Photographer's Note
Our own Canadian "Snowbirds" are seen here demonstrating one of their amazing flying formations over the harbour in Nanaimo, British Columbia recently.
The Snowbirds Demonstration Team (431 Squadron) is a Canadian icon comprised of serving members of the Canadian Forces. Their pilots and technicians work as a team to bring thrilling performances to the North American public. Serving as Canadian ambassadors, the Snowbirds demonstrate the high level of professionalism, teamwork, excellence, discipline and dedication inherent in the women and men of the Air Force and the Canadian Forces.The Snowbirds are a Canadian national icon, a symbol of pride and unity for all Canadians.
The Snowbirds have flown the CT-114 Tutor jet since 1971. The aircraft was designed and built in Canada and was used by the Canadian Forces as its basic pilot training aircraft until 2000.
The jets are painted in a distinctive red and white paint scheme symbolic of Canada's national flag. As members of the nation's military, the Snowbirds are proud to fly Canada's colours across North America.
The Snowbirds are very confident flying the Tutor. It is safe and performs extremely well as a demonstration aircraft.
Photographing these demonstrations was an interesting challenge. My Nikon D80 had difficulty focusing fast enough and holding focus long enough to be effective, so I chose to auto-focus to a distant point believed to be in the range of the action, then switched the camera to manual focus. This allowed me to capture most images in relative sharpness as seen in this image.
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Critiques | Translate
Bergenphotos
(3326) 2009-08-18 7:29
Hi, Gerald!
It's really a nice composition with strong colors. The "warm" red planes is in a great contrast to the "cold" blue sky, and I like the lines of smoke coming from the bottom right corner. The planes easily catces my attention. The sharpness is very well done, ad as you say it's very difficult to focus in that speed.
Fredrik
feather
(51130) 2009-08-18 8:15
We have a similar display team called the Red Arrows. I've never tried to take anything like this but I can well imagine the difficulties. Well done for this framing where the central composition actually works well, so you have space for the planes to fly into, and also are able to show the trails.
Kath
Nicou
(193806) 2009-08-18 8:23
Hello,
Fantastique cpatage de cette patrouille, le captage est parfait au bon moment avec le fumigθne dan sun ciel pur et limpide, grandiose.
bravoe t amitiι
Nicou
baba_flies
(8829) 2009-08-18 10:29
Hello Gerald! I actually have to run but it is a fast picture :)) so I might as well break records too. Love it, so well presented with the tasteful red frame that goes so well with the red paint of the aircrafts. We have the Patrouille Suisse, also RED like your version. Fantastic pilots, I guess you need some extra brain when you do these things. Your presentation is really cool, love how they move in from one corner and that you left some empty blue on the side. Very very good, this is not easy, tried it myself with soso lala results. Have a great day ... Barbara.
eversmile
(11636) 2009-08-18 11:29
Hi Gerald
A great way to frame the scene, a strong contrast of colors, a lot of dynamic with the diagonal lines of the smokes, and a remarkable sharpness; that's what attracts me here. I like it like that, but I just tried to make another version, for the fun. I hope you'll like it.
Regards
Marine
PS: Oh, you do not allow WS?!
jplebrun
(21208) 2009-08-18 16:25
Hi Gerald
superbe clichι de ces avions en formation acrobatique dans ce beau ciel bleu, belle prιsentation.
Amitiιs
Jean-Pierre
ChrisJ
(159954) 2009-08-18 18:48
Hello Gerald
Wonderful reptition of the 'in formation' red aircraft, that contrast well, against the blue sky. Good sharpness & framing. Tfs!
Dyerco
(10185) 2009-08-18 20:44
Hi Gerald
I thought the sky looked to blue for this to be the Abbotsford Air Show this year. Nicely done. The red and white stand out well against the blue and the diagonal line helps create a sense of movement.
Phil
dareco
(17136) 2009-08-18 22:21
I always tease my kids that in a past life I was a snowbird!! I LOVE these guys!!! In fact, I get excited just looking at the picture. Excellent detail and a perfect blue sky! TFS
danyy
(0) 2009-08-18 22:44
Bonjour Gerald,
une photo bien redιcoupιre en post processing pour obtenir le meilleur cadrage qui plus est dynamique. Bel esffet de couleurs avec ces bleus, rouges et blancs, un encadrement soignι qui encadre bien la scθne.
My best regards.
Daniel.
danos
(110407) 2009-08-18 23:18
Hi Gerald,
very nice presentation of the Canadian "Snowbirds" in a perfect formation.I like the red colours which are painted as the great contrast that is created with the blue of the sky.Informative your note too.Well done.
Regards,Danos
belido
(19934) 2009-08-19 4:28
Hi Gerald,
great photography. I never had the chance and I don't know if I would do a good job as you well show to us. The timing and framing are perfect and the focus where it should be. Very well done!
Regards,
Carlos
jemaflor
(135344) 2009-08-19 10:45
Hi Gerald,
Well framed, good dynamic effect, perfect sharpness and colors, well made.
chpp
(4283) 2009-08-19 13:06
hi Gerald
very nice shot, sharp, colourful and well framed
I never had the chance to see this show
but it looks great
TFS
C
cherryripe
(21033) 2009-08-19 13:12
Hi Gerald
This shot is very well taken with excellent timing and sharpness. The colours stand out so well against the sky too. Well composed with the smoke trails leading out from the corner.
Regards
Nikki
Waylim
(25436) 2009-08-19 18:50
Hi Gerald,
From the thumb nail I thought they were flamingoes, except the jet smoke gives it away. Very Canadian with the red and white, and the white stripe again the blue sky is perfect, adds a few stars and it's the U.S. :) Great shot, good sharpness and clarity. Thanks.
Way
PixelTerror
(0) 2009-08-19 22:16
hi Gerald
The colors would be fitting for Switzerland too, nice formation, if you add the sky you get the colors of the french flag as well !
Have a nice day JY
Cricri
(176) 2009-08-20 10:40
Hi Gerald
Magnifique prise, le cadrage et les dιtails parfait, avec un trθs joli contraste des couleurs, superbe image
Friendship
cricri
BelCan75
(2201) 2009-08-20 16:07
Hello Gerald,
You have captuer and amazing moment. The light on the planes is perfect, no movement and the colours are amazing. Great composition with good contrast and details. Great work and I really like this photo very much!
Greetings,
Ann
PJE
(20758) 2009-08-20 18:52
I see you waited until the end of the air show for this shot Gerald. Very nice work in composing a balance in this frame as these snowbirds cut across the sky. The red jets in the blue sky and smoke make for an attractive shot. Good work Gerald.
Bluejeans
(64251) 2009-08-21 5:32
Ola Gerald,
Bela captura os detalhes e definiηγo dos aviυes esta magnifica fazem um belo contraste com o cιu , gostei da sensaηγo de movimento , parabιns!!
Um abraηo Gonηalo
Bom fim de semana
hay_kes
(31439) 2009-08-21 11:11
Hi Gerald,
What a stunning action shot.Great moment and nice colours.TFS.
Cheers,
hAyAti
gunbud
(34066) 2009-08-21 18:05
Hi Gerald,
Marvelous clear colors and sharp details to this wonderful air show.
Love how the red jets stand out against the vivid blue sky and contrast white exhaust.
Regards, Tom
gildasjan
(43826) 2009-08-22 2:25
Bonjour Gιrald
Belle formation sur ce ciel bleu et l'image ne soffre pas d'un dιfaut de nettetι.
Bonne journιe
Amicalement
gildas
Fis2
(155547) 2009-08-22 11:51
Witaj Gerald!
Your photo is interesting.
Curious moment.
Good frame and super light and colors.
Very impressive picture!
Greetings from Poland.
Krzysztof
jhm
(202915) 2009-08-23 5:07
Hello Gerald,
A great way to frame the scene, a strong contrast of colors, a lot of dynamic with the diagonal lines of the smokes.
Sharpness and clarity are wonderful.
Composition and presentation are superb. TFS.
Have a nice sunday,
John.
robertosalguero
(292) 2009-08-23 23:32
Hello Gerald,
I heard the Snowbirds are having problems maintaining their planes. Hopefully they will stay on the air for years to come. This image is very nice. It make want to see them with my own eyes. Good colours and details. You did very well to keep perfect focus on the fast planes. Thanks Gerald :-)
Roberto
Cretense
(68709) 2009-08-24 4:52
Hi Gerald!
Fantastic photo, beautiful and impressive "ballet" in the air! Great framing and composition, flawless light managment, brilliant colours! Congratulations!
Hercules
MarianneS
(15338) 2009-08-31 11:54
Hi Gerald,
Great shot! You captured these Snowbirds and framed them perfectly.
Very well done!
Marianne
leo61
(0) 2009-09-20 12:18
HI Gerald!
Great shot of this artistic formation.
The exposure is perfect and the contrast with the sky amazing.
Regards,Leo
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Gerald Neufeld (gneufeld)
(15890)
- Genre: Τοποθεσίες
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2009-08-12
- Categories: Τελετή, Μετακίνηση
- Camera: Nikon D80 DSLR, Nikkor 18-200 VR, AF-S, Nikon Circular Polarizer II
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση, Workshop
- Date Submitted: 2009-08-18 7:20
Discussions
- To eversmile: Workshop (5)
by gneufeld, last updated 2009-08-18 02:29