Air Show at AAFB

[maddog10]

The Air Show is at Andrews Air Force Base this weekend. I will be in the parking lot at my office on Saturday (as long as it isn't raining) if anyone wants to swing by.

The Thunderbirds are the featured group this year. I hope to get some decent photos.

PM me for the address if you want to come by. You can't see the whole show from my office, but it does provide an interesting perspective.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2008-9.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2008-20.jpg

[iamzrad]

I'll probably be there on Sunday afternoon.

[Lively]

I used to work at a small airport, way back when. They had a airshow with WWII planes, I don't know which ones - but it was very cool and I got some good film shots of them. I regret not taking up the opportunity of catching a quick ride - but I hate flying and heights!

I wish we had the time to do it this weekend, the kids love planes. When we lived in Crystal City we'd walk to Gravely Park just to lay on the grass and watch them land at Regan. There is one approach that comes in over the the wildlife pond thing on the other side of the road, it feels like they are going to land on you. Too close for a decent shot, but you can feel the power.

Have fun! Get (and post) some good pics.

[SubMariner]

Sweet!

[F8LBITE]

Im pretty sure im coming Mike. Ill let you know the morning of.

[maddog10]

Looks like they are calling for rain Saturday. If it rains I probably will not go. I snuck out in the parking lot earlier today (it was overcast) and snapped a couple quick shots during practice. I didn't have my camera handy when the B-52 bomber was flying in. That is one large airplane!

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-1.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-2.jpg

[Pat Kelly]

I would love to see that but like you said the weather does not look good. Every year I either had a band thing or a bike thing that day. This year nothing and the weather is going to be crapolla.

[lonlangione]

I just have to say Mike, those are some very impressive shots. Nice work.

Lonny

[F8LBITE]

awesome shots, sucks about the weather.

[Lively]

Cool! You can see the pilot in the one that's going vertical. Great captures.

[iamzrad]

Ugh...the Kent Narrows meet is Sunday as well, same time. Totally forgot about that. Hmmm...

[longstocking]

fantastic shots mike...

you are making me want to buy a camera..... and soon.

[longstocking]

Mike are there any old P-38's in the show?

My grandfather was one of the head engineers on that plane with lockheed.

I would love to go see one in action... maybe even get a pic from ya (someday... suxs about the weather!! )... maybe give it to my dad as a b-day or fathers day present all framed and pretty.

[maddog10]

There may be one on the ground, but I haven't seen one flying yet. I got a couple of shots of a P-51 Mustang last year. I will be sure to try and get a few shots of the Lightning if I see one.

Because of the bad weather forecast for tomorrow. I went out and shot a few planes today. Hopefully the weather holds out tomorrow. Looks like I will be at the office tomorrow, no matter what, since I screwed off half the day today.

I'll post some photos later tonight.

[longstocking]

Thanks Mike... I owe ya !

[George]

I haven't been to Andrews but I used to go to the Macdill show when I lived in Florida. There was always a P38. I noticed because that was my favorite plane. It was only on the ground though. They don't fly them much.

I understand that the same will be true at Andrews. There should be one on the ground but not in the air. There should be a P51 Mustang in the air though. The P51 and the Mig are the same ones I saw in Tampa I think.

Your pictures are top notch Mike. I have tried so I know how much skill it takes. You're quite the photographer.

George

[longstocking]

either way.. even on the ground.. wouldn't that be a cool present.

My grandfather never talked much about it.... as he was full blooded german. He played poker once a week and would close the blinds. They eventually asked him what the heck he was doing with the blinds closed every week as they thought he might be spy. My dad is just now finding out about what my grandfather did during his years at lockeed.

[maddog10]

Brad (who works on base) said there is a P-38 on the ground. I won't be able to get over to take photos. Maybe I can get lucky and catch it when it leaves.

Took these today. They are, technically, not great photos, but they show why I like my little spot so much. The planes get REALLY close. These are full frame, uncropped photos. I have some where the planes are even closer, but I was shooting into the sun.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-3.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-4.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-5.jpg

[maddog10]

You guys missed it!
Turned out to be a GREAT day. No rain and the sun came out for a good portion of the show. I got sunburned again this year. Took over 800 photos and most of them looked good.

[F8LBITE]

Crap! I demand pics!

[longstocking]

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[maddog10]

Started out overcast.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-6.jpg

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-7.jpg

Ended up sunny.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g36/maddog10/Airplanes/airshow2009-8.jpg

Still have a lot of photos to go through!

[iamzrad]

Sweet planes!
But the photo's are kinda dark...

[maddog10]

Sweet planes!
But the photo's are kinda dark...

Most of the shots were backlit. Only way to lighten them more is by making big changes in Photoshop and I won't do that. I still have more shots to process, I'll see if there are any brighter shots. The sun only came out for the last half of the show.

[Lively]

Most of the shots were backlit. Only way to lighten them more is by making big changes in Photoshop and I won't do that. I still have more shots to process, I'll see if there are any brighter shots. The sun only came out for the last half of the show.

Why won't you photoshop?

[iamzrad]

Lightroom has great features to touchup lighting in photos and it does not affect the image badly, as in no pixelation/noise.
*The exposure function is the tool to use.

[maddog10]

I do use Photoshop, just sparingly. I do not (usually) make major changes. If major changes are needed, it is usually because you didn't do something right when you took the shot in the first place. Can't get better if you lean on photoshop to much. Some people like to get artistic, and that is fine, I just like to take pictures of what I see.

[Lively]

Gotcha. I agree about leaning on photoshop to fix a photo. I like doing the artistic thing, but it is a rare shot that I think is worth the time/effort.