Goodwood - Red Arrows

First time shooting the Red Arrows today, at Goodwood. Unfortunately, we didn't have the best position, they were behind some trees most of the time. What do you aviation experts think?

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Awesome, great set of shots, I like the last one best. Well captured.

Hi Danny
I am no aviation expert but I can certainly see that the shots are top class. Fantastic shots. I can see you took them with the DA*60-250

I would love to put my one to test on an occasion like this. Seems perfect for it

Nice shots, for once the sky was bluer up North

shim

great shots!
I like 5 and 6 best.
I think they are a little underexposed.

Well, I was going to post my efforts with the 35mm tonight, but now I've seen yours dear I don't think I'll bother!

Very good shots, numbers 2 and 5 are my favourites: the "head on" appearance in number 2 is great, and I love the vapour trails coming off the wings in number 5 - they also look as if they are emerging from the smoke in that one, you definitely have the "gift" when it comes to this kind of photography.

I hate that you're better than me!

I like the second last.Nice shots

So, do you get the framing right in the view finder, or crop it later?

I ask, because if you get the framing right, with aircraft at those speeds, then I'm impressed!

Love the 2nd one, head on just great.
Great set of images.

ali

Cracking set of photos caught the day very well.
Ian

Hi Unlocker,
Last two definitely for me, all pics are too dark, what I would try is to add a bit of light (levels - white point), then some contrast to develop the smoke better and a bit of small radius unsharp mask to get the smoke more articulated.
Here's my very quick try, surely it can be done much better.
[IMG]http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/3800/goodwood275.jpg[/IMG]

Ahh, one more note, whith these kind of photos light is of course important to give proper colours and contrast, one of mine photos with a good light:
http://www.airplane-pictures.net/image51615.html

If light was like no light, then you may experiment with overcontrasting it, or drastic levels adjustments, sometimes is may give surprisingly good results.
I couldn't resists to have a quick play with another of yours, hope you don't mind (of course you have to use your imagination to tell these Arrows are Red ).
[IMG]http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2614/goodwood267.jpg[/IMG]

Hi piotro, no I don't mind, gives me ideas!

To be honest, I didn't do any PP on them as I was eager to post them! They are as shot, JPEG from camera with just some cropping. The 2nd one you did there is probably my favourite shot I did of the Red Arrows, and you have made it very moody and I like it! Keep the ideas coming if you like, as I have a lot to learn when it comes to PP!

I do try to! It's why I prefer shooting action with a zoom rather than a prime, very quick to reframe, and I find focussing easier because if it has difficulty focusing, zooming out quickly changes the contrast and locks in quicker. Not sure if I described that right, but it works for me! 2 & 3 above were shot in portrait and are near enough full width, just cropped a bit top and bottom, most of the rest are cropped and are about 60% ish of what was shot

As an example, I mentioned that I missed some shots due to the trees, as you may have seen in one of Fiona's photos! The following 2 shots are both full frame, i.e. not cropped, and are taken 6 secs apart, trying to judge the timing right between the trees. Didn't post them earlier as not sure wether to have tress in plane shots or not!







Not the best examples I know, but my timing is improving!

Lovely shots! No 2 is my personal favourite. I agree that if you could have got them a bit brighter in ps they would look a bit better.

No 4 for me, I know ones just out of frame, but they will not pose for you - good effort.