Canadian International Air Show 09

[smcclelland]

Today kicked off the first day of the Candian International Air Show here in Toronto which signifies that the Canadian National Exhibition is coming to a close and this year had some great weather (I have the sunburn to prove it!). The participants this year were top notch ranging from the Canadian Force's Snowbirds to the US Navy Blue Angels, CF-18 Hornet, F16 Viper and the amazing F22 Raptor.

C&C greatly appreciated as always! Need to bring a 600mm next year!

1. The Horsemen (P-51 Mustangs)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/3891332932_52d4d3af98_b.jpg

2. CF-18 Hornet
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3527/3890538607_9c5d1f3d57_b.jpg

3. Blue Angel's F/A-18 heading up into the clouds
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2446/3891371168_ed245fae51_b.jpg

4. Blue Angel's formation
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2432/3890562323_2bf76ac527_b.jpg

5. F22 Raptor burning it up
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2645/3891371804_344f0476d8_b.jpg

6. Canadian Snowbirds Formation
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2626/3890614841_f14a0aa2ba_b.jpg

7. F22 Raptor flashing its goods
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3891385624_6e9e015971_b.jpg

8. The show closer... Snowbirds climb high into the sky and split formation
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3488/3890627147_0f2da3361d_b.jpg

And one more wide angle as the Snowbirds did one last pass over us and flew off
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2571/3890535987_4caedd62c7_b.jpg

[Perry Ge]

Dude your shots are wicked! I haven't even downloaded mine yet but I hope they're close to being as good as these. Love number 5, it looks badass - that F22 was sweet.

[cicopo]

I'm liking # 1 best but they are all excellent. I haven't been there since I was a kid, and the Caribou was one of the crowd favorites.

[andrewhuxman]

Nice looking lineup for this show , nice series you did well with the backlit conditions .

[tcc]

Very nice Shawn. I plan on checking out the show tomorrow when @ the Ex.

What lens(es) did you use? Tripod?

[WingsofFury]

Nice series! I was at work today but I managed to get out for media day at Pearson and the Island airport along with practice day yesterday.

Would it be ok if I posted some photos in this thread so that I don't start a duplicate?

[Don1]

Nice work Shawn. I was at Colonel Samuel Smith Park yesterday and shot the Snowbirds in formation as they passed over during a practice run. Unfortunately with both their altitude that far west and my 55-250mm lens I wasn't able to get nearly as close as your images show.

[smcclelland]

Nice work Shawn. I was at Colonel Samuel Smith Park yesterday and shot the Snowbirds in formation as they passed over during a practice run. Unfortunately with both their altitude that far west and my 55-250mm lens I wasn't able to get nearly as close as your images show.

It's funny how I thought 400mm would be enough and yet it wasn't even close for many situations! The Snowbirds had some serious distance and climb, a few times I totally lost sight of them as they flew away from shore.

[smcclelland]

Dude your shots are wicked! I haven't even downloaded mine yet but I hope they're close to being as good as these. Love number 5, it looks badass - that F22 was sweet.

Thanks for the feedback!

Perry - dude you got some killer shots too! I expect to see that snowbirds shot with the caption "CONTACT!" like the announcer would yell everytime those two did their pass.

Andrew - yeah back lighting was brutal today. I arrived at 12:30 and the sun was facing directly at us and slowly started climbing as the afternoon went on. Some of the better shots we were lucky to get as they passed back towards the city rather than over the water.

tcc - No tripod and using the 100-400L.

[tcc]

Damn, 100-400 and still not enough reach. Glad I just got a 1.4 extender for my 70-200 on my 1.6...lol Should hit 448mm with that combo.

[squaresnappr]

Shawn,

Number 5 is my favourtie. Nice shot, I like how the jet fuel looks blurred in that photo. Just awesome. I hope to take my kids on Sunday. Parking is probably just horrible. Tcc I will meet you there tomorrow.

[smcclelland]

Thanks! If you're going to park I would suggest getting there super early... I was shooting down in the Marilyn Bell Park area by the bike path just west of the VIP Air Show area and that whole parking lot was full (at $25 to park there too!). We took the TTC from our condo to union and had to take a cab from union to the ex it was so busy and the TTC ride back was pretty nuts too.

[tcc]

Is there a good spot to shoot within the ex grounds or where they are holding the show? I'll be there visiting the buildings and such and may take in the dog show :D

[smcclelland]

Grounds wise I am not sure... the air show was 4 hours long so by the time it wrapped we were too exhausted to go to the grounds (maybe Monday) but Perry and myself were shooting west of the grounds along the waterfront where the big air show tents and VIP areas are. If you see a large fenced off area on Lake Shore with a US Air Force tent then just continue walking west on Lakeshore until you see a bunch of parking and then walk towards the water... you'll have a crystal clear view of the waterfront and planes.

[Perry Ge]

I was walking past the ex on my way to meet up with Shawn and there are definitely a few decent spots in the ex to shoot from near the fences on the very south end, but they're really only good for when the planes fly overhead. By the water is still your best bet, unless you can get high up somehow.

[BKGInc]

Nice shots..........number 5 is SICK!

[Snowman100]

Great shots... none of mine turned out anywhere like yours... Excellent....!

[Tyreman]

Good Shots smcclelland!!

[smcclelland]

Thanks again for all the feedback folks! I'm sure there will be a few more threads popping up as some other Toronto area POTN members were hitting the air show this weekend :)