Thursday, June 21, 2007

Open, Sesame

Like R. Kelly, I Believe I Can Fly

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I guess I was looking for a different aviation image. I didn't want a stock-standard, side-on fuselage shot. The Royal Australian Air Force F-111 is a swing-wing fighter with updated avionics and this one was sitting on a tarmac under a lead-grey sky. The open canopy gave me something to work with and once I'd decided what I wanted, the shot composed itself. In all honesty, I don't think this frame would have worked so well under a clear blue sky.
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13 comments:

  1. Brian in Oxford5:27 AM

    I see the antennae....but where are the thorax and abdomen?

    That's nice, the way it sorta looks like a beetle.

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  2. david mcmahon5:32 AM

    Hi Brian,

    Jeez, you're quick! I was about to photograph the abdomen, but the pilot woulda given me a rocket!

    Cheers

    David

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  3. Cuckoo6:49 AM

    That's an amazing shot !! Yes, looks like a beetle.
    But what were you doing there?

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  4. fuzzbert_1999@yahoo.com8:43 AM

    David,
    I think you should consider putting some sort of watermark on your shots...they are very good and susceptible to "borrowing!"

    I use a freeware product from icegiant.com.

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  5. Lin11:15 AM

    Fabulous head-on confrontation with the F-111! I always thought them to be a handsome craft and a friend recently noted that they were superbly handling flyers.

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  6. FHB2:59 PM

    Very cool shot. Love those planes. Built here in Texas.

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  7. Anonymous3:42 PM

    great shot! rare to find a person who can shoot as well as write really well!
    you are unique! so is this blog!

    keep trotting & shooting
    cheers
    rk

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  8. david mcmahon3:48 PM

    Hi Cuckoo,

    Glad you liked the shot - and the angle at which I took it.

    It was at an air show and although the weather was pretty bad, it was a special challenge to shoot in murky conditions.

    Haven't visited your blog for a while as I've been incredibly busy, but will do so today.

    Cheers

    David

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  9. david mcmahon3:49 PM

    Hi Mushy,

    Thanks for that compliment and the advice. I will sort out that issue once I've finished this novel.

    Will have some spare time to kick up my heels then!

    Cheers

    David

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  10. david mcmahon3:50 PM

    Hi Lin,

    Thank you for your compliment. They are wonderful to photograph and are superb in flight, especially during the dump-and-burn routines.

    Stand by for some shots of WWII Mustangs as well!

    Cheers

    David

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  11. david mcmahon3:51 PM

    Hi FHB,

    Yes, that's right. They are a McDonnell-Douglas product, if I remember correctly.

    Pretty amazing that they're still going strong.

    Cheers

    David

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  12. david mcmahon3:54 PM

    Hi RK,

    That is very kind of you. I am very proud to have received that comment.

    In all honesty, I enjoy photography as much as I enjoy writing. I guess that is why you consider this blog unique.

    My heartfelt thanks.

    Cheers

    David

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  13. SJ Wildlife7:17 AM

    Great pic, David! I love the unusual angles.

    Good job!!

    ~ Sonora

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