The Aerographs Newsletter
25 September, 2019
Much has transpired since our last newsletter, and it’s time to update friends and followers.
Painting with Light! There are many different ways to light a subject, and although it has recently become popular again, “painting with light” is actually an old technique. It involves leaving the shutter open, usually in a dark studio or outside at night, and then using one light to “paint” a subject. It allows the light to be directed where it might not otherwise be practical or possible, and to use one light to illuminate large objects, when it might not otherwise be feasible due to time or logistical constraints. With modern photo software (Photoshop), several images are created which are then combined into one finished image.
This technique was used recently when a Hondajet was photographed for Epps Aviation here in Atlanta, and the image appeared as an ad in Charter Hub magazine. Nine separate images were used to create this finished composite image. Shooting while tethered to a laptop, the principal photography for this image was completed in about 30 minutes.
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Pro Photo Daily Another article was recently written about the “bomber jacket” book project, on the photography website Pro Photo Daily. While it was never envisioned the project would last this long (it began in the fall of 2014), it has allowed me to pursue jackets that might have otherwise been overlooked, including WASP and Tuskegee Airmen jackets.
A coffee table book is planned, and a traveling exhibition as well. The jacket at right belonged to one of the original 99 “Flying Tigers” in China, and was photographed courtesy of the San Diego Air & Space Museum, in their basement.
Vertical Magazine During the Heli Expo here in Atlanta, I met the publisher of Vertical magazine, out of Canada. The next day he had a need for images at Atlanta’s Dekalb Peachtree Airport…a demonstration by one of the exhibitors, Vita Inclinata. VI has come up with a Load Stability System or LSS, for sling loads attached underneath helicopters. The idea is to attach the LSS between the load and the helicopter, and using gyroscopes, advanced software and battery
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powered fans, it will counteract the swaying of the load. This makes the load much more controllable when performing heavy lift jobs, and can stabilize patients being lifted during emergency evacuation situations.
They just opened a new 6400 square foot production facility in Broomfield, Colorado on 1 July, and have interest from the US Army, the US Air Force, and others who have a need to stabilize sling loads.
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Heli Expo Held the first week of March this year, the annual event was conducted at the World Congress Center here in Atlanta. It brings together helicopter companies from all over the world, showcasing their new and improved products. It was quite entertaining and enlightening to see where aviation is headed.
The Bell Nexus prototype.
www.aerographs.com Airbus had a stunning display as well.
1964 BELL 47G-3B-1, used in the original Batman tv series in the 1960’s.
Photographed in January during the Sport Aviation Expo in Sebring, Florida.
Pushing a Just Aircraft Superstol JA35 STRET aircraft
onto the taxiway, prior to an evening flight at the Sport Aviation Expo.
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Questions with a Pro… I was recently featured in ASMP’s Strictly Business blog post, where I answered a few questions about my “bomber jacket” book project, and about aviation photography in general. The below image was created during this year’s AirVenture in the EAA Museum’s photo studio, with the generous assistance of the museum curator, Ben Page. This is an original jacket, one of two known to exist with this artwork, created by renowned artist Harry Holl. Many thanks to Ben and EAA for his generous assistance in making the facility available.
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Increasing Our Capabilities… As I get further down the road of creating commercial art, it has become increasingly important to continue development of my Photoshop skills, as it allows for the creation of images otherwise impossible (or very difficult) to produce. Case in point is the image below. The runway threshold was photographed this summer, while the aircraft was photographed two years ago. While I understand some clients don’t want any sort of manipulation in their images, there are times when it’s the only way to go…so I’ve learned how to create new images by combining several different images into a new creation.
The CamRanger 2… While I’m usually not impressed with photo gear much anymore, I must say that having recently added the CamRanger 2 to my arsenal will certainly allow for the creation of images not otherwise possible. It’s basically a self-contained wi-fi transmitter that also allows one (including the client!) to follow the shoot on a laptop or iPad. What the camera sees can also be seen remotely, and it can be controlled using their software. I’m excited to begin putting this new tool to work, and will be sharing the images soon.
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In Memoriam… As many of you know, my friend and client Richard Hogan passed away on March 23rd in a crash at Tom B. David Airport in Calhoun, Georgia, while test flying the Innovator. While the exact cause is not known, I can say that it was a tragic loss for the Commuter Craft family, the investors, and the aviation community at large.
He was a man of great determination and vision, and his good humor, patience, and resolve are sorely missed. He leaves behind a daughter, former wife, and many friends. He was 62 years old.
LTC (Ret.) Dick Cole, last surviving member of the famous Doolittle raid on Tokyo on 18 April, 1942. Photographed during an event at Atlanta’s Dekalb Peachtree Airport in the fall of 2016, at the time I thought he was 100 years of age, but I had actually short-changed him by a year! A humble man who didn’t consider himself a hero, he continued to make himself available for aviation and historic events through his last few years, and remained an active 103 year old, passing away on April 9th, 2019.
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One other notable was the passing of LTC (Ret.) Bob Friend, an original Tuskegee Airman. He flew 142 combat missions as a P-47 and P-51 pilot in WWII, and continued to serve through the Korean and Viet Nam war eras, retiring with 28 years of active service. He then formed his own aerospace company, and continued going to work every day, until recently.
A gentle man with an infectious laugh, he was always very welcoming to visitors and those who wished to hear his stories. He passed away on June 21st, at 99 years of age. He was photographed at Atlanta’s Dekalb Peachtree Airport in October, 2017.
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Honor Flight‌ On May 8th, I had the privilege of photographing an Honor Flight from Atlanta to Washington D.C. We had 24 Veterans and their Guardians on the flight, which took us to the major military and veteran memorials, and finally back to Reagan National Airport for a dinner meal sponsored by the local USO. It was a wonderful day, and I’m sure brought a measure of closure for many of the veterans in attendance. If you ever get the chance, please participate in or support this important work.
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Strangers thank the veterans at Arlington National Cemetary.
Marines on parade at the Lincoln Memorial. www.aerographs.com
The Sergeant of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Arlington National Cemetary.
The US Air Force Memorial.
Fading light greeted our return to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. www.aerographs.com
Sid Turner was a member of the heavily decorated 716th Military Police battalion,
and paid tribute at “The Wall� to many friends lost in the Vietnam War. www.aerographs.com
Girls in Aviation Day… On 14 September, the local Gone with the Wind chapter of Women in Aviation International hosted a “Girls in Aviation Day” at the Delta Flight Museum. In all, the chapter hosted over 300 girls and 200 chaperones in this event designed to encourage, engage, and inform young girls about the many opportunities available in the aviation field.
Learning about clouds and weather.
Meeting a real pilot!
Mechanics from Delta TechOps were on hand to discuss being an aviation mechanic. Middle Georgia College…
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An Atlanta firefighter
Touring the 747 cockpit
Getting the stamp of approval! www.aerographs.com
Learning how to read an aviation map‌
Learning ground signals‌ www.aerographs.com
Touring the retired Boeing 747
The JetLinx team was well represented…
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Automobiles… Many of you are probably not aware that in my younger days, I was a bit of a car nut. Not over-the-top Porsche sheets on the bed nutty, but I did (and still do have) a leather Porsche checkbook cover. Little things. My first venture into woodworking was to replace the cheesy metal/plastic ash tray in the middle console of that beautiful red 924, with a custom, cherrytopped wooden box…for coins mostly. It was a perfect touch if I do say so myself.
I’ve always appreciated fine craftsmanship, machines that tick like a clock, and go fast. Having owned two Porsche’s (a new ’79 924 that I could barely afford, and a ’79 911 Targa a few years later), I still appreciate the marque, and the passion it engenders. To that end, I’ve begun photographing cars again, this time much more deliberately, and perhaps artfully. I hope you agree…and enjoy this new body of work, as it develops. More than just Porsche too…
A friend’s lovely 1959 Porsche 356 Convertible D. Only made one year and then went to the “B” model. A retired dentist, he drives it all the time, even though it’s not in what might be considered “pristine” shape. Lot’s of fun though, and that’s the point…
www.aerographs.com At the Vietnam Memorial…
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Another 356 at a Porsche rally last year‌ www.aerographs.com
A Porsche 918 Spyder, number 828. Used, they list for well over one million dollars.
When you see the video, you’ll understand why‌ www.aerographs.com
It’s rolling art though…
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Porsche 919 Spyder hybrid race car… www.aerographs.com
At a Caeine and Octane event this spring, here in Atlanta.
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Dashboard of the hybrid BMW i8, photographed for my portfolio. Three exposures make up this image‌ one for the overall interior, one for the screens, and one for the background. A pole was suspended horizontally across the interior, which the camera was mounted to and then controlled remotely via laptop.
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Another Caeine and Octane image, created on a Sunday morning. Exotic locations are not always required to create compelling images.
An air-cooled beauty‌definitely old school. www.aerographs.com
Thanks for reading this far, and should you have a need for commercial images, or just wish to have a private commission of your favorite ride (car, plane, whatever…), give us a call…
(404) 245-2411
or email us…
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