Cant figure out if pilots should be looking at me or forward.

[steven_marquez]

<p>Hey guys, I think some of you might remember the question I asked, regarding the eye direction in my Eastern flight attendant photograph.<br /><br />Well, I already received great response telling me that the pilots looking at me was not a problem and that it could potentially add to the image,however a comment was made which the person was leaning toward having the pilots look straight. <br /><br />Which way do you guys prefer, and more importantly why. Its a bit confusing, cause if you look at a lot of Air-Air shots, the pilots or looking at the photoship; I was wondering if the same applies for here.<br>

 

http://postimg.org/image/i9spjlcxv/

[Matt Laur]

<p>This is all very subjective, and depends mostly on the context in which the image is to be used.<br /><br />For example: is the image meant to promote the sea-plane company as a service provider? If so, I'd want to see the crew looking forward, with their attention seeming to be on their job rather than showing interest in the photographer. If the photo is meant to convey a sense of professionalism and seriousness about the task, looking at the camera (as in the example) erodes that, somewhat (for me).<br /><br />And much like in the theater or in film/TV, the relationship between the viewer and the subject matter changes permanently when the person who is the subject directly addresses the viewer. It breaks down the imaginary wall, and makes the viewer part of what's happening instead of an observer of what's happening. That can be either a powerfully good/useful thing for certain types of material, or it can completely destroy things like willing suspension of disbelief or a feeling of well constructed narratives. In such cases, the subject's direct eye contact with the audience is almost like a nudge and a wink.</p>

[steven_marquez]

<p>Thanks Matt, great response.<br>

I can not figure out what is the intention that I want it to be. <br>

In your words, its not working for you right?<br>

<br />Thanks</p>

<p>Steven</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>I can't say it it's working for me or not, because I don't know how you want me to look at the image. Is it intended to be used by the aircraft's owner in marketing materials? Or is it intended for social use by the pilot, personally? Is it more of a tourist snapshot, showing something you don't see every day?<br /><br />The WHY of the photo dictates whether it works or not.</p>

[steven_marquez]

<p>Thanks Matt, I take time and sit down and analyze the "Why" factor.<br /> I guess this is what I am trying to mimic image below, And it seems to be a staple of Air-Air images.<br /> Like with the image below (Not mine). They seem to do it a lot and I guess the responce is "plane and pilot"</p>

<p>thanks <img id="bigphoto" src="http://cdn-www.airliners.net/aviation-photos/photos/2/6/0/2338062.jpg" alt="Van's RV-8 aircraft picture" width="1024" height="695" border="0" /></p>

[Mark Z]

<p>Steven, the issue of the intended use of the photo aside, there is the practical side to look at from the pilot's point of view. In your first photo, the plane is in a nose-up attitude, and the pilot's view to the front is very limited. Naturally, the pilot looks more left and right in this situation, and if you are photographing from a boat or a dock, the pilot may be keeping an eye on you for safety, more than consciously looking at a camera. For air-to-air shots, especially for the three-quarter view, it's largely up to the pilot being photographed to maintain position, and so again, he or she is going to be watching the aircraft you're in. So, it's more natural, and safer, for there to be this kind of eye contact.</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>I agree with Mark that the eye contact is natural. But the question is: does it serve the purpose for which the photograph was made? </p>

[steven_marquez]

<p>Thanks guys, I am understanding this more, and some great points to keep in mind.<br>

So the pilots look "Natural" in my shot?<br>

Anyways I can always Photoshop some pilots heads looking forward, if the consensus leans more to this.. </p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>That's still a question that can't be answered. "Natural" under what circumstances? What story is the photograph trying to tell? The story of a pilot noticing the photographer, or the story of the pilot operating the aircraft with some other think commanding his attention? <br /><br />The looking-at-the-camera shots only feel natural if you want the image's subject to appear aware that he's being looked at, and looking back. That might be natural for some narratives, and not for others. We're back to the same question: WHY did you take the photograph? How is it going to be used? Who is the audience for it? What are you trying to SAY with the photograph? Is it just for your own enjoyment? Is it intended to be used commercially, and if so, in what way? Nobody can say if that aspect of the image feels right when we don't know what your actual purpose for the photo is.</p>

[JamesFarabaugh]

<p>Steven, IMHO the crew should be looking straight on - even in the air-air shot. In both situations the aircraft are obviously in motion. By having the people look at the camera, to me it seems like they are posing on/in a prop (no pun intended). In the air-air example I can imagine two guys sitting in a grounded plane in front of a green screen, posing for a photographer standing on a step ladder. Having them looking forward, on the other hand, conveys that they are in the action of operating the plane. To me that is a more powerful image.</p>

[sarah_fox]

<p>I like my pilots looking forward! But if you want to play with people's heads, you could just clone them away. :-></p>

[ljwest]

<p>A pilot flying in formation with another plane should be looking at the lead plane. That is the only way they can properly maintain spacing and speed. Now, if you could manage to have the camera plane fly off of the subject plane, then the people in the subject plane should be looking in the direction they are going.<br>

<br />The Blue Angels, Thunderbirds, etc. all use this technique. You don't maintain 3 foot spacing in the diamond by not looking at your lead. (this is not without its perils, as if the lead has a problem, everyone follows, as happened with the Thunderbirds Diamond formation flying T-38s during practice many years ago...)</p>

<p>If your market is to pilots, or other aviation people, I doubt anyone would have issue with the pilots looking at the camera.</p>

[Mark Z]

<p>Steven, I didn't mean that photos with the pilot looking at the camera look natural (and therefore are preferred), but rather that the pilot in the wingman position will naturally be watching the lead aircraft. The wingman's job is to maintain position, and to do that he or she will of course be watching the lead aircraft. Flying formation isn't like pulling up next to another car on the freeway, where drivers are usually looking forward.<br>

<br />That said, I can agree with James and Sarah that forward-looking pilots look better in most cases, probably because they aren't breaking the fourth wall, and the viewer seems invisible. There might be some things you could do to avoid a pilot's gaze. You could have a reflection off the canopy that partially obscures the pilot, so you don't notice which way he or she is looking. You could shoot the lead aircraft from the wingman position (although this gives something different than the three-quarter view). You could be in a lead aircraft that allows you to shoot to the rear, and take frontal pictures of the wingman. Or, maybe the easiest approach would be to arrange a hand signal with the wingman that directs him to look forward for a second so you can get your shot.</p>

[Doug Obert]

<p>For some reason, I can not see the OP's photo. Steven's photo does however, so I'm guessing the OP photo is pretty much the same. As a former bush pilot I would NOT fly with another pilot that was "always" looking straight ahead. That pilot is sooner or later a dead pilot. With that said, where the pilot is looking could very well alter the story said photo is trying to tell.</p>