The Lady Comes A Callin'

[swmdrayfan]

On Thursday, we recieved a visit from the Yankee Air Museum's "Yankee Lady", a WWII B-17G heavy bomber. Advice and suggestions as to how I can improve these are gratefully appreciated. I was using my kit lens and shot manual for these. The sky in the morning was overcast, but some sun and blue skies broke thru in the afternoon. Even if you don't have a comment, I hope you'll find these entertaining.
John

#1 A shot into the nose section and the bombardier's position.

#2 A shot from the right rear, looking over the tail section to the top turret.

#3 A shot of the tail, featuring the tail guns.

#4 The "Yankee Lady" warming for a takeoff.

[Greg McCary]

They are all very good. Darkening the skys might help bring out more detail, but I think the last one is fine. The last one is very good, I think that I would clone the plastic fence on the left side and maybe the dirt too. Super John.
Greg

[swmdrayfan]

Thanks Greg. I'll see what I can do about that fence line and the dirt.
John

[Lava Lamp]

I like the last one best. The guy in the ground really adds perscpetive and makes it work. I'd a dd a little color and saturation if you can.

[Overbeyond]

A nice varied selection and No 2 is a very good approach. No1 is a little grainy but gives an interesting look inside.

[starriderrick]

Excellent subject! The last one is a great presentation.Bring out that wonderful aluminum with some PS work.That's me though.

I saw the "Sentimental Journey" B-17 in NorCal - May'06 Did you see that thread?

Rick

[gahspidy]

I like all of these John, but that last one is really a treat especially with the great clouds forming above. nice angle.

[PrevailingConditions]

John,

I like these shots a lot, but my favorites are 3, 1, 4, and then 2 (in order). I really like the symmetry and the lines in #3. A slightly more defined sky might help, but it might also distract; I'd have to see it to decide. #1 almost feels like we're flying in the sky looking out, but there seems to be quite a bit of noise in the darker areas. #4 is nice for all the reasons already mentioned.

Thanks,

PC

[swmdrayfan]

Thanks everyone, for the comments. I may have overdone it with the lightening in #1, because I wanted to bring out the interior a little more, so the graininess can be attributed to that. I wasn't totally thrilled with the sky in #4, so I'm going to work that a little more, and maybe repost it later.
John

[Frog]

I like the first 3 best for their different perspectives and especially 1 and 3. One because we get to see the inside much as those who flew her saw it and 3 just because of the great angle.
Actually, I think #4 is one of those 'another shot of a b-17.

[polarbeardiggers]

i love the last one the best the way the clouds look stormy as to give the plane a feel of pending doom,everthing works out great,a real keeper on that one for sure.thanks for showing.

[Tyson L. Sparks]

Nice, no complaints from me. great capture.

[swmdrayfan]

Actually, I think #4 is one of those 'another shot of a b-17.

Frog, I had never been able to get a full, clear shot like this one, so I snapped away. I wanted to make sure I had everything in the frame. You're probably right though. Those have been done to death.
John

[swmdrayfan]

Tyson and polarbear......thank you very much. There are a couple of things that need a little more work, but overall I am fairly pleased with the way these came out.
John

[rovowen]

I love all of them. I would only subject that you take the first one and try to
see how it would look being B&W or a sepia. To give the photo an aged look
since the bird would have flown over 65 years ago.

[CLKunst]

Hi John -

I really like your variety of views here. Very interesting with good composition. I think my favorite is the shot of the tail guns, I also like the interior shot too. Gorgeous sky that day! It looks like you made the most of your opportunity with this lady. :thumbsup:

[swmdrayfan]

Cindy....thanks. The sky was definately better in the afternoon though.
rovo...your suggestion sounds interesting. I'll try it.

[drg]

John,

Love the interior photo. The down the fuselage and tail gun shots are quite unusual.

The entire plane is one you can be glad you have in your collection. Particularly with the engines running! One of these days, these are all going to be gone or only static displays.

Any of the 'Lady' in flight?

[swmdrayfan]

John,

Love the interior photo. The down the fuselage and tail gun shots are quite unusual.

The entire plane is one you can be glad you have in your collection. Particularly with the engines running! One of these days, these are all going to be gone or only static displays.

Any of the 'Lady' in flight?

Unfortunately, no. I had my 70-300mm with me, but the monopod was in the car, and I didn't have time to run and get it. Lesson learned.
John

[GB1]

I like the first one the best. It shows the angle that an aviator would see (and we have all seen in WWII movies). It does seem a tad bit dark in the interior. You can see that the exposure was set for the sky too. If you increased the exp though it would blow out the sky, so a fill flash would probably be the only option here. The others seem sorta pedestrian. Number 3, it was an expt worth trying but I think the vert. format of a horizontal subject didn't work. The last one, I like how the fellow it standing there watching it but I think an up-close shot of him with him taking up 1/3 to 1/2 of the photo, with the plane in front of him (behind to us) would have created a moody/contemplating type shot, maybe..
GB

[swmdrayfan]

I like the first one the best. It shows the angle that an aviator would see (and we have all seen in WWII movies). It does seem a tad bit dark in the interior. You can see that the exposure was set for the sky too. If you increased the exp though it would blow out the sky, so a fill flash would probably be the only option here. The others seem sorta pedestrian. Number 3, it was an expt worth trying but I think the vert. format of a horizontal subject didn't work. The last one, I like how the fellow it standing there watching it but I think an up-close shot of him with him taking up 1/3 to 1/2 of the photo, with the plane in front of him (behind to us) would have created a moody/contemplating type shot, maybe..
GB

GB, I was worried that fill flash would be too strong for the enclosed space I was in. As far as #3 goes, I wanted a shot that showed the tail guns. I think perhaps next time I get the opportunity I'll shoot it from underneath (laying on my back---what a sight that'd be ).
You have a great idea about #4, but they weren't letting anyone near the plane with the engines running, and I didn't think to put the 70-300 on. Plus I never thought of it, but your suggestion is one I'll surely remember. Thanks.
John

p.s. Have any of you been inside a 17?? Man those things from the outside, are huge, but trying to navigate around the inside almost requires the work of a contortionist. I don't know how those guys did it, with all the flight gear they had to wear. It really fills you with admiration for those guys.