Airport layout

[itsatrapski]

I posted this on the other pics board a while ago. I really liked this shot, but would like to get some critiquing on it in order to improve my technique for future photo opportunities.

Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D DSLR
70mm-210mm
1/500
F5.6
ISO 100
With a little minor editing to bring out colors (I.E. highlights and shadow)

I had the camera in Program mode, since it was chilly and I had gloves on and didn't want to take them off to adjust settings manually...

[KansaiGreenie]

Hi itsatrapski,

Great nickname by the way...

I like this image and I can see why you like it. The composition is well done. It has a nice foreground, nice movement of the plane and it is well positioned in the frame. The trouble with this image is that the background is quite busy and the plane gets lost in it. As a post processing fix, I would suggest playing with darkening and/or blurring the background. As for shooting, just make sure that your lens is wide open.

Good job!

KG

[irieness]

I like the sky, but I agree with Kansai that the plane gets lost with background. Perhaps in that same position, take a picture when the plane is still high enough, with the sky as a background>?

[wal]

The plane does seems to get lost with the bg. I'd suggest taking the shot when the plane is a little bit higher, maybe about 100 feet or so, that way you'll still retain the bg and sky as well as the foreground..it' would been a nicer composition, IMO...

[robohaxx]

This will be post #1 for me, but I liked this shot so much, I couldn't just lurk any longer.

The composition and lighting of this image is spectacular. You caught a moment that will be difficult to recreate. The bands of color/contrast running from top to bottom are akin to a painting. I like the fact that the plane is among the band of shiny/contrasty things. With it at any other height, it would spoil the effect. The dark clouds near the horizon on the left keep the treeline symmetrical, but let the silhouettes play with my mind.

I'd like to view a large print of this, mounted on a wall with at least a 20' viewing range. From a distance, I'd see the bands of color and think it was a painting. As I get closer, the detail of the airfield would emerge, and finally, the airplane itself. I think I'd find myself absorbed by the telephone poles standing like soldiers, the round tanks flanked by the round foliage, the water tank taller than anything else, and the chill in the air made obvious by the colors and the plumes of smoke/steam.

You've got a good eye for composition, and I'm not saying that as a photographer, because I'm not one, but as an art lover, which I am. I carry a camera around and take lots of pictures, but I don't get many keepers. I've been enjoying art for a lot longer, and I like looking at yours.

Thanks for sharing and please, post more.

Dan

[whereisjohnwilson]

This is a weird side note, but is this in the United States? I didn't think it was legal to take pictures of airports?