SR-71 Blackbird

**Loupey** · 02-16-2006, 11:33 PM

Shot recently at the Smithsonian. I have always found it difficult to get good shots of large objects in indoor venues. The cluttered backgrounds, the people in the foreground, arrrgh.

For this, since there was a catwalk, I thought I might portray the plane's strength by making it look imposing symmetrical, broad shouldered, and forcing those meddling people as small as possible to the background.

swmdrayfan · 02-17-2006, 04:24 AM

Nice one, Loupey. I like your idea for the shot. We've got one here in Kalamazoo, but the lighting was really subdued, and it was nearly impossible to get a good shot. Without my tripod I couldn't get a shot that wasn't blurred. I'm going to try it again at a later date, and hopefully I'll have some of your success.
John

Speed · 02-17-2006, 05:28 AM

Loupey,

I like this! Very nice shot of an awesome aircraft. I like the symmetry of the aircraft, the lighting works for me, and the people are definitely subdued by it's presence.

What lens and focal length was this shot with/at? Did you try any wider shots, to make the fuselage look longer and the people smaller?

**Loupey** · 02-17-2006, 12:01 PM

Thanks, guys

The info on this shot (from Canon's file view software):

Tv( Shutter Speed )
1/20
Av( Aperture Value )
3.5
Metering Mode
Center-weighted averaging
Exposure Compensation
0
ISO Speed
800
Lens
24.0 - 85.0 mm
Focal Length
24.0 mm

Pretty basic - because I only had this one lens with me at the time and no tripod, I just rested the camera on the hand rail for support. I wish I had my 17-40 back then.

From two other views:

***Photo-John*** · 02-20-2006, 01:58 PM

These are all really good. I like how you included the people in the photos. To me, that makes the photo much more interesting. And I'm choosing the Featured Photo this week. You get the nod - but not for the first image - it's the third one that works best for me. I like how the lines of the plane sraw my eye up and to the people in the background. Then I go back for another look at the plane. It's an excellent composition and your exposure is great. Very, very nice.

Thanks for sharing and congratulations!

Seb · 02-20-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loupey

Shot recently at the Smithsonian. I have always found it difficult to get good shots of large objects in indoor venues. The cluttered backgrounds, the people in the foreground, arrrgh.

For this, since there was a catwalk, I thought I might portray the plane's strength by making it look imposing symmetrical, broad shouldered, and forcing those meddling people as small as possible to the background.

Hello Loupey, Congrats for the sticky! I am not a plane enthusiast but I don't think that one can resist the Blackbird, it is so unique. I too enjoy the inclusion of people in the shot, it allow a sense of scale and the people almost looks like aliens against the plane or vice versa... I'll go with PhotoJohn and say that the third one is the best, followed by the second and then the first...
Although being enjoyable, the first one seems somewhat cluttered, the relation betwen the planne and the open space is a bit weird. The two others picture breathe better so to speak. Nice lighting btw.

Seb

swmdrayfan · 02-20-2006, 05:52 PM

Holy crap, Loupey!!!!! You just joined this month and you got a sticky already??

Gotta be some kind of record. Way to go.
John

**Loupey** · 02-20-2006, 08:15 PM

Thanks, All!

Never expected a sticky! As I expressed in one of my earliest posts, I'm just tickled to be able to share images with other people who love photography in general.

As you may have noticed, I love to give advice (even when one is not asked, as my wife reminds me from time to time) so I'll keep posting replies and images with info with hope it helps someone.

Thanks again,
Loupey

freygr · 02-20-2006, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loupey

Shot recently at the Smithsonian. I have always found it difficult to get good shots of large objects in indoor venues. The cluttered backgrounds, the people in the foreground, arrrgh.

For this, since there was a catwalk, I thought I might portray the plane's strength by making it look imposing symmetrical, broad shouldered, and forcing those meddling people as small as possible to the background.

Someplace I do have a slide of one taking off about 1969, but it's very small taken with a normal lense. I'm going to have to find it......

GRF

**gahspidy** · 02-20-2006, 10:39 PM

Congrats on the sticky. i like the second shot best for the point of view interests me more. But all the shots are good and i like the symetry you went for. Good dynamic perspectives.