This month readers submitted high-flying aviation images
1. Mission Over BY STEVE JAMES
This grounded Blackburn Buccaneer was photographed during sunset. To combat the high contrast, multiple photos at varying exposures were blended together to create a detail-rich, high-dynamic-range image. The lighting and composition make this a great shot, but the addition of the pilot climbing out of the cockpit elevates it into something truly special.
2. Into Formation BY JOSH LOMEN PHOTOGRAPHY
This magnificent mono image of the Red Arrows is proof that aviation photos don’t always have to be close-ups. This wider composition conveys the enormity of the aerobatic team’s white smoke trails, which pop against the brooding sky. It makes fantastic use of negative space, and despite their diminutive size within the frame, strong silhouettes clearly define each Hawk aircraft.
3. Chocks Away! BY MJW
This portrait of a pilot in the cockpit of a Hawker Hurricane is pin-sharp from front to back, thanks to the narrow f/13 aperture. The black-and-white conversion complements the World War II fighter’s historic status and definition in the clouds helps prevent a boring, flat background. The propeller blur adds to the narrative, suggesting the aircraft is preparing to taxi onto the runway.
4. Cloudburst BY JOHAN15
This F/A-18 Super Hornet belongs to the Blue Angels – the renowned US Navy flight demonstration squadron. Not only is this a superbly sharp example of a jet in flight, but it’s been captured the moment water vapour has formed on the wings. It can be difficult to convey movement when photographing a jet, since there’s no propeller, but the whooshing vapour helps to conveys a strong sense of speed.
5. What Goes Up, Must Come Down… BY DARRELL GODLIMAN
This image of the Red Arrows is beautifully composed. The trails of blue and white smoke lead the eye towards the clearly defined silhouettes of the seven Hawks. A super-fast shutter speed of 1/2500 sec has frozen both the aircraft and billowing plumes of smoke.
6. F-16 Pilot BY BARRY S
This striking portrait of a pilot sitting in the cockpit of an F-16 was captured at an air show in California. It’s beautifully lit and, with minimal glare on the glass, you can clearly see through the canopy.
7. Dark Angel BY MARCIN ‘MORI’ BOGUCKI
This Swiss Air Force Super Puma was captured as it fired a barrage of flares. It’s incredibly sharp for an image captured at 1/125 sec, with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 262mm.
8. Pilot & Lancaster BY APIARY
This image of an Avro Lancaster is dripping with atmosphere. The lone crew member emphasizes the immense size of this WWII bomber.
9. The Landing BY ROBERTO PAZZI
This stunning shot was captured in an Airbus A340-600 on its final approach to Tehran’s international airport. The lights within the cockpit and the city beyond immediately draw the viewer’s eye – we’d argue this image wouldn’t have proven nearly as effective during the day.
10. Thunderbolt BY JEAN PAUL ROMANI
This image of a P-47 Thunderbolt is a classic in-flight photograph of an aircraft. Crucially, the 1/200 sec shutter speed was slow enough to blur the propeller and convey a sense of movement. A touch of golden light completes this fantastic image of a classic American fighter.