Up, Up And Away

I Feel The Need, The Need For Speed

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

It was a very murky dusk when I shot this series of images of a US F/A-18 Hornet as part of a sequence at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon in March this year.

These are all uncropped images. Aviation photography can be very testing, because you seldom get a second chance for a shot. But in the top left-hand corner of the image below, you can see the slightest hint of a cloud wisp.


The bad light really tested me that evening, because the weather conditions deteriorated very quickly. The next day, however, it rained constantly, so I guess I was very lucky to get any shots at all!


For other participants in Dot’s concept, go to Sky Watch HQ.

Make A Quick Getaway

No, Not An Injection - I Clearly Said Ejection

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Yup, I know that they are called hatches or canopies, but since fighter pilots enter and exit through them to get in or out of a cockpit, they serve the same purpose as doors. Therefore, they can be included in this weekly pictorial theme, right?

This was shot at the Australian International Air Show at Avalon in 2007 and shows an unusual view of the open cockpit and the familiar ejection seat sign.

The biggest challenge at an air show or a motor show is to shoot a frame that does not include onlookers. Because most exhibits - in this case, multi-million dollar aircraft of all descriptions - are cordoned off and there are hundreds of people milling around, either you need to be first through the turnstiles or be able to find just the right angle and height.

But that's the adrenalin of the challenge.

For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Weighty Matters

Is This Another Battle Of The Bulge?

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This week's theme is "Heavy", so I had to rack my brain as I reviewed some of my photo folders. This is one of the heavier objects I've photographed recently. Any idea what it is? If you're not sure, have a look at the objects reflected in the huge metal bulge.

Here's another view of it. As you can see, I was trying to get a really unusual angle of the object.

It's an F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force. This series of photographs was shot at Australian International Air Show at Avalon Airport.

This angle (above) intrigued me for a couple of reasons. First, because grey is the over-riding colour across most of the frame. Second, because of the angle of the open twin canopies and their own reflection.

This shot (above) shows you some of the armament lined up on the tarmac in front of the F-111. This is the reflection you can see in the first frame. Another point of interest is this: the nose is painted matt black. It's not a paint with a glossy finish - and yet the reflection in the first frame suggests that the matt black paint has a sheen to it.

On another note, if you thought Steve Martin had an impossibly long nose in the film Roxanne (with Daryl Hannah) where he played a modern-day Cyrano de Bergerac, think again. Ain't nuthin' got a longer nose than this flying machine.

VERSE & WORSE: Check out Looney Limerick Competition #3.