For the last two years now Dad and myself have undergone a change to photographing aircraft. In that time we have done everything from air too air, to pylons, to static work. Now Dad always said that the static was the hardest because you have to make the plane look like it wants to fly when its on the ground, he also says I’m quite good at it. Well that may be but everything i learned for photographing those planes still has come from his knowledge and those of others in the business. Like Richard VanderMeulen who has shown both us a thing or two.
Now the most helpful thing that i found when it comes to working with statics is that the plane has to be approached just like any other landscape; the only difference is the subject, in this case the L39 in the foreground, is a plane. The same emotional connection trying to be made in a sunset, a sunrise or any scenic shot is that trying to be made when the planes are on the ground. It’s not always easy but it just takes practice. O and i do like the Fantasy of Flight shot Dad.
Image captured with D3, AF-S Nikkor 24-70 f2.8, on Lexar UDMA Digital Film