I do not think I have ever posted one of my aviation images to the group though primarily that is what I am known for I only started more general photography seriously about 9 years ago when I joined Hoylake Photographic Society and was able to study other photographers work and discuss techniques with them,but aviation photography is still my first love as it has been all my life.
I was asked to visit R.A.F.Cosford on the 8th March for a night shoot to photograph some of the aircraft used by the R.A.F. Engineering School all R.A.F. apprentice engineers and technicians are trained at the base and they keep quite a few retired front line fighter jets for the apprentices to learn on.
This particular aircraft is a McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 known as "Black Mike" this aircraft was withdrawn from service in 1992, I also wanted to upload a military aviation image as April 2018 sees the centenary of the R.A.F.
How I did it
I was very lucky to get any images at all because as I was setting up my tripod the spring in plate connector snapped leaving me no way to connect the camera to the tripod luckily I always carry a bag of bits and bobs in the car which included two small bungee straps I so used them all the photos on the night were taken using them strapping the camera to the tripod.
Camera Canon EOS 5D Mk III lens EF24-105mm f/4L IS USM ISO 400 f13 30seconds exposure, the camera was mounted on a Manfrotto tripod. The RAW file was adjusted in photoshop just basic levels, contrast,and brightness the image was cropped sharpened with a high pass filter and a white stroke added to the border.
This round’s discussion is now closed! 11 comments posted
Really nice work on the plane Ian! Great dramatic shot and the viewpoint is done quite well! The colors of the clouds in the sky along with the visibility of the stars are stunning! I like how the details have been brought out on the plane as well. Also I really enjoy the crop that you did with this as I saw what the photo was like before this.
The starburst effect looks a bit more muted than the one that I saw on the photo you sent me however it's a very striking image! Posted: 04/02/2018 16:25:52
Ian Chantler
Posted: 04/02/2018 17:17:55
Ian Chantler
Thanks David for your kind words the starburst was very strong and a distraction so I burnt it a bit on an adjustment layer. Posted: 04/02/2018 17:18:48
Dr Isaac Vaisman
Ian, lucky you that can come this close to a "sensitive piece of equipment". The illumination and color of the sky really stages the seen for a kind of secret mission ready to take place. The plane is very sharp and well placed in the frame. Well done Posted: 04/06/2018 14:31:21
Guy Davies
Excellent shot Ian, all the more so since you had to lash up a temporary attachment for the camera to the tripod. It has all the atmosphere of a night-time 'readiness' situation. It is well composed and cropped, and there is just the right amount of light in the sky. I feel a certain affinity for the Phantom because on my 70th birthday Paula gave me an hour flying a genuine ex-RAF Phantom simulator. I had flown light aircraft many years previously and had a wonderful hour in the Phantom, even landing on an aircraft carrier. Posted: 04/09/2018 08:30:47
Ian Chantler
Guy that sounds absolutely fantastic what a birthday present I am 60 this Friday hope they have something like that lined up for me but probably more socks.
I have been invited to Abingdon on May 5th to do a night shoot with the Catalina G-PBYA so maybe next month there may be one of that but don't want to push my luck. Posted: 04/09/2018 12:31:31
Guy Davies
Happy Birthday for Friday!
Next time you're at Cosford, take a look at the TSR2. I was the engineer allocated to that aircraft (XR220) when I was in Flight Test at Warton. Posted: 04/09/2018 13:15:27
Ian Chantler
Oh wow I have photographed it at Cosford a couple of times Guy like the rest of the country I still have no idea why it was scrapped. Posted: 04/09/2018 13:17:20
Guy Davies
Politics! Posted: 04/09/2018 13:19:05
Generally I'm not much of a fan of photos of aircraft, but this one is a wonderful view of an object that could be a delightful sculpture. I love the yellow and red symbols on the black background and the sky that brings them out so well. Posted: 04/09/2018 12:13:24
Erik Rosengren
Your tripod marks were in a perfect spot and that created a strong stance sinister stance of the subject. The last rays of light giving way to a star lit sky offers good interest. It might be a good idea to print this image and make a gift to the Company. It would look good in their Ready Room, if one exists. Looking forward to more of the same. Posted: 04/16/2018 19:55:24
