aeroplanes / helicopters P-51 Mustang, F-15 Eagle & F-16 Falcon

Second try with full plnaes in veiw and banking a little.

I like this one becuase the planes are are fully visible, but the mustang wing over the F-15 cockpit looks a bit funny to me. Overall nice shot though, the sky was the perfect shade of blue.

Nice shot. I think this was at Sun `n Fun, Lakeland, Fla.? Lee Lauderback's wing does look a little funny draping over the F-15. You stopped the prop, indicating an engine emergency. The trick is to slow the shutter to at least 125th and yet still get a sharp shot. Difficult to do. FYI: The New York Times had a story today and yesterday about Lee giving a P-15 ride to the writer in this very plane, "Crazy Horse."

Not that i can, but i second the suggestion to slow down the shutter speed for prop blur. Some shots i think you can get away with it, this is i think is not one. However, its great timing and a lucky sky.

 

also, this is not lakeland since the F22 was flying there (which was very neat).

Panning is pretty easy at 1/250 on these slow Heritage Flight shots, it just takes practice. 1/200, and 1/160 work well also. When you get down to 1/125th you start to push it. I usually go to 1/125 or slower for taxi shots, because of the engine turning so much slower at idle.

Thanks for your comments and suggestions. Didn't know that about the prop, it does look a little wierd stopped like that.

 

Alton: this it was at the McDonald's Air & Sea Show in Ft. Lauderdale. http://www.airseashow.com and yes there was a couple of Raptors flyby, the first time I geto see them. Also a B2 bomber which was not very good for photographing. I'll check that article on the NYtimes, thanks for the heads up.

Don't like this one as much as the other Heritage Flight shot -- it's too standard. Make your own call about whether the lack of prop blur bothers you. I'm fine with it. Remember, the eye doesn't see a propeller as four fuzzy blades any more than four sharp ones, so it is all a matter of convention.