How’d You Get That Shot? Learning to Compromise

It was our first shoot of the week for the Mid America Flight Museum. Departing Mt. Pleasant Airport almost one year to the day, the sun could not rise soon enough to cut through the chill of the Texas air.

Scott Glover flies the 1929 Curtiss-Wright Robin C/N 237

Matt Bongers was at the control of the O-1 Bird Dog we were using as a photo ship when Scott Glover and Kelly Mahon joined up on our wing in the 1929 Curtiss-Wright Robin and a 1928 Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000 respectively. We did a few solo shoots first before having them join up together. The biggest challenge being the incredible amount of snot one can produce in the freezing air. Pretty sure no one will ever buy my camera now.

But I digress; Scott, Kelly and Matt quickly acclimated to the formation positioning, changes and lingo putting me at ease knowing the rest of the week will go smoothly. Once the sun began to peek over the light fog, steam also began to rise over Lake Bob Sandlin. Through the camera, it looked great, but my focus was on the two aircraft and how to get them to line up.

Kelly Mahon flies the Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000 C/N 416 just after completing delivery of the aircraft from the state of Washington to Mt. Pleasant, TX.

You see, my Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder (OCD) seems to be getting worse as I age. Two different aircraft types typically result in two different angles of attack (AOA). An angle of attack refers to the perceived pitch of the aircraft. Some aircraft types have a perceived higher or lower AOA due to the placement of the wing, fuselage design, center of balance, etc. When formating two completely different aircraft, it’s not uncommon for the AOA to be different between the two. And that’s where my OCD comes in.

When it came to editing the resulting images, the solo shots were great! Everyone did a spectacular job. But when it came to selecting two-ship images to edit, nothing was calling to me. My OCD was kicking in big time due to the difference in AOA and what appeared to be an awkward formation.

Kelly Mahon in the Curtiss-Wright Travel Air 4000 and Scott Glover in the Curtiss-Wright Robin join Matt Bongers and me in the O-1 Bird Dog photo ship over Mt. Pleasant, TX.

Kelly Mahon wasn’t having any of that. He wanted to see formation shots so I compromised. I found an image that seemed surreal and majestic even though to me it was imperfect. The wings didn’t line up, it looks as though the aircraft are headed in slightly different directions, it just didn’t speak to me. Regardless, my issues shouldn’t get in the way of pilots and aircraft owners taking joy in their accomplishments. And let’s face it, flying these 80+ year-old aircraft in formation on a freezing morning is no easy task. They deserve every ounce of recognition for what they do!

So, I put my OCD aside and tried to approach it from another perspective. As someone who loves history and even going so far as to recreate historic moments, that was what I saw. The more I finessed the image, the more respect I had for our early aviators. This became a brief glimpse into the early days of aviation when pilots arose before dawn and began their cross-country journeys low over the countryside. They didn’t always fly in perfect formation, as a matter of fact, they hardly ever flew perfect formation. It was about getting from point A to point B and enjoying the smaller points in between.

To me, this image became more about drawing an end to the birth of aviation and ushering in the 1930’s with air racing, endurance and speed, improving commercial travel and making this world a little smaller. I didn’t feel it at first, but this has become my tribute to the pioneers of aviation; a good compromise!

Thank you to Scott Glover, Kelly Mahon and Matt Bongers from the Mid America Flight Museum for allowing me to document their collection. And thank you to Aviation Week Space Technology for awarding me 2016 Best of Show for this image.

When a Photoshoot isn’t a Photoshoot

The first Air Force One which flew Dwight D. Eisenhower, returned to flight on March 19, 2016, taking off from Marana airport in Marana, Arizona. On March 22nd, Columbine II began the cross-country journey to Bridgewater, Virginia to undergo a complete restoration.

About thirty feet away, a freshly restored P-51 Mustang was coming to life after a four-year restoration by Airmotive Specialties in Salinas, CA. The Mustang, a former air racer once owned by Lefty Gardner, was having her legs stretched by Eliot Cross as an historic resemblance to WWII Ace, Charles E. ‘Chuck’ Weaver’s aircraft. Knowing both Lefty’s and Weaver’s history, standing alongside this aircraft was simply magical.

It was about that time my phone rang; how I heard it over the roar of the Mustang’s Rolls Royce engine, I’ll never know. On the other end was good friend, Scott Glover of the Mid America Flight Museum in Mt. Pleasant, TX.

“Wanna Photograph Air Force One?” He asked.

Ironically, landing gear may have saved the Lockheed Constellation from becoming an agricultural sprayer. Gear from a L-1049 model was placed on this earlier version preventing the FAA from allowing it to continue operation.

Only a few weeks earlier I had heard about the purchase and intent to restore the first Air Force One, a Lockheed Constellation named Columbine II that had become President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s personal transport. Needless to say, I was beyond excited to have been asked to document such an historic moment.

The aircraft was purchased as part of a lot of five Lockheed Constellations which were to eventually be heavily modified for low-level, high-acrage crop spraying. Three of the acquired Constellations were converted, one was used for parts and the fifth aircraft was denied certification by the FAA due to incorrect landing gear. Apparently the military chose to replace Columbine II’s stock landing gear with that of the more robust L-1049 variant and the FAA didn’t like that. Due to the cost of replacing the landing gear, the aircraft sat in the Arizona desert.

Fast-forward to March 18, 2016, nearly a year after that initial phone call, when the diligent work of Dynamic Aviation, with the assistance of the Mid America Flight Museum, came to fruition and Columbine II took to the skies once more.

For the rest of us, that was our cue to head to Marana, AZ, and begin the next phase. She was to embark on a cross-country trip to Bridgewater, VA, where she would undergo a thorough restoration and become a flying museum piece.

Flight Engineer station onboard the Columbine II

When I arrived in Marana, I was able to see first-hand the amount of work the two teams had put into getting the nearly 70-year old aircraft flying. Structurally, the aircraft is like new, but the years still took its toll on the aging aircraft and like most things her age, everything needed to proceed slowly and with extra caution.

The crew moved all of the aircraft closer to the runway the night before departure. On the apron sat Karl Stoltzfus’ King Air chase aircraft as well as his new pride and joy, Columbine II, in addition to Mid America Flight Museum’s immaculate B-25 ‘God and Country’, which would become the platform from which the flight would be documented.

The former location of President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s desk onboard the Lockheed Constellation ‘Columbine II’, better known as the first Air Force One.

The key word used throughout our briefing process and conversation was, ‘document’. Sure, I had high hopes of in-your-face dramatic formation positioning, precise lighting, stunning prop blur and every other image a photographer strives for when going on a photo mission. But, this was not that…it was not a photoshoot.

Typically, when flying with another aircraft being photographed, I’ll position them by asking for minute movements in relation to the photo platform; 5 feet forward…10 feet down…10 feet back, etc. The challenge lies with the subject aircraft’s pilot making fine adjustments to the throttle and yoke in order to accomplish those positions. Doing these types of maneuvers in a partially restored aircraft which still needs the input of a flight engineer in addition to the pilot and co-pilot, would put unnecessary strain on the already aging mechanics of this special aircraft.

Get to Virginia in one piece…that was our goal. However, photos would be nice, but far from the primary mission.

Sitting in the back of the B-25, the Connie approached slowly and cautiously over the course of nearly an hour. As pilot, Lockie Christler; co-pilot, Scott McDonald and Flight Engineers, Tom Woodward and Tim Coons inched the aircraft closer to the B-25, I was able to provide some basic suggestions like, more to left, more to the right, stack high, stack low and scissor. Precise positioning was out of the question as was a change in our heading. Basically, what you see is what you get, and I was perfectly happy with that!

One of the biggest technical challenges was the focal length of the lens vs. the shutter speed required to get motion in the propellors. Most of the air-to-air work was shot with a Nikon D810 and 70-200 f/2.8, mainly used at the long end. Rule of thumb, (prop-blur aside) is that the shutter speed should be equivalent to the focal length being used, so at 200mm my shutter speed should have been no slower than 1/200 sec. to insure sharp images.

That simply wasn’t going to happen. The RPM of Columbine II’s radial engines were significantly slower than that of a P-51 or aerobatic Extra 300. In order to get full rotation of the three-bladed assembly, a shutter speed of 1/40 was needed. In the freezing cold tail of windy B-25, the Kenyon Labs gyro saved the day. Had it not been for the improved stabilization of the gyro, many of the images would have been unusable.

Over the course of the 4.5hr flight to Mt. Pleasant, TX, I was able to get in some Yoga courtesy of crawling over the bomb bay and under the flight deck to get to the nose. Although it had probably been some ten years since I’ve had to do that, it was a stunning reminder of what these 20-something year olds were faced with on a daily basis flying B-25’s into combat zones during WWII. The big difference, we didn’t have anyone shooting at us and the temperature at 9500ft was far more bearable than their high-altitude missions.

With Scott Glover at the controls of the B-25 and Matt Bongers sitting right seat, they managed to position the twin-engine bomber to reveal the Constellation’s beautiful lines from the rear-quarter view. Add the sprawling American countryside to the equation and you have your photoshoot-esque images of an American icon coming back to life.

The complete restoration is estimated to take 3-4 years and will take place in Bridgeport, VA. Once finished, Columbine II will be the only civilian-owned Air Force One and will travel across the country educating people on the history of presidential aircraft as well as how Columbine II changed the course of history regarding all aircraft that would eventually transport the President of the United States.

Special thanks to Karl Stoltzfus and his incredible crew at Dynamic Aviation for making the impossible possible along with his aircrew, Lockie Christler, Scott McDonald, Tom Woodward and Tim Coons. Without the incredible friendship and enthusiasm of Scott Glover and his crew at Mid America Flight Museum; Matt Bongers, Gregg Williams, Erik Johnston, Frank Glover, Jr., Linda Cortelyou and many others, I wouldn’t have anything to write about. Thank you for this incredible opportunity!

No, you may not have my RAW files, and here’s why…

It doesn’t happen too often, but every now and then I’ll get a request for my RAW files. Usually it goes something like this:
“I understand these 20 are your best shots, but I want to see everything!”
or
“How about I edit them and save you the time?”
or
“I don’t understand this editing fee. Aren’t you going to send me all the files anyway?”

The RAW portion of the file on the left looks muddy and flat compared to the edited and more accurate version to the right.

All perfectly reasonable requests for those who are unfamiliar with the editing process. But once the process is explained, it tends to make a little more sense why giving clients RAW files is a bad idea.

My simple explanation is that the client hired me for a reason; to supply them with the best images possible. A RAW file is not a finished product, not even close!

The most successful analogy I have been able to come up with is to that of a master painter. One wouldn’t expect Michelangelo or Leonardo daVinci to hand over an outline of a painting thinking the recipient is going to finish it. (Not that I am in any way comparing myself to these amazing artists and thinkers!) But could you imagine an unfinished Mona Lisa? A half-carved statue of David? Inaccurate coloring of The Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel?

A photographer’s imagery and vision shouldn’t be treated any differently. Often times I will sit down with a client and share all of my files with the warning that these are incomplete and not representative of the finished product. They’ll pick out a few and I’ll begin the editing process, but I never turn over the RAW files.

Remember, your portfolio is only as good as your worst image. The same goes for your reputation. Should you cave in and hand over RAW files thinking they will never be seen by anyone else, those files may very well end up in the public eye without your finessing. And of course the one time you get proper credit for the image, it will be this image you get credit for.

To Enter, or Not to Enter Social Networking Photography Competitions

In an attempt to gain readership, or as one of the more popular social networking sites call it, Followers, many organizations are creating photography contests whereby the winners are those with the most votes. Viewer’s Choice, Popular Choice, Public Choice, all names given to the top photo awarded by these organizations.

Unfortunately there are more reasons not to avoid in these contests than there are to partake and hope for the best. Assuming the rules of the competition are agreeable to both parties and the organization isn’t planning on a rights grab from all entrants, most participants will have an uphill battle in securing the top spot regardless of how amazing their image may be.

The most common social networking site to conduct these popular vote contests is Facebook and the image with the most ‘Likes’ wins. But getting those ‘Likes’ is more about how many people you know and how much you can share your own image against others doing the same.

There are plenty of resources that describe Facebook’s algorithms and how they share posts with friends, fans and followers. Posts that include links are viewed far less frequently than posts with only an attached image. So, sharing a link to your image will garner fewer views than posting the image alone. Additionally, posts are distributed to viewers based on their most recent and relevant interests, which may not include your posts.

Along with finding ways to cheat Facebook’s algorithm, contestants will also have to compete against others who may have a larger following or be more adept to other social networking sites such as Twitter, Instagram, Vine, Google+ and more.

What it all comes down to is that Popular Choice contests really don’t focus on the ‘best’ image, but rather the most savvy social networker. Besides the individual who eventually gets the most ‘Likes’, the only real winner is the agency hosting the competition. After all, you worked very hard to send everyone to their page.

Taming a GoPro

Pictured above are two complete GoPro Hero 3+ Black systems and a range of accessories organized using three Cocoon Grid-it boards.

Recently I ordered a bunch of GoPro stuff hoping to dive into video. Instead I ended up diving into a heap of random parts. As someone with a mild case of OCD, I needed to find a practical solution to not only organizing everything, but finding a system where I could account for each and every piece out in the field. I thought of old camera bags, Pelican cases, tool boxes, whatever, but none of those choices seemed like a solution to me.

Both GoPro kits are set up in an identical fashion so if only one set up is used, the other can provide reference insuring every piece is accounted for. Additionally, the pocket on the opposite side of the Grid-it board can hold a photo of the items and their placement for reference should both kits be needed.

Since I began photography back in the ’80’s, I’ve always had some sort of system. Making sure everything had a place and those places were occupied by everything meant that I should leave an event with the same number of items I arrived with. As aviation photography became more my forte, it became even more crucial that nothing gets left behind. If a random part were left on a tarmac or taxiway after a nighttime shoot, that part could easily get swallowed by the intake of an aircraft resulting in a very expensive mistake.

The third Grid-it board is used for random or one-off accessories such as spare backs, miscellaneous clamps and extensions as well as the touch display and charger.

I had heard of a company called Cocoon and these boards with webbing aptly named ‘Grid-it’. On one side was a random series of straps used to secure small items and on the other side was a pocket perfectly sized for an iPad…or perhaps, instruction manuals, pens, lens cleaning tissues or whatever else you could fit. I ended up purchasing three of these for $25 each; one for each GoPro set up and one for the remaining oddball clamps, housings and other components.

An unexpected benefit to the system is the ability to cover the lens of each GoPro with the webbing meaning no scratches. Once all three boards are set, they can be stacked and placed in any bag safely. Removing a single board enables a complete set up to be used without messing up everything else.

Once everything is organized on each board, they can be stacked and placed in just about any bag.

There are no doubt other ways of organizing your system, hopefully this will just be another tool in your belt. And if this system ends up not being the best solution, the Grid-it boards can be used for just about anything.

As for a useful bag or carrying case, check out Sporty’s or PilotMall’s collection of flight bags. These bags are specifically designed to carry books, charts and other paperwork where the Grid-it boards will fit perfectly. Additionally, the exterior pockets will provide plenty of additional room for larger accessories and components that wouldn’t otherwise fit on the Grid-it boards.

Sporty’s Flight Bags

Cocoon Grid-it

Archiving Can Be Fun! Ok, not really….

It’s that thing we do when we’d rather be out shooting. First you dive into the really cool shots you created editing the best of the best to share with the world. Then you take a wee bit more time to scour through the thousands of rejects to find the obvious winners only to go through them all one more time to single out those with potential. Once everything has been separated, the editing and archiving process begins. But it shouldn’t end there.

All those supposed rejects that we hold onto for that ‘just in case’ scenario still need a little love. This is where I hope I can help.

Everyone’s archiving techniques are different and none of them are wrong so long as you are able to find what you’re looking for quickly and efficiently. If that’s not the case, maybe my system can offer a few ideas.

My system is very simple. I archive my digital images the same way I archive my slides and negatives. I never lose touch of the original file or frame number. A photo of an A380 taken at Airventure in 2011 will look just like this:

osh11_a380_1234.tif

It denotes the location; Oshkosh, the year; 2011, the subject; A380, and the original file name assigned to it by the camera; 1234. I can even add a few more descriptive notes to the file name such as manufacturer or another aircraft that may also be in the image, such as an Airbus A330. It would look something like this:

osh11_airbus_a380_a330_1234.tif

Why might I choose to be more descriptive with a file name? A little thing called SEO is reason enough for me. Search Engine Optimization is the core tool used by Google, Yahoo, Bing and other companies to find appropriate images, links, websites and more. The more descriptive I can be in the file name, the better chance I have of my images showing up in a consumer search. It goes without saying Metadata and Keywording is also extremely important, but I’ll save that for later.

Now that you have a library of edited images with keywords built right into the file name, searching for the appropriate shot should go a lot quicker.

But what about all those rejects? Same thing. Before I even begin editing photos, I batch rename everything! I personally use Adobe Bridge, but this can be done in Lightroom as well as Aperture. Batch renaming will allow you to search your entire hard drive, whether the images have been edited or not, for that perfect image for which the client is seeking but may have not seemed relevant at the time.

iPad Portfolio App Comparisons for Photographers

With the sudden proliferation of quality iPad portfolio applications on the market, I wanted to figure out which one(s) would suit me best. In doing so, I realized my research had become rather extensive and to the point of potentially becoming a resource for others. Although there are dozens of iPad portfolio apps available, I felt confident narrowing it down to these eight based on consumer feedback, overall price and features. Because of the incredibly fast advancement in technology and software, this article is probably going to be out of date before it can even be posted. The information here is as of April 25th, 2013 and includes the version of each featured application.

FolioBook (Version 3.3)

Perhaps one of the most frequently reviewed applications, the creators of FolioBook have listened to their viewers and continue to make updates placing them amongst the best portfolio apps on the market.

The creators of FolioBook have worked closely with some of the top commercial photographers to create a highly customizable portfolio that can be loaded onto multiple iPads for maximum exposure. Content can be hyperlinked and layout can be designed to fit the look of your business in both portrait and landscape mode.

When creating a portfolio, up to 200 images can be imported at a time and either a still image or a video can be used as the custom splash screen with the added option of an overlaid company logo. Users can choose from 70 different font styles along with varied text color and transparency as well as supplied background textures and motion graphics. Included are four types of transitions as well as the ability to email an image to a client directly from the portfolio with or without copyright information.

Video support can be added through an in-app purchase of $1.99 and customer support is made easy through the application’s main website.

UPDATE: For users of Photoshelter, FolioBook is now integrated with the popular image hosting website for greater ease of syncing images and modifying a portfolio. More information can be found here: FolioBook now integrated with Photoshelter.

Review by Scott Kelby
Review by BestAppSite

PadFolios (Version 2.0.1)

Creator, Juan Pablo Mazuera set out to develop not only a versatile portfolio application for photographers and graphic designers, but a presentation interface that can be put to use by just about anyone. A resident of Columbia, Juan is a 27 year-old graphic designer and photographer who found the iPad lacking that perfect app to showcase his images, so he created one and called it PadFolio.

One of the few portfolio applications that works on both the iPad and iPhone, Padfolio is completely customizable with the added option of creating up to 30 different portfolios, each with their own look and containing up to 400 images per gallery. During the portfolio creation process, the application automatically saves your work so there is no need to worry about remembering to save as you go and if you choose to remove photos from your device library, it will not remove them from the application. The customizable splash screen can be locked in order to prevent a client from accessing user tools and any file type that can currently be used on an iPad can also be imported into the application.

Currently version 2.0.1 lacks the function of an automated slideshow as well as the ability to sync a presentation with music, but these features are currently in the works and should be available in the next update. Until then, music can be played in the background by making use of iTunes and the iPad’s multitasking feature.

http://www.padfolios.me/home.html
Apps for iPads Review (Version 1.5)

Portfolio for iPad (Version 3.03)

Portfolio for iPad is another highly customizable application that puts your business at the forefront of the viewer’s attention. Besides having the ability to import images through iTunes, this application can also sync with a Dropbox account for greater versatility and ease of updating. The uniquely designed splash screen and galleries can be locked as well as shared on multiple iPads. Additionally, user portfolios can be streamed to a larger monitor through Apple’s Airplay functionality.

The application is compatible with most types of media including still images, video and audio and allows use of either pre-designed themes or completely customized layouts featuring your business attributes. Viewers can either manually scroll through images or use an automated slideshow complete with background music if so desired and view a portfolio in both landscape and portrait mode.

http://ipadportfolioapp.com/
BestAppSite Review

MediaPad Pro (Version 2.0)

If you plan on showcasing multiple types of media, MediaPad Pro may be the best choice for you. Designed for use by photographers, videographers, designers, directors and anyone else looking to share a portfolio, this application boasts having support for the most diverse types of files.

After your content has been imported through iTunes, MediaPad Pro allows for adding personal and business information to a customized splash screen or your choice of one of five different background images included within the application.

When creating your presentation, you can choose any color scheme from the supplied color palate as well as fonts, transitions and adjustable timing to better coincide with any supplied background music. What sets this application apart from most others is the ability to offer a guestbook allowing you to increase future business potential.

http://www.medlmobile.com/apps/ipad/mediapad-pro
Professional Photographer’s Mag Review (Version 1.2)

Minimal Folio (Version 1.2.1)

Minimal Folio is just as it sounds, a basic portfolio application without too many bells and whistles void of an automated slideshow and music. While this can present itself to be a good thing, absolute customization of your portfolio to reflect your business look may be a deal-breaking compromise.

Despite its minimalist approach, the application will allow syncing through Dropbox and will accept most image files as well as .PDF and video files. Users can manage multiple portfolios and like most of these types of applications, lock the device to prevent viewers from accessing the underlying management tools.

At $2.99, Minimal Folio won’t break the bank if you’d like to give it a spin. An additional .99 will allow you to download the iPhone version.

http://www.simonheys.com/minimalfolio/
BestAppSite Review

XtraFolio (Version 2.2.2)

Another versatile, yet pricey portfolio application is Xtrafolio. The application allows for images to be downloaded through Dropbox, iTunes or from the iPad’s existing photo library. Once images are contained within Xtrafolio, captions and subtext can be added based on the user’s input or the existing metadata. Like most portfolios, the splash screen can be customized and locked as well as skipped altogether if the photographer or viewer wants to skip directly to the images.

Xtrafolio allows for an unlimited number of galleries and an unlimited number of images and videos within each gallery. The application also allows for nesting, or folders within folders within folders. Slideshows can be enhanced with added music and each portfolio can have its own tunes. A big plus is having the ability to keep multiple iPads up to date when making changes to the application on the designated master device. Should the view become interrupted during the course of a portfolio slideshow, the application has a ‘Save State’ feature that allows the viewer to return to the place where they left off.

http://www.xtrafolio.com/
BestAppSite Review

FlexFolio (Version 1.4)

Developed by fine art photographer, Emmanuel Faure and fashion photographer, Antoine Verglas, FlexFolio has gone through an immense growth process since its initial introduction. Originally priced at $24.99 for the first version, it was later dropped to $14.99 and can now be had for .99 through the iTunes store.

The application allows for multimedia files including still images, videos, audio files as well as Word and Excel files should the user wish to include an existing price list or complex biography. Another feature of the application is the ability to include unique business cards or contacts within each portfolio. This feature would be most appropriate for photographers who contract to outside sources whereby sharing a mutual copyright or concerning a business partner.

Unfortunately, after reading multiple reviews, the application seems to lack an ease of use and despite some reviews claiming it also works on the iPhone, it is an iPad only application. But, if you’re willing to put up with the learning curve of how the application operates, you can’t beat the price.

iPhoneography Review

PadPort (Version 1.0.1)
Designed as a minimalistic portfolio application, PadPort offers the basics to getting a portfolio on your iPad. Currently there are only two themes available to base your portfolio around, “Essential” and “Mnmlst”, both incorporating a single font; Century Gothic.

As with most portfolio applications, the splash screen can be customized with your unique information, but still needs to be designed around the included themes and can then be locked in what the creators call “Kiosk Mode”. The application allows for up to seven portfolios containing both still image files and video files. Batch loading of images through iTunes was recently added to the application speeding up the import process.

A negative I have learned of, and have not found any updates to the contrary, is where upon start-up of your portfolio, a splash screen appears from the creator of the application. This appears to be the only portfolio application that puts themselves ahead of the photographer.

http://padportapp.com/
JonathanJK Review

This chart represents information available about each iPad Portfolio Application listed in this blog as of April 25, 2013. Details are subject to change as individual applications are periodically updated.

Think Different

I don’t often share my Apple Store experiences with anyone outside Apple even though I regularly have some pretty amazing interactions with customers. Quite frankly, with Apple’s intense secrecy I’m not sure I’m allowed to, but it would be a shame not tell this story.

Although this may seem like another Apple Feel-good saga, and in a way it is, if you’re reading this blog for photography related material, you’re still in the right place. Hang in there, it will all come together.

Wandering through a sea of aluminum computers and solid wood tables, an elderly couple attempted to interact with these relatively alien devices. The husband appeared a little more lost than his wife, but that was only because she was the one who had an interest in a new computer. He couldn’t care less.

She and I talked for a bit while her frail husband continued to meander around the store. Another staff member brought out the desktop computer she wanted along with all of her fun accessories. We unpacked the computer together and with the help of another Apple associate, began the process of setting up the basics and making the computer her own.

Her husband sat down at the same table but at a distance and alone, still appearing lost as he curiously watched other people in the store. I moved a bit closer to him and began a completely unrelated conversation so as to occupy a bit of his time and not make him feel ignored. We got onto the topic of how computer savvy younger kids are today and how quickly they pick up on technology. He asked if working at Apple was all I did. I told him my primary job was that of a photographer and I mainly photograph airplanes. He laughed a little.

“I don’t understand,” he said. “A plane is a plane, a car is a car and a cow is a cow. How can you make a living taking photos of these ordinary things?” To relay my best customer service, I agreed and told him that’s a very good question. “If the photos I create look just like the objects I photograph, I would no doubt have a very difficult time making a living,” I told him. “The challenge is to make every aircraft look unique but familiar and bring out the strongest feature of that plane.”

I could tell he was a very objective man and doubtful that a simple photograph could make an ordinary object look extraordinary.

On the table was a 15” MacBook Pro laptop. I navigated the web browser to my gallery of Reminisce black and white photographs and proceeded to show him some of my photography. What happened next was nothing short heartwarming.

The fragile older gentleman’s eyes began to water as he watched image after image flash before him. I asked if he was ok. He glanced over at his wife, then back to the screen followed by a simple nod. After a few more seconds and without provocation, he started to tell me a very powerful story. “I was at Normandy and remember seeing these planes. They didn’t look like this,” he said. “I have few words to describe what I saw and what I experienced. Come to think of it, it’s been nearly 30 years since I’ve even talked about Normandy.” Another lengthy pause followed as he watched the slideshow intently. “These are beautiful,” he said. “You’re right, a photograph of an airplane can look a lot different than just an airplane.”

I was speechless. Not only did I suddenly have a better understanding of his objectivity, to him at the time these aircraft were simply tools of war, but I had so many questions and was poised to listen intently to his stories if only he were willing to share them. At that moment however, I could sense the sight of these aircraft seemed a bit overwhelming. The fact that he was willing to open up to me and share a piece of his past that he hadn’t shared with anyone in three decades almost brought a tear to my eye.

He continued to surprise me as he named off the individual aircraft. “I jumped from quite a few of those C-47’s,” he recalled. “I also remember seeing those white stripes on the wings for the first time [referring to the D-Day invasion stripes applied to all allied aircraft]. They painted hundreds of them that way.” He went on to describe the actions of P-38’s and P-51’s in the European Theater. For someone who managed to distance himself for so long from such intense experiences, his memory was flawless.

Soon his wife was all set and her computer was back in the box. He and I both thanked each other for the shared stories and shook hands. I watched as they walked hand in hand toward of the front of the store and then out of sight. What really caught my attention was how his once frail shuffling steps turned into a more confident stride. Moments like these remind me of why I do what I do, both at Apple and as a photographer.

As an artist, it is my job to show an ordinary object in a way it has never been seen before. What I don’t expect are for the resulting photographs to convey an emotion, especially one that effects me just as much as the viewer. While Apple’s privacy policy prevents me from mentioning the gentleman’s name, it is one I’ll never forget. It is an experience I’ll never forget.

To some, winning a contest defines a good photo. To others, selling a print defines a good photo. To me, nothing could define a good photograph more than a single tear.

Be different, think different, make your mark.

Gyroscopically Speaking

An example of a Kenyon-Labs KS-6 gyroscope kit, sans Pelican carry case.

When most of us make large purchases aimed toward our craft, it’s difficult to justify the uncool things like tripods, batteries, strobes, filters and the like. So imagine how difficult it was when I plopped down $2800 for a gyroscopic egg thingy that will only make my camera heavier.

Kenyon-Labs, the most well known, and probably only manufacturer of portable cinema gyros, offers six different mainstream models; the KS-2, KS-4, KS-6, KS-8, KS-10 and KS-12. Photographers and DSLR videographers will most likely narrow this selection down to three, the KS-4, KS-6 or KS-8.

The KS-4 unit falls on the smaller end of the gyro scale and is designed to support a camera and lens combo weighing up to 4lbs. This may prove to be quite limiting and not allow for your gear to grow if not already using slightly heavier pro-level equipment. The KS-6 will support up to 6lbs which should fill the need of the average user. Even bigger is the KS-8 which can support a fairly heavy mass of 8-12lbs, but weighs over 5lbs by itself. With all that in mind, I chose the KS-6.

The Kenyon KS-6 gyro comes complete with a massive battery, AC and DC adapters and of course the gyro, all contained within a hard Pelican travel case. Lightweight, it’s not. At almost 3.5lbs for the gyro itself, it weighs more than most cameras like the Nikon D4 at 2.6lbs and the Canon EOS-1D MkIV weighing 2.7lbs. The battery is just slightly smaller than the one you’d find powering your car and comes with Scoliosis-inducing shoulder strap. Holding the entire unit can be a bit unwieldy with it’s combined weight, including a lens, reaching 8lbs or more.

Despite these rather small drawbacks, a gyro is an amazing tool and contrary to physics, it enables a camera to float in your hands.

Although you can certainly use your camera vertically with a gyro attached, a much better solution would be to take advantage of a camera-rotating flash bracket such as this and then cut off the grip, which will end up only getting in the way.

When you first attach the gyro to your camera you’ll find it a bit difficult due to the lever-type rod and its inability to rotate a full 360 degrees continuously. Add to it the slight fumbling of joining two bulky objects. A good solution is to add a quick release plate right off the bat so the gyro will simply snap on and off the camera.

Another limitation you’ll notice is that the gyro is intended to remain beneath the camera  aligned perpendicular with the lens. If you plan on shooting verticals, this could prove to be a little awkward. A simple solution is to add a rotating flash bracket and cut off the flash bracket part. A basic bracket that won’t set you back too much can be found here. A slightly more advanced bracket can be found here, but you may want to think twice before breaking out the hacksaw.

Now that everything is assembled and the gyro has been turned on, it will take about 20 minutes for the unit to spool up to its working speed of approximately 20,000 RPM. The first thing you’ll notice is the gyro wanting to fight you with every sharp movement you make. One of the most important little tidbits about using a gyro is its rate of turn limitation, in this case about 20 degrees per second. If you swing the camera with a gyro attached any faster than that, the spinning motion of the gyro will try to stop you. There will be a slight learning curve toward avoiding this effect.

An example of a Nikon D7000 video rig utilizing a stability grip with over sized focus ring, 7″ HD monitor, shoulder support and KS-6 gyro. The gyro alone doubles the overall weight of the set up, not including the external battery pack not seen in the image.

Another issue to be aware of is fatigue. As you’ve probably noticed, I repeatedly mention the combined weight of things. Holding a camera/lens/gyro combination may not be a big issue for the first 5 or 10 minutes, but eventually it will begin to weigh heavy on your mind, pun intended. If there is a means of supporting your rig through a series of bungee cables or other creative method, it may be worth giving a try.

And finally, bulk. While it’s an incredible tool and definitely makes a difference in the final product, it can be rather large and at times, impractical. Photographing from a tight cockpit or at an unusual angle, like in a contorted position, may illustrate its limitations. Photographing from a designated camera ship with a large door and a comfy seat, would be ideal.

Despite the limitations; price, bulk and weight, once you’ve used a gyro it’s difficult to imagine not using one. It’s a necessity for video work and can save the day during those turbulent evening aerial shoots. Undoubtedly one of the best investments in uncool things I have ever made.

When NOT to use HDR

There’s no doubt I’m not a huge fan of HDR, or High Dynamic Range, photography. While I think it’s a neat effect and a fun thing to do with photos that didn’t turn out quite right, I’m seeing this overused effect pop in places it never should have even been considered.

High Dynamic Range (HDR) typically involves the blending of multiple images taken at different exposures to create a single image with a broad exposure range. In this image, three exposures were made from a single image and then blended together to create an HDR image. The HDR edit can be seen on the left with the original image on the right.

Now before I begin my little diatribe, I have given HDR a try and I even own RC Concepcion’s book, “The HDR Book: Unlocking the Pros’ Hottest Post-Processing Techniques”. It’s a fantastic and thorough book detailing the process. However, this overly used effect is becoming common place in places where it shouldn’t be common.

So what exactly is HDR? The proper way of creating an HDR image requires the blending of multiple images, usually three to five photographs, shot at different exposures. Think of it as a bracketing burst all in one exposure. The results enable a wider range of exposure similar to what our natural vision can capture. Unfortunately, this effect also pulls out details that are unrealistic and over saturated. Essentially, HDR images take on a more painterly or illustrated look rather than appearing like a traditional photograph.

Now I’d like to think I’m relatively accepting of new technology and techniques. My workflow incorporates the latest in software and computer technology, my equipment is constantly being updated to keep up with the Jones’, I’ve even embraced the world of DSLR video and motion picture editing. But, when it comes to tweaking photos to the point of creating an unrealistic world and still calling it photography, I personally have to draw the line.

An example of before and after HDR image manipulation. The HDR edit can be seen on the upper left with the original image on the lower right.

Case in point, my wife and I have recently begun our search for a new home. Browsing the thousands of listings, I occasionally come across homes where the real estate agent has accepted images from a photographer employing HDR or the agent has tried HDR first hand themselves. As I mentioned earlier, HDR brings out details not visible to the human eye in a very unrealistic nature. This is an instant turn off for me. Any time the photographer or agent feels the need to manipulate photography of an item for sale, my trust for that agency disappears.

High Dynamic Range was used in this image to bring down the intensity of the lamp and light seeping in from the window. Moderate use of HDR also helps brighten up shadows without turning the image into an illustration.

Another example I recently came across was an aircraft for sale. This particular broker showcased numerous aircraft all featuring HDR as the photo technique of choice. The effect was so prominent I had difficulty telling what kind of plane it was. The sky ended up becoming more defined than the aircraft and the leather seats looked like a newly discovered material never seen before.

But is HDR completely out of the question? Absolutely not.  I offer my clients the option of using studio lighting to properly light a home for brokerage or architectural photography or, if they choose, I can apply a subtle use of HDR to brighten up shadows and dim down hot spots. To reduce the cost of the shoot, most clients prefer the latter. There is however a bit of an educational process when comforting photography-savvy clients about the subtle use of HDR. When used in moderation, HDR can provide a realistic and pleasing image that will not change the overall appeal and still provide a factual representation of the subject matter.

Very subtle use of HDR can assist to fill in shadows and balance highlights without harming the overall subject of the image.

The point is, be very careful when using HDR. If you enjoy the effects of HDR photography, great, but the resulting illustrations should remain outside the considerations of showcasing products for sale if the effect is not used in moderation. If you’re a photographer, do your clients a service and utilize your knowledge of photography and post processing techniques that provide a realistic perspective of the product you are photographing. While HDR may be fun, it’s not a solution for everyone and can end up being detrimental to your client.