Air Show 09 @ The Canadian National Exhibition

Went to the air show for the first time this past Sunday. Was very nice weather but the sun was a killer for taking pictures. Plus got really tanned

Always still learning how to take action shots but for these ones, and basically my others, I can't figure why they aren't very sharp. I was using a 1.4 extender with my 70-200/2.8. Handheld with the settings on the 2.8 @ 1.4m-infinity, AF, Stabilizer on and @ mode 1.

Anyway, here are some pictures.

#1

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Nice variety of shots there. But anticipation is as (more) important than getting everything else right? Re #1:
Airshow guys - prop freeze?

I have to say that #3 definitely has a pretty cool feel to it... planes flying upside down and the flare added in there makes it feel unique!

As for the sharpness, I noticed a lot of my photos were hazed heavily by the previous aerial stunt planes dumping their contrails and the blue angels really loading up the sky thick with theirs as well.

Saturday and Sunday were no wind days, whereas on Monday there was a breeze blowing all the smoke towards the west. As well, I found that the free air breaks were really helpful in letting smoke settle between acts.

From my vantage point on Sunday, I didn't see much smoke at all (VIP area). On Monday, there was a bit of low cloud around the show line which was blow away by about noon, just in time for the show.

Prop Blur = TV = 200 or lower

Thanks for the comment Shawn and PG That shot and the #2 were just flukes. I was just tracking the planes and when they flew into the sun I actually got blinded for a few seconds in the viewfinder...lol

Yah I know I should've shot slower to get the blur of the props but I was just shooting happily

What are the best settings to use when shooting air shows?

Read the link I gave you?

Nice!!! Number 1 is my favorite!!