Jay Joseph
December 2019 - Thunderbirds
Original
About the Image(s)
This shot was taken at the Cleveland National Air Show. These are three of the five US Air Force Thunderbirds that were performing. In Photoshop, I sharpened, lightened, and brought out the colors of the jets.
Pentax K-1, 70mm, f14, ISO 500, 1/200 sec, polarizing filter
This round’s discussion is now closed!
11 comments posted
(Group 74)
Great view of F16's. Weather was sunny so have you also tried wider aperture + faster shutter to ensure better sharpness? Posted: 12/06/2019 01:03:51
I definitely should have used a faster shutter speed. I was concerned with focus, so I set the camera for aperture priority at f14, hoping all would be in focus. They were just going too fast. I didn't have time to make the necessary camera adjustments. A learning experience. I hopefully will be better prepared for the show next year. Posted: 12/06/2019 09:37:30
Try f9 and at least 1250 shutter speed, it's what worked well for me in sports with a 2.8 200 zoom lens. You did a great job with the crop and bring out the bird design on the jets! With air shows I use minimum 200 zoom but usually use my 600 so I can go 400-600 as needed. You've cropped to put the jets on the 1/3 line but to my eye I'd crop off some of the left size and some of the top. Your clouds and sky are perfect! Posted: 12/06/2019 10:43:11
Thanks for camera suggestions. I wrote them down for next year.
I did try my 300 zoom, but by the time I found them and tried to focus they were gone. I hope some practice will help. Posted: 12/08/2019 21:12:08
I did try my 300 zoom, but by the time I found them and tried to focus they were gone. I hope some practice will help. Posted: 12/08/2019 21:12:08
Great job with only 70mm. This kind of shot takes experiments and practice, I think. Posted: 12/06/2019 16:15:36
Thanks Sanford. I will have to practice, I missed every shot I took with my 300 zoom! Posted: 12/08/2019 21:16:55
Jay, what a stunning final image. I sometimes like to hang back with my thoughts to see what other people say. After all the discussion, please remember a few important facts. 1- You were there, we weren't. 2- You tried for some shots with a 300 lens, learnt your limits, and went back to something you knew would produce the final image you wanted. 3- All "final" images come from an "original" image. 4- Experience is the best teacher, closely followed by practice and preparation (mental & physical). And a last thought is that a polarizer will always suck light out of an image and slow the camera down. But don't they just give skies and clouds the best lift possible. So when I consider the final image you produced out of the original, you have done an excellent job and should be very proud. One last question please, who says you have to jump from 70mm to 300? What's wrong with working your way up trying 150mm & 200mm? Opps, sorry, that's two questions. Posted: 12/09/2019 02:01:56
Thanks Ian. I will get some practice time in before the next air show. We have jets that fly over our house occasionally as they prepare to land in Cleveland. They are not going 500 mph, but it will be helpful. Posted: 12/09/2019 11:07:32
Jay - I like your image, and have struggled too, with the shutter speed. I have found 1600 is a good shutter speed (I do birds). You have greatly improved the composition with your thoughtful crop. You have brought out the jets' colors well. You might try removing some of the blue from the wings is my only observation. Great image! Posted: 12/09/2019 08:09:40
Thanks Cyndy. I will definitely increase my shutter speed. Posted: 12/09/2019 12:33:41
Well captured and compared to the original the final result is great. I have no comments about shutterspeed etc. Posted: 12/15/2019 07:22:06