Reno Air Races 2014

Third year as member of the Unlimited #44 Sparky Air Racing Crew. Five days and over 5000 shots - including the luck of taking the media bus out to the pylons. What an experience, and I have nothing but respect for the photogs out there. They were all extremely helpful for a first time pylon shooter. I was very happy with a better than 70% keep rate for the first time out there.

Hope you like these, there's plenty more. Comments welcome.

Wednesday, Unlimited Qualification, Stew Dawson, F8F-2 Bearcat “Rare Bear” 1/60

Very nice & LUCKY YOU to get to shoot from the center of the action.

cicopo wrote in post #17191462
Very nice & LUCKY YOU to get to shoot from the center of the action.

I agree! Nice stuff!

Thanks guys. Yes, very lucky to get the media pass and go to the pylons. Hopefully next year also...

Very nice set of photos.

Excellent! It's always been a dream of mine to be able to get out to the Pylons and shoot from there. I guess I'll settle for the stands and drooling over photos like this...for now

Thank you Perfectly Frank and WaFp.

Yes, I've always wanted to go to the pylons to shoot. I'm just a pilot and semi pro shooter and thought it would only be available for pros or media peeps. I've been luck being part of the Sparky race crew and they let me shoot for the team. Unfortunately the only day I was able to go out Sparky blew a coolant line on departure and had to return ASAP. Missed shooting my team!

I have lots more, just waiting for anyone to ask to post.

I'll go ahead and ask....more please? LOL

WaFp wrote in post #17199409
I'll go ahead and ask....more please? LOL

LOL Thanks for asking

Nice enough set but moving subjects like these need room (compositionally) to move into, you haven't left any so they look pretty much static. Good prop blur on a few of them though.

Worcester Lad wrote in post #17199753
Nice enough set but moving subjects like these need room (compositionally) to move into, you haven't left any so they look pretty much static. Good prop blur on a few of them though.

True. After looking at the photos I think the crops were a bit tight. Will try to recompose.

Prop blur is my pet peeve. I was told by many of the photogs and pros at the pylons to start at 1/400, but that's way too high in my book. It was my first time there so I shot between 1/320 and 1/250 to "get the shot". Met a guy with a 5D MKIII shooting at 1/1000 on pylon - sharp pics but completely frozen prop. Blech. Second batch I posted on here from the pit line was between 1/100 and 1/125.

1/250 pylon

Some fantastic shots - loving that last Mustant prop - the reflections of the sun in the prop look it has a propellar made from lightening

Shake N Vac wrote in post #17201291
Some fantastic shots - loving that last Mustant prop - the reflections of the sun in the prop look it has a propeller made from lightening

Thank you. Yes, have several shots like that. Love the lightning.

Really nice set.

Nice stuff Harry, I was out there on the pylons also, will need to meet you before next years races. Awesome shots of the Sanders two Sea Furies together!