How would you shoot this?

Last minute call to cover a surprise fly-by for someone's 100th birthday. The client wants a shot of the birthday 'boy' looking up at the sky as the CWHM Lancaster does a fly-by in his honour.

It's a huge surprise & he won't know what will happen. I won't know the direction of the Lanc until she approaches, hopefully her distinctive drone will help me position myself in the right place in time for the pass. She may make a second pass after turning around.

So, what body & lens? I have full frame & crop bodies, 17-40, 24-70 & 70-200. The Lanc usually does relatively low passes over the museum but is considerably higher when cruising over our neighbourhood. She does pass relatively low over our Legion on Remembrance Day which is next door to the birthday party.

Any suggestions for a cool shot of the man looking at the Lanc? I'm visualizing a profile shot with the Lanc approaching.

Cheers!

Rubi Jane wrote in post #12160552
Last minute call to cover a surprise fly-by for someone's 100th birthday. The client wants a shot of the birthday 'boy' looking up at the sky as the CWHM Lancaster does a fly-by in his honour.

It's a huge surprise & he won't know what will happen. I won't know the direction of the Lanc until she approaches, hopefully her distinctive drone will help me position myself in the right place in time for the pass. She may make a second pass after turning around.

So, what body & lens? I have full frame & crop bodies, 17-40, 24-70 & 70-200. The Lanc usually does relatively low passes over the museum but is considerably higher when cruising over our neighbourhood. She does pass relatively low over our Legion on Remembrance Day which is next door to the birthday party.

Any suggestions for a cool shot of the man looking at the Lanc? I'm visualizing a profile shot with the Lanc approaching.

Cheers!

hey, so i would ask first a ETA so you can have the right equipment... I'd go with the 17-40 on the full frame... I'd try to catch the kid from the chest looking upward, full frontal shot from under or around the kids waist so you can catch the plane on top of the photo as it starts to catch the kid. I dont know if i'm explaining it well... Hope so

Kid?? The guy's 100 years old!!

Mike wrote in post #12160720
Kid?? The guy's 100 years old!!

His inner child will be happy lol

I read he was turning 10 not 100 lol now i'm laughing

Hehehe, yes he's 100, hence 'boy' tongue in cheek lol

I'm leaning towards using the 5D but was thinking 24-70, then doubting if I'd be limited on the wide end. 17-40 shot low would offer a dramatic perspective. I know the ETA, just don't know direction or whether I'll get a second chance.

Thanks!

Rubi Jane wrote in post #12162271
Hehehe, yes he's 100, hence 'boy' tongue in cheek lol

I'm leaning towards using the 5D but was thinking 24-70, then doubting if I'd be limited on the wide end. 17-40 shot low would offer a dramatic perspective. I know the ETA, just don't know direction or whether I'll get a second chance.

Thanks!

How about this... I know i'm getting a bit carried away but... how about 5d with 24-70 and pocket wizzard with you (here's the carried away part) and a second camera with the 17-40 and pocket wizzard to trigger it of from your camera on a tripod with the o so sure fail safe super wide shot... don't know if it's too much it's for the "kid" lol

Second camera for a safety margin is creative and worthy of some situations, unfortunately it wouldn't have helped us out today.

The Lancaster didn't fly (due to high winds from what I understand), and was replaced with a Harvard. The location was disorganized and although the Harvard passed by twice the time was limited to get the shot I really wanted when the cooperation was non-existent. I did however get a set of shots that showed a lot of expression on the man's face while surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers which worked well for the client.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Well to bad about the Lanc... but the good thing is the client was happy with what you got hope we can see the final product

Sounds hard