The Older the Boys.., a photo from North Yorkshire, England

Photographer's Note

.. the bigger their toys.

Those who may be familiar with my posts, will know clouds and aircraft are quite an enthusiasm of mine.

These combined spectacularly at Whitby Regatta this last weekend, when the Red Arrows made an appearance on what was almost too cloudy an occasion for their display.

As it was they had to reduce the aerobatics they were able to perform, but luckily found space enough for this dramatic move where the singleton approaches the five oncoming aircraft head on and then rises up vertically through their smoke. They cross in what seems like certain suicide, only feet apart. The commentator did mention their name for this manouevre, but it eacapes me.

The Red Arrows are nine front line pilots in the RAF, usually on a three year stint with the team. This current group includes their first female member. At all UK airshows, no display flights are allowed to fly over the onlooking crowd, except this one team. They start their display by approaching the crowd from behind, flying over their heads at what seems like zero feet, thus making a very dramatic entrance.

If you have not seen them at least once, it is worth an effort to do so. Once you have seen them, the other occasions somehow follow automatically !

PS I have posted a large version, but cropped as it is to a third of the original, the TE restrictions then really render it useless, but I include it for those interested. It does show one or two dirt spots, otherwise invisible !

PPS The horizon is just visible at the very bottom of the picture, so you can see a lot of their flying is done at very low level.

annjackman, tyro, delpeoples, SnapRJW, macjake, i9l2y1m8a8t3 trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

batalay (41261) 2011-08-18 14:50

Hello Martin,

What a dramatic book mark you've created in this shot of the Red Arrows. The cloudy skies add to the drama of the formation. Your note explains the configurations effectively. My first impression in seeing the image was whether you were also in the air.

Warm regards,
Bulent

fotoguy22 (4795) 2011-08-18 18:37

I love extremes. Great job of cropping....or is it a vertical panorama? The clouds are a good background for the colored smoke, especially from the jet going straight up.

Greetings from Florida on a humid night.........Greg

emka (158860) 2011-08-18 19:43

Hi Martin, Interesting photo. The toys are really big. I saw similar Air Show when I was in Brighton in 1978. I would be very nervous to see them so close to the ground afraid that some accident happen. It was the case in Polish shows, and not once. I like this view with small planes and a big smokes.

Warm regards

Malgo

annjackman (23019) 2011-08-18 22:57

Hello Martin,
The Red Arrows are always spectacular - they should be at Dunsfold in a couple of weeks (an airshow close to us). I like the long vertical format that you have chosen as it makes a picture very different to the classic views that most people take. The coloured smoke and the cloudy background work well but I do like the bits of blue sky coming through as it adds some extra colour and brightness. Excellent capture of these fabulous planes.
Best wishes, Ann

tyro (30513) 2011-08-19 0:04

Hello Martin,

The vertical format ("bookmark") has worked extremely well here and provided for a fine composition. The cluster of five 'planes and their smoke at the bottom is, I suppose, the main centre of interest but the tiny lone 'plane and its long multicoloured trail disappearing high up into the distant heights really anchors the composition superbly.

The cloudy sky might not have been ideal for flying but it has been a boon to the photographer. Lovely colours, perfect exposure (difficult in such situations) and excellent sharpness.

A Beauty!

Kind Regards,

John.

P.S. I agree that the "vertical panorama" is a fine technical exercise but it probably does not contribute very much. Dirt spots I don't see, but that's probably due to my failing eyes!

SnapRJW (31631) 2011-08-19 0:21

Hello Martin - The narrow, vertical format is a perfect choice for this fine composition. You captured the action at a perfect moment and the frame is nicely balanced with the one plane ascending into the void as it breaks away from the others. Well managed exposure and super colours. best regards rosemary

delpeoples (60342) 2011-08-19 2:09

Gidday Martin

Eh, well boys toys is right. I'd choose the Toy you're shooting this with any day. Fantastic shot though, it seems three-dimensional. The bookmark framing accentuates the vertical nature of the subject and of course the depth. Wow, what a shot. But you couldn't pay me enough money to stand under something like that...I've seen what happens on Worlds Worst Accidents!

Enjoy your weekend, the rain's set in here, so couch and vino the order of the day rather than nightshots or clubbing :)

Regards to the Crew
Lisa

gus72 (3719) 2011-08-19 19:46

Hi Martin !!
what a great composition with the single plane going up in a tangent..... but generating interest from bottom to top.
very vibrant colours
Rally a nice capture
Gus

macjake (98544) 2011-08-19 20:18

Hi Martin
great photo.
the key here is that one plane that has soared to greater heights. it takes the viewers eye way up the frame. and that way we can actually feel the long height of the composition.
well done!
cheers
craig

corjan3 (2109) 2011-08-21 2:15

Hello Martin,
This one jumped out from thumbnail. Great action captured at exactly the right moment against the dramatic sky. Well done and best wishes.
Neels

ravinmb (1303) 2011-08-22 22:57

Hi Martin,

A great shot and a well composed image. I like the colors and the aircraft you included on the top.

TFS & have a nice day.
Ravin

i9l2y1m8a8t3 (4814) 2012-01-30 18:18

Hi Martin!

The loooong vertical format is fantastic! Great work on this one! This shot is a stunner! Bravo!

best regards,
Matt