Ian Chantler  


Night Fighter by Ian Chantler

April 2018 - Night Fighter

About the Image(s)

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This particular aircraft is a Hawker Siddeley Harrier GR.3 this aircraft was withdrawn from service in 1984, I also wanted to upload a military aviation image as April 2018 sees the centenary of the R.A.F.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, I converted it to monochrome using a gradient map on an adjustment layer I then adjusted the contrast,levels, and a little burning 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!
6 comments posted




Ella Schreiber   Ella Schreiber
Hi Ian: Thank God for Bungee Straps! What a great image. I love the lighting you captured on the aircraft at night. There is no question what the subject of your shot is. Technically well done, great composition... a real winner to my eye!   Posted: 04/06/2018 10:07:52



 
I echo Ella's comments. I am not into aircraft photos, however, yours is a winner.   Posted: 04/07/2018 15:08:38



Peter Clark   Peter Clark
Ian - A very dynamic and aggressive image which portrays the nature of the beast pefectly. Super lighting and processing - you did well to overcome your equipment failure!   Posted: 04/13/2018 03:47:37



John Gilkerson   John Gilkerson
Ian, a super portrait of an iconic aircraft.
SImply perfect!   Posted: 04/19/2018 02:38:11



 
Hi, Ian!

Great shot. Technically remarkable. I fully agree with the previous comments.   Posted: 04/20/2018 02:32:59



Ed Ries
Nice image. like the low angle. I am an old aerospace engineer so I enjoy good aircraft photos   Posted: 04/24/2018 12:43:39