While coming back from a field trip, I noticed that the Pitts biplanes were out. When we got home, I grabbed my camera and we turned around to go to the airport. We were graciously invited in by the pilots and got some spectacular shots of them taking off. Then the fourth pilot asked me if I wanted to go up in his plane and do some Air2Air photography of the three Pitts Biplanes. Of course, I said yes!
We met up with the planes who were flying in formation. What a sight it was! The big challenge with this shoot was I didn’t have an open window to shoot through, so I was shooting through the wavy windshield. I was able to find the sweet spot of the glass and make some good shots.
Two of the planes peeled off, and I was left with one of the Pitts. He came up about 5 feet off of our right wing in the amazing light of the setting sun. He was so close that I had to ask him to back off a tad because the plane didn’t fit in the lens!
Satisfied with the shots, we headed towards home. Before we landed, we did a low pass over the runway. We were screaming through the air at 220 mph! Now that was cool!
I finished off the evening by photographing this Pitts with the setting sun as a backdrop. I used a two flash set-up for this photograph. As opposed to using HDR, this was a new method I was trying and have to say it worked well! This evening was probably the most fun I have had in my photography career. I can’t wait to do it again!
That is really awesome bud!
OMG Joey, what an amazing opportunity… and even more AMAZING photos!!!!! For you my friend…. the sky truly is the limit… actualy for you there is no limit.
Onward and upward…. I definitely like your new two flash setup works well and agree with you in that it does make the photo pop. there are times to use HDR and then there are not.. you’ve proven that… kudos to you my friend… kudos to you!!!!