Military fighting vehicles like you have never seen.

[SnowManZ]

Fresh back from my stint in Iraq I thought I would share some photos from all the photo shoots that I did while over there. There have been some expensive cars featured here, but I believe I might have the edge on the vast majority of you other photographer.

The setup:

When I went over seas, I said, "what would I need my wireless receivers for?" To save space I also only brought one strobe. So as I'm sure you can figure out, I could only use my 1DmkII, a tripod, 20-30 second exposure(depending on the situation), and a single strobe off camera. So basic of a set-up, but you use what you have with you.

At first I only had iPhoto and I had to make due with only that program. It was okay when I had wheeled vehicles that I could take and put in front of various backgrounds, but when I wanted to move to tracked vehicles, I needed PS. Tracked vehicles can't just be taken down the street at night and set up for a photoshoot, just not possible. I finally got PS for my new Macbook, and so I was finally able to broaden my photo taking abilities.

You may be able to see the progression of vehicles with good backgrounds, and no PS, to vehicles with terrible backgrounds and necessary PS.


Enough talking, I just wanted to share my experiences with you, so on to the photos.


This is called a %$#@.

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z2888.jpg


Basic Load HUMVEE-

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z3891.jpg


A JERV-

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z3212.jpg


A Stryker Unit-

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z5143.jpg


A Bradley Fighting Vehicle-

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z5480.jpg

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z5481.jpg


And finally an M1 Abrams-

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/Tank1.jpg

http://www.photodump.org/stored19/Tank3.jpg


Thanks for looking. Comments are welcome.

[FlyingPhotog]

Wow. These look as if they're right out of the manufacturers "catalog." These belong on the walls of the CO at Aberdeen or Anniston. How does one arrange a "glamor" session with a Stryker or a Bradley? ;)

As regards #1, they put a CIWS on a vehicle? Looks like a little nightvision and a little millimeter-wave radar unit as well. Kee-rist that would make a rather nasty anti-personnel weapon.

[amironsi]

those are real combat machines.

[Pete's Prints]

Great images. You have made fighting vehicles look great. I never thought that such vehicles could look so cool. In all my time in the Army I could never make such images. I thank you for your efforts and great work. Please keep them coming as a salute to the great people who operate and maintain them. Pete

[SnowManZ]

Wow. These look as if they're right out of the manufacturers "catalog." These belong on the walls of the CO at Aberdeen or Anniston. How does one arrange a "glamor" session with a Stryker or a Bradley? ;)

As regards #1, they put a CIWS on a vehicle? Looks like a little nightvision and a little millimeter-wave radar unit as well. Kee-rist that would make a rather nasty anti-personnel weapon.


I go to the area of base respective to the vehicle, find one with it's crew next to it, and then ask if they want professional photos of themselves with their track or truck. easy as that. 90% of the time they would agree, or they would be cool enough to guide me in the right direction.

Thanks for the compliments.

*edit

#1 respectively is not mounted on any type of moving vehicle or platform, it is stationary. Nor is it anti personel, but that would be one messy clean up for sure

[Desertraptor]

very nice

[Jim G]

Damn impressive images. What's the go with the wire stuff on the outside of that Stryker unit?

edit: found the answer on Wikipedia ;)

[RadAL]

sweet. did you modifiy the backgrounds?

[joato]

awesome man.

[SnowManZ]

sweet. did you modifiy the backgrounds?

on the last two, yes. The bradley, I only enhanced and interpreted the original backgrounds to what you see now. Apart from the blue background, that is still somewhat close to the original.

[medicdude]

VERY cool shots. fits the mood well. my girlfriends best friends husband is in iraq now, he's a gunner on the humvees. i heard he does some cool stuff

[CombatCamera13]

Some pretty nice photos. This is something I can relate to.

[FlyingPhotog]

I go to the area of base respective to the vehicle, find one with it's crew next to it, and then ask if they want professional photos of themselves with their track or truck. easy as that. 90% of the time they would agree, or they would be cool enough to guide me in the right direction.

Thanks for the compliments.

*edit

#1 respectively is not mounted on any type of moving vehicle or platform, it is stationary. Nor is it anti personel, but that would be one messy clean up for sure

Thanks for the background info. Thanks for puttin' it on the line! ;)

[PhotosGuy]

I like what you did with those. Very nice work. Do you have a tighter shot of the last one?



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif

[SnowManZ]

I was trying to stay away from violating any security issues, so I never took any detail shots of any vehicle.

Thanks for the compliment.


I like what you did with those. Very nice work. Do you have a tighter shot of the last one?



http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif

[TooTall]

Great images! Very impressive. My Dad was a tanker in WWII, I'll have to show him these. The JERV looks very interesting, heavily armored, lots of lights pointing in different directions. Is this a vehicle that looks for roadside IEDs?

Cheers,
Kurt O.

[danpass]

That's no JERV .... it's a Transformer! :mrgreen:



Nice shots and thanks for your service!




.

[jlozano180]

Those pics are great, I really like them

[Lowieken]

Great pictures.

That stryker looks soooo mad maxish ...

[bbulldog]

Great shots you got there.

The bradley and abrams have extra than normal armour plating on them. Must be for Iraq. M1 is great to drive too..

[Over Actor]

Very High quality shoots. I love them all.

[Reeforbust]

Thats gotta be cool to roll up on some troops and start takin pics..... I bet they love to have shots of their vehicles!

Wish I had some from back in the day....

[SnowManZ]

A couple more of the tank. I am really glad that you guys like them. I worked many many hours on all of these, including scouting, arranging, shooting and PP'ing.

Yes, the crews are always sycked to get pictures taken of their vehicles. It's something to send home to Mom or the wife.

9.
http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z5027.jpg

10.
http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z5029.jpg

11. Tank commander and crew. The driver is still in his seat, he is not visible. Dont forget I only shoot with one flash off camera.
http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z5036.jpg


Again, I am really glad to hear that you all loved my photos. I intend to make a career with me and my skills in tow. We'll see if it ever plays out, hopefully it will.

[teo-bingus]

The CIWS (close in weapons system) in #1 can be found on the Aircraft carriers and possibly other naval vessels. I don't know of other applications though there maybe some. Basically shreads anything incoming with a ridiculous rate of fire.

The pics all look great. Keep them coming.

[BDDigitalImages]

All are great, really like the Bradley shots, brings back a lot of memories.

[SnowManZ]

The CIWS (close in weapons system) in #1 can be found on the Aircraft carriers and possibly other naval vessels. I don't know of other applications though there maybe some. Basically shreads anything incoming with a ridiculous rate of fire.

The pics all look great. Keep them coming.

I knew what it was. Just for the sake of security, I was going to leave it as a mystery.

[discgolfer11031]

Damn impressive images. What's the go with the wire stuff on the outside of that Stryker unit?

edit: found the answer on Wikipedia ;)

Jim G the wire stuff on the Stryker is to protect from RPG rounds.
The rounds hit the wire and do little damage to the Stryker.

Great shots btw. A change from the ordinary.

[gary88]

AWESOME photos!

[3Turner]

Great series Kris. Wish I could still get on the local bases here to get some pics like that.

[CyberDyneSystems]

What will it take to put ME in an Abrams ?

Great work!

[FlyingPhotog]

What will it take to put ME in an Abrams ?

Great work!

A down payment and your trade in... :p

[steed77]

That is some FANTASTIC work.

Thanks for the pics... I would love some hi res ones.

[asysin2leads]

What will it take to put ME in an Abrams ?

Great work!

You might want to start here: http://www.goarmy.com (http://www.goarmy.com/)

and here: http://www.goarmy.com/JobDetail.do?id=48

OP, those are some great shots. Having done time as a leg, I appreciate the armor.

[PhotosGuy]

I worked many many hours on all of these, including scouting, arranging, shooting and PP'ing. If you spent more than 10-15 minutes cutting them out, try this: Selecting areas in PS. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39994)

[Livinthalife]

Isn't that first one a"sea whiz" We had those on my carrier. It supposedly shot missles that were incoming toward our carrier.

All impressive photos, the shots are great, and the processing is outstanding!

[CyberDyneSystems]

"Sea Whiz" is the spoken pronunciation, coming from "CIWS"

A lot like "Whizzo" from "WSO" or "Weapons System Operator", the back seat in an f-14 or f-4

The more specific name for this particular ship mounted 20mm Vulcan CIWS was "Phalanx"

[paul-t]

Great set mate, lov'em

[drandtus]

Man, these are great! Thanks for sharing these. I was an 11B back in 90-91 and I was always happy to see some big heavy's rolling up. Good stuff :)

[FlyingPhotog]

As CDS points out, CIWS is pronounced "Sea Whiz" but it stands for "Close In Weapons System."

[FlyingPhotog]

Isn't that first one a"sea whiz" We had those on my carrier. It supposedly shot missles that were incoming toward our carrier.

All impressive photos, the shots are great, and the processing is outstanding!

Carriers had a system that was actually a line of defense inteded for use long before the CIWS were cranked up. A box launcher containing four surface to air missles called "Sea Sparrow."

They've been fairly recently replaced with a smaller but more lethal type of missle system that appears to replace the CWIS gun.

http://www.raytheon.com/products/searam/

[crew of 9]

:cool: wow wow-- I lOVE those images...terrific work behind the camera and the gun!:cool:

[Livinthalife]

Carriers had a system that was actually a line of defense inteded for use long before the CIWS were cranked up. A box launcher containing four surface to air missles called "Sea Sparrow."

They've been fairly recently replaced with a smaller but more lethal type of missle system that appears to replace the CWIS gun.

http://www.raytheon.com/products/searam/

I was on the kitty hawk, the oldest vessel in the navy! So we still had sea sparrows too ;) Thanks for the correction as well. This wasn't part of my job, I was just amazed at the 50cal rounds and the rate of fire! If we could only creat a camera that spits that many images in a second!

Thank you Mr CyberDyne too :)

[FlyingPhotog]

FWIW, the gattlling gun on the CIWS fires (fired) 20mm rounds...slightly bigger ouch than .50 cal but targets were no less destroyed! :)

[Box Brownie]

CDS mentioning Vulcan and Phalanx I think reminds me of what this system was called mounted our UK aircraft carriers during the Falklands war. Not sure but I think they were fitted at stern & bow to provide radar controlled crossfire against incoming Exocet missles which were at the time the greatest threat to our forces. This being a last line of defence against such an attack. Sadly HMS Sheffield was not so equipped.

[lowakkrod]

those pictures are absolutely amazing!

[SnowManZ]

If you spent more than 10-15 minutes cutting them out, try this: Selecting areas in PS. (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=39994)

I am biting my tongue from responding with a response that may hurt feelings.

Yes I know how to use PS, as you can see. Look at how intricate, each one of those armored vehicles is. I will give you an original of the Stryker, and you can time your self.

[PAS Photography]

Absolutely Amazing. Im sure everyone would love to see more images like these!!!

[Livinthalife]

FWIW, the gattlling gun on the CIWS fires (fired) 20mm rounds...slightly bigger ouch than .50 cal but targets were no less destroyed! :)

ah okay, :oops::oops:

embarrassed now, I don't even know the size round fired from them/

[trebuchet]

We always called the CIWS "R2-D2 with a stiffie"

[SnowManZ]

There has been much discussion about the weapon system CWIS. I had not anticipated this.

here are few more for you.

11.
http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z2889.jpg

12.
http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z2891w.jpg

13.
http://www.photodump.org/stored19/KG9Z2893.jpg

[AinsworthPhoto]

Very Cool! Great job with the lighting

[Livinthalife]

those are very nice, Did you cut these up too? The BG looks natural...but looks al ittle perfect? PSed BG? I like!

[FlyingPhotog]

Nice adds for the CIWS. I've never had the pleasure of seeing/hearing one fire but I have seen one go through it's calibration routine. You'd never believe that something that big can move so fast. I think the most interesting thing is that when it moves it instantly goes right to where it wants to point and stops RIGHT NOW with no noticeable acceleration or deceleration. I mean it's really, really quick.

[BIGTUFFGUY]

great set, very well lit and processed.

[Colombia]

Terrific Shots! They are amazing.

[AinsworthPhoto]

Oh yea... Thanks for your service to our country. :)

[SnowManZ]

CWIS, HUMVEE and JERV were only processed in iPhoto. iPhoto is a basic picture enhancing program,there are no advanced features with it. I was more than glad when I got Lightroom for Mac, and PS.

Those three were all lighting only, one strobe.

[PhotosGuy]

If we could only creat a camera that spits that many images in a second!
There already is one! 109,500 fps! (http://www.photron.com/content.cfm?n=cameras) I am biting my tongue from responding with a response that may hurt feelings. Just trying to help out, & you can't hurt a Mods feelings. Ve haff vays! :D
Send me the original of Tank3.jpg & I'll give it a shot.
RapidShare (http://www.rapidshare.com/)

[bucket772]

A lot like "Whizzo" from "WSO" or "Weapons System Operator", the back seat in an f-14 or f-4


I thought the back seat driver on the Tomcat was called the RIO "RARAR Intercept Officer" Ehh, what do I know? I was a Bilge Turd on the Independence. Working down there I think I saw more fighter jet shots on TOPGUN then on that boat. Ahh the Military and it's abbr. Spent forever looking for a little Oriental guy when I got to the DCC (Damage Control Central) and was told to find "CHENG" (Chief Engineer)



Seriously, "BZ" on the outstanding pictures and superb PP work. I assume you are using a Wacom or similar device for the control that you needed/used to create them?

Keep up the good work and send a pat on the back to the fella's who's vehicles you are taking pictures of for all of us who can't

[FlyingPhotog]

I thought the back seat driver on the Tomcat was called the RIO "RARAR Intercept Officer" Ehh, what do I know? I was a Bilge Turd on the Independence. Working down there I think I saw more fighter jet shots on TOPGUN then on that boat. Ahh the Military and it's abbr. Spent forever looking for a little Oriental guy when I got to the DCC (Damage Control Central) and was told to find "CHENG" (Chief Engineer)

That's a funny story about looking for "CHENG."


WSO - Weapons System Officer
RIO - Radar Intercept Officer
GIB - Guy In Back

Of course they have names for the front seater too:

GIF - Guy In Front
"Fightergator" - Fighter Pilot/Navigator

and my personal favorite:

"Nose Gunner"

[dsul413]

Fantastic shots. Absolutely great.

[bbulldog]

IS the Bradley in the picture the M2 or the M3 version, i can't remember which is which.
I know one has gun mount holes in the side, about 3 on each side plus on in the back.

[IMARLOW]

Superb set of images.
I take the Stryker as being my pick fo the bunch.
They are all very, very good though.

[peacock]

Very impressive set of images :)

[stathunter]

Agreed. Amazing shots. Thank you for sharing and serving. Thank you. Thank you . Thank you!

[CyberDyneSystems]

There has been much discussion about the weapon system CWIS. I had not anticipated this.



Everyone loves a "big gun" :)

[JohnnyG]

Awesome images! I love the isolation of the vehicles. It really highlights them!

[asysin2leads]

Everyone loves a "big gun" :)

Isn't that why we use Canons?

[SnowManZ]

I love that you all love the shots. It's a pretty good feeling when everyone has so many good things to say about your work. Thanks so much for all the compliments.

Kris Snow

[CyberDyneSystems]

I've been working with local Defense Contractor Raytheon on a mod for the Phalanx,.

instead of a six barreled 20mm,. it is being fitted with 3 1D MkIII's mounted to 3 600mm F/4L IS in a Gatling formation,.. they'll spin at 30 RPM, fire staggered at 10FPS each, giving us radar guided total of 30FPS shots of Birds In Flight.

Now that's a Big Canon. :)

[boboy888]

First thanks for serving and safely back home and great shot.

[FlyingPhotog]

First thanks for serving and safely back home and great shot. The name of the first one i know its just at the tip of my tough.....argh .

It's been named. Simply read through the thread. :)

[Linkzi]

Awesome, awesome work!

[rockabilly808]

all of those shots are bloody awesome, that first pic of the CIWS is great

[Spangler1992]

Wow, very amazing shots. I have worked with several of them and they never looked as good as these. Great Work!!!!

[BottomBracket]

These photos are simply top notch. Thanks for sharing!

[SnowManZ]

I'm gonna go ahead and bump it.

Hope no one minds.

[adam*]

Wow i've just come across these, fantastic work.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Who would ever think that someone could make military vehicles look so damn sexy. But you my friend have accomplished that and then some.

Amazing work. Between the lighting and the angles, I'd say you're ready for some glamour work:D Something tells me if you can make a tank look that hot and sexy, imagine what you could do with a beautiful model

Glad to know you're home safe

[SnowManZ]

Who would ever think that someone could make military vehicles look so damn sexy. But you my friend have accomplished that and then some.

Amazing work. Between the lighting and the angles, I'd say you're ready for some glamour work:D Something tells me if you can make a tank look that hot and sexy, imagine what you could do with a beautiful model

Glad to know you're home safe

Isn't the dream my friend. Hot, half naked models, at your beck and call.

Ahhh, that sounds like the life to me.

Thanks for the great compliment.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Now only imagine if you hot, half naked chicks on top of those pieces of military gear? Something tells me there is a few million calendars sold right there!

PM me if you're interested:D I'll start lineing up the models

[Swiss Toni]

Now only imagine if you hot, half naked chicks on top of those pieces of military gear? Something tells me there is a few million calendars sold right there!
Do wonders for the recruitment drive. :D

[SnowManZ]

keepin' it rollin'

[jimz66]

Great stuff Kris. Very cool shots. BTW that is the TUSK version of the Abrams. I forget what that means but that's the TUSK nonetheless.

[sk82712]

A JERRV, I work in one of those! Haha, beautiful work man.

[FlyingPhotog]

Nice to see this thread get a bump...

[kit lens]

Awesome work! Thanks for sharing.

[Karl Johnston]

Just shows what you can do with just one strobe ! Brilliant shots.

[doug waters]

THANKS for serving!!!

OH .... and fantastic work!!!!

[SnowManZ]

Thanks for the compliments of course, and thanks for the clarification on the specific models guys.

Yeah FlyingPhotog, I figured it needed a bump.

I noticed that I have the number two most viewed "single contributing photographer" thread in the transportation section. I am hoping to be #1, so help me out guys.

**edit**, I just checked the entire forum, and I have the third most viewed "single contributing photographer" thread on this entire website. Number one has a smokin' hot brunette over in Glamour and Nudes, and it is updated constantly. I've got no chance against that one.

[sk82712]

Snow, just out of curiosity..What's your MOS? And what EOD unit did you go harass?

[SnowManZ]

Snow, just out of curiosity..What's your MOS? And what EOD unit did you go harass?


I am a flight engineer in the air force.
That is an air force eod truck on the VBC.

Got to catch my flight,
Kris