On the ramp by 06:00, we were greeted by not only some promising clouds on the horizon, but the entire Blue Angel flight line a buzz with activity basically sinking my morning photographic plans. Oh well, I went over to the F15s to work them in the coming color.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP8344.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
First, I kissed the ground, literally. I unscrewed the BH-55 from the tripod, put it flat on the ground and did this 5 image HDR of two of the F15s. I really love the image, not too thrilled with my first processing. I lost too much of the black so when my eyes are not so tired, I will rework this image to bring it back. But the loss of the black is why the canopy on the rear jet is not a sharp line. That just won’t do.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP8278.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Then I saw this vastly improved image of the lone Blue Angel at the end of the runway. So this time using the 200-400VR, I made this 5 image HDR. I love the romance of color I really like. I have to admit, taking a five image HDR with the 200-400, I wondered if I would have five sharp, alligned images. Glad I did.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP8228.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Then I saw this one, single click, simple, clean image of the sunrise through the canopy and I was a very happy camper. While I know HDR and can use it, I really rather not. Simple and clean is so much easier to do when you’re not awake. I have one more morning to shoot, I’m scratching my imagination what to some up with. If I don’t have flight crews and truck on the tarmac, I have an idea which might be fun. Time will tell. I can tell you the group of very talented photographers I’m shooting with, Scott, Bill, Bill, Richard, Jake, Joe & Kevin are keeping me on my toes. They are producing some beautiful images. I mean, check out this Warthog by Scott. Wow!
Photo captured by D3x, 24PC-E / 200-400VR on Lexar UDMA digital film