with her boots and a microphone. Man, what happened there? Perhaps the weight of the big leaguers altogether. Who knows. But the most intriguing moment was the anger management effort on behalf of George Clooney trying not to show his anger at Steve Martin, Alec Baldwing or both. It clearly seemed that he did not liked their routine at all. I acknowledge that some inside conundrum always takes place with no explanation at all to the public but it is precisely the public who judges their appearances and careers, especially during a few ceremonies a year. Was it a good move to face a 3/4 pose, biting his tongue in order no to yell out loud his inner wrath?
I guess not, just like some other may have not like his wisecracks on a public scene. Other than that, great movies, all-time winners, new talent and a first time awarded female Best Director Kathryn Bigelow for the Hurt Locker. Good job on the academy side and on Kathryn's, especially because the competition was tight. Good choices again, as they awarded an Oscar to Avatar's special effects but no to Cameron's Direction effort. Take a look a this link http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/82/nominees.html and if you are curious about my work, follow on this link:

Sunday, March 7, 2010

With the exception of those who live nearby the equatorial line, higher latitudes offer the gift of seasonal change. This chameleon-like ability if nature to expose herself before the sun creates different hues that belong to a specific season like winter or summer. Only during springtime you get to see certain colors during a sunset or any other time of the day but only on Spring time. It is fascinating to see this spectacle so obvious to your eyes when you pay close attention to it, it is really a gift of nature. Said that, the thing to do is to draw your camera and to shoot away. Just spend an hour prior to the sunset hour and see how special that light is. Is it the same light? Yes it is however the angle of incident into our atmosphere is not and there lies the difference. Do a simple retrospective and realize how appropriate is to call a standpoint a different "angle". It is a perfect comparison when you use the word angle to portray the idea of a different perception which is exactly what happens in reality. Enjoy those special illumination hours, find them, record them and understand what they change with the seasons. It is a fun game that takes a lifetime to master and finally will payoff if you are one of those who can appreciate a sunset or an awakening.

Friday, March 5, 2010

Photography as a safety weapon

Without getting to the details, today is no time for being complacent about safety especially when there are too many dangers lurking around your community nearby your beloved ones. We have to start thinking unconventionally but exerting sound wisdom when it comes to finding more applications and deterrents to possible attacks. For instance, you are with your kids in their favorite park, hitting some baseballs and you are snapping some shots of your little leagers; go beyond conventional and shoot a foursome of cardinal oriented pictures for future reference. What? Yes, for future reference. You will download the pictures and you will see shot by shot, enjoying the gift of evoking those priceless moments. Then, spend some time analyzing the foursome, looking for familiar or suspicious faces with no apparent tie to the park. People lingering around, peace-less faces, malicious looks, and you know, all those politically incorrect stereotypes that are so truthful and reliable. Ten to one that a guy who looks like a pervert is a pervert. Lets call spade a spade and use your eyes, your camera and your survival instinct to protect your family and friends by analyzing the precious information you can capture with your camera. Teach your daughters and sons about this interesting Holmish game, let them know how to be observing and perceptive through photography and be this a good excuse to shoot away thousands of pictures throughout your life time.

Aviation Photography FL

Monday, March 22, 2010

Spaceship Photography

Monday, March 15, 2010

Air to Air Photography

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Olympics

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Photography Appreciation

Monday, March 8, 2010

Two Brands Two Strands

The Oscars

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Friday, March 5, 2010

Photography as a safety weapon

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Monday, March 22, 2010

Monday, March 15, 2010

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Monday, March 8, 2010

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Friday, March 5, 2010

Did you read what you have expected to read?

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