Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit

This shot is an example of how an ultra wide lens can enhance an image.  The wide lens expands perspective emphasizing the largeness of the aircraft.

The Spirit is a flying wing which has inherent stealthy radar characteristics. Coupled with the radar absorbent coatings along with the stealthy shape (no right angles), the B-2 has a low if not nonexistent radar signature.  The bomber has a range of 6,000+ nautical miles unrefueled, and a large payload of 40,000 lbs.

  The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is stealthy to radar.  It is an American Strategic bomber which can deploy both conventional and nuclear weapons.  It is a flying wing which needs fly-by-wire in order to fly.

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North American F-100

F-100F at NMUSAF

This is first image into which I introduced an horizon between the background and the floor.  I liked the result.

I have a friend who says he used to take naps in the air intake back in the day.  He ways that others did so also.

They now have, on display, outdoors at the 179th, the F-100.  That is because it used to fly out of the Mansfield Airport.

Served from 1954 to 1971 with USAF.  It was the first fighter capable of Mach 1+ in level flight. A followup to the F-86.  It was a close air support jet and Wild Weasel in Vietnam.

 

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Convair F-102A

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger at NMUSAF

The background clutter was too much!  I got it under control in stages.  This is the final result.  I reduced opacity just enough in the black layer to provide a sense of place.

An American interceptor aircraft, it entered service in 1956.  Originally designed to achieve Mach 1 supersonic flight, it had to be redesigned using the "area ruling" before it could do so.

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North American F-86 Sabre

North American F-86A Sabre at NMUSAF

Many including me, feel this to be the most beautiful fighter.  It has a difficult location and cluttered background drawing attention away from the subject.  I used HDR.

This aircraft in its later iterations was capable of Mach 1 in a dive.  It was considered the most important fighter in the Korean War.  It entered service with USAF in 1949.

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Lockheed U-2A

Lockeed U-2A at NMUSAF

This is one of the first of my projects to remove clutter and accentuate the subject.  It was exceedingly high contrast because of the under lighting.  I used HDR.  I did not have to deal with the floor or an horizon.  I reduced opacity on the black layer to provide a sense of place.

A single-engine, high altitude reconnaissance aircraft flown by USAF and CIA.  Shot down in 1960 over Soviet Union and in 1962 over Cuba.  Difficult to fly because of its remarkable performance.  It flew at 500 MPH and 70,000 feet.  The plane flew within 5 MPH of its stall speed at high altitude.

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B-58A Hustler

Convair B-58A Hustler

This image is a case where museum lighting is a limiting factor.  The lack of light on the nose creates a shorter aircraft appearance than desirable.  The pitot tube beyond the nose, iridescent orange, is the only thing showing the plane's length.

The aircraft carried a fuel pod under the fuselage.

Was the first supersonic jet bomber capable of Mach 2.  It used the delta wing.  It replaced the Boeing B-47.  It was succeeded by the smaller, swing-wing FB-111A.

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Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor

Lockheed-Martin F-22A Raptor

 My daughter, Carrie lives near the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton.  When I go, I try to set aside time to do photography there.  I have had time recently, as my print making winds down to work more on the shots I made there in 2013.  This one was shot on March 1, 2013.

The museum presents a series of difficulties in shooting the planes.  Usually the backgrounds are cluttered and distracting.  In many cases the foreground is also a challenge.  The lighting is very contrasty and low.  I think that I have come to an understanding with myself as to how I will progress in the future.  I like the low vantage point because it helps solve the background issues.  In this shot I had to include an undesirable foreground element which I then removed via the magic of photoshop.  I have decided the the high contrast is best dealt with by shooting HDR.  I find that ISO 400 or better 800 work for the low light and I shoot -4, -2, 0, +2, +4 exposure compensation.

I like to find an horizon line which separates the foreground from the background.  I paint the background black on a separate layer.  I paint the foreground on another layer with the clone stamp tool or a brush if needed.  I can change the opacity of the back ground so that a sense of place is maintained.  I set it such that you know the image comes from the NMUSAF but not to distract from the subject.

I think aircraft are enjoyable to photograph.

The Raptor is a single seat, twin-engine fifth-gen super maneuverable stealth fighter.  The USAF claims it is unmatched.  The final F-22 rolled of the assembly line on Dec. 13, 2011.  Designed to replace the F-15 and F-16 as the air superiority fighter.

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