Bruce Michelotti
July 2024 - Over and Under
About the Image(s)
I went to an Air Show at the Selfridge National Guard Air Base a few weeks ago and, among others, the Unite States Airforce Thunderbirds were there performing. They put on quite a show, six F-16 Fighting Falcons flying in perfect formations performing all types of maneuvers with precision and speed. It is really a sight to see. I got a lot of keepers, but like this one the best. If you can inspect it closely you can see the pilot of the lower fighter looking up at the plane above.
Canon R5 with 100-400 at 400mm, 1/2000sec., f/8 at ISO 2500
This round’s discussion is now closed!
12 comments posted
Amazing shot. Clarity is excellent, even to making out the pilots and their positions. The definition of the parallel clouds are such that they do not detract from the F-16s. I did not detect any noise in particular even wiyh the high ISO. What a mirror type shot. Were the tails this close throughout ? Posted: 07/15/2024 21:30:46
Thanks Harley. To get that positioning of the planes they start out farther apart (the top one upside-down) and pull closer and closer together until they look like my shot. From my vantage it looks like the tails were inches apart, but I believe they are farther away on the horizontal plane so the illusion is what we see. Of course this takes place in seconds as they are zooming through the sky. Posted: 07/18/2024 13:58:41
Hello Bruce. I tried to comment on your photo a couple of days ago but for some reason I was unable to. This photo has IMPACT! There is absolutely no doubt as to the subject! It is as if you had a mirroe under one of the planes. The higher ISO paid off with a very sharp image. I have a suggestion. I think these jets need some room on the left. The exhaust doesn't really add anything and in fact seems to be slowing the planes down. Posted: 07/16/2024 00:22:37
Thanks Mark. When editing I was torn between what I have posted and what you have shown edited. I thought they both looked good, but in the end I liked the exhaust trail as I thought it gave the image a bit of motion vs. two planes static in the air. Posted: 07/18/2024 14:01:56
WOW! Great image. It gives me the chills to see how close the jets appear to be. Are
they really on top of each other, or is there some separation but in 2D we see it differently?
I enjoy seeing the exhaust because it confirms that this is not a constructed mirror image. The patterns are different, and interesting. To my eye, the space on the left is enough for the jets to "fly into." Posted: 07/16/2024 17:22:23
they really on top of each other, or is there some separation but in 2D we see it differently?
I enjoy seeing the exhaust because it confirms that this is not a constructed mirror image. The patterns are different, and interesting. To my eye, the space on the left is enough for the jets to "fly into." Posted: 07/16/2024 17:22:23
Thanks Bunny. From my vantage, and the photo I took, they look like they are are on top of each other. I think there is some horizontal separation so what we see is the illusion of them being so close. But, there can't be too much separation or the folks in the ground audience would not be as impressed as we were and the illusion would not work. Posted: 07/18/2024 14:05:42
This is a very exceptional photo as it is quite difficult for anyone to shot 2 jets together in the high cloud. The smoke adds atmosphere to the photo. I wonder how you can shot such interesting photo. Well done! Posted: 07/17/2024 05:12:09
Thanks Leo. Shot with my R5, as you know, it has very good image tracking and auto focus. Still, the photographer has to be very quick as the planes are zooming through the sky. Posted: 07/18/2024 14:07:44
Fantastic, Bruce! I have been surprised to find that shooting jets with cloudy conditions actually works out better. The lighting is not as harsh as full sun. Your sky adds just the right amount of interest without being distracting. I love the fact that you got so much detail in the cockpits. Seeing what the pilots are doing really tells the story.
Did anyone else notice that Thunderbird 5 has the number upside down in relation to the plane, but right side up for when he's doing this maneuver? I caught that at an air show last year and it cracked me up.
Well captured. The long, narrow format was a really good choice for this image. It shows off the sleek lines of the jets and portrays the speed and motion. Posted: 07/26/2024 15:45:18
Did anyone else notice that Thunderbird 5 has the number upside down in relation to the plane, but right side up for when he's doing this maneuver? I caught that at an air show last year and it cracked me up.
Well captured. The long, narrow format was a really good choice for this image. It shows off the sleek lines of the jets and portrays the speed and motion. Posted: 07/26/2024 15:45:18
Thanks for your comments Andrew. Yes, a plain blue sky is just boring for aerial photography, the clouds do add interest. I was also looking for some land objects to include in my shots, but easier said than done.
As you noticed, the jets have their number right side up on one side of the aircraft and upside down on the other. I wonder if that is just for the show planes or if all F-16's are that way. Posted: 07/28/2024 22:04:48
As you noticed, the jets have their number right side up on one side of the aircraft and upside down on the other. I wonder if that is just for the show planes or if all F-16's are that way. Posted: 07/28/2024 22:04:48
Another photo journalist image! Tension, story and WOW! Wouldn't change a thing. Posted: 07/27/2024 15:07:15
Thanks Lane. Posted: 07/28/2024 22:05:23