Water Bomber

We had a forest fire near by. Watched this plane filling up with water to put fire out. To bad I couldn't get pics of him coming down to the lake as he was behind a hill. Neat to watch.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/46755997@N00/7​004172444/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/46755997@N00/7​004172848/

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …/46755997@N00/7​150264167/

They look pretty good. If you ever get another chance, you should read the "Airshow guys - prop freeze?" & other links in post #2 of: Shooting airshows in Manual

very clean shots, really like these

Thanks Frank and Rick. I looked at that link and I see it would be good to slow down ss for prop blur but I was at 400mm so would have been hard not to have blur from hand holding that lens at that distance. I will try next time.

Clean yes, but that's rather easy when using too fast of a shutter speed or relying on P mode while shooting prop planes. Still a good capture but it's not realistic with the props stopped like that. (did the same on my first attempt, and I admit it so live & learn). As bad as it is to freeze them there are still those times you just don't have the time to think about the settings last used but you know opportunity is slipping away. Read Franks link & try to learn what the acceptable methods are to make your photos that much more interesting.

I think he got it after frank's comment, haha...

Nice shots - a unique thing to witness. Pretty cool, indeed, and the physics behind it are interesting.

@ Cicopo. Gee, I'll never do that again. No prop freeze for sure. BTW it was a fast decision. It was my first time shooting a plane and I was just posting it for people that might not have seen a water bomber doing its thing. I f you check some of my posts in the bird section, bif... you'll see that I'm not just a P mode shooter. Mike, thanks for the nice comment.

Northontguy wrote in post #14390236
...but I was at 400mm so would have been hard not to have blur from hand holding that lens at that distance. I will try next time.

Look at some of Jay's (FlyingPhotog) work, & you can feel inadequate like most of the rest of us!
Then go out & play with traffic to refine your panning technique.

Northontguy, my remark wasn't taken quite right (I think) because it was just to point out that high shutter speeds "usually" result in "very clean shots" which in general are what we're all after. Unfortunately a lot of people DO shoot prop planes without thinking about prop blur are many are very happy with the frozen prop look. My remark was intended to help people who do have the time to adjust their camera to think about what should be done to get the best combination of prop blur but without blurring the plane itself. As Frank says, Jay is an inspiration to look to for good advice & great samples to drool over.

Why are my ears burning?

Cicopo, it's all good. Thanks for the advice. Next time I have a chance to shoot planes I will hopefully remember to lower my ss. Btw I'm moving to Ottawa this summer some time. Maybe I'll see you at the airport. LOL

I used to live there, but that's when it was an Air Force Base. My summer is generally filled with Radio Control events or car shows. If you'd like to attend one of them let me know. I can get you good access at just about any local event and help on settings that generally make for a good starting point. .

Jay, you're ears are burning for ALL the right reasons. I don't know anyone here that can consistently shoot at such slow shutter speeds with long lenses and yet have images that look so razor sharp.

Now who's got shutter speed recommendations for heli's? they are a real challenge compared to the R/C versions.

cicopo wrote in post #14395317
I used to live there, but that's when it was an Air Force Base. My summer is generally filled with Radio Control events or car shows.

Jay, you're ears are burning for ALL the right reasons. I don't know anyone here that can consistently shoot at such slow shutter speeds with long lenses and yet have images that look so razor sharp.

Thanks very much...

Like any skill set, it takes some some key techniques in terms of stance, support and such but more importantly, it takes actually getting out and doing it (something I'm sorely lacking right now! )

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #14395124
Why are my ears burning?

. . . are you sure it's your ears Jay ??

Northontguy - great shots of a Bombardier 415 waterbomber at work, and a good first attempt at shooting planes. Like everything else Claude, it does get better with practice. Thanks for sharing !!
FYI: The 'Superscoopers' are built in North Bay, Ontario - http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Canadair_CL-415