On my way to where?

With the holiday season all but over, and the thermometer touching 25ºC, it's time to get out on the bike for a spot of exploration. The best photographic accessory I possess - my mountain bike - has proved its worth time and time again, getting me shots I wouldn't otherwise have even seen.

Take the solar panel arrays (above). Somewhat off the beaten track near my local airport, I had no idea that there were fields of these things just waiting for the right sky; the right amount of cloud; my lens; until I made an unplanned turn on my way to nowhere in particular.


24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor. 1/320 second at f/8. Matrix metering. - 1 stop EV compensation. ISO 250. Polarising filter.



© 2016

Bournemouth Air Festival, 2016: Day 4

The last day of this year's local air show and the weather looks promising. Day 3 was more or less write-off because of the strong winds, but the organisers did manage to arrange a short, truncated, programme starting at 6pm. No mean feat, as amongst other things (availability of aircraft and people to fly them), the airspace needed to be cleared. I nipped along to see the Red Arrows perform, but due to the lack of accurate - and conflicting - information available, I left immediately afterwards... and missed the rest of what had been re-arranged.

So, the last day, and by early afternoon the sun appears in all its glory; the wind drops dramatically and high, wispy clouds create a perfect backdrop for photography... but nothing is flying. As I mentioned earlier, the local airspace has to be cleared for the displays to take place and aircraft need to be available, and no amount of ideal conditions will alter that. Schedules is schedules.

For the most part flying conditions are perfect, but roughly half way through the displays schedule the next weather front rolls in from the West, forcing the fast jets to alter their routines to accommodate the low cloud base.

There were some enjoyable moments throughout the weekend, and I am sure everybody gave their best to entertain, but the line-up of aircraft was weak. The Air Festival is being recognised internationally now, and planning for next year is already under way, but it needs a stronger pool of performers.

Maybe it's just me.



Top to bottom: Swiss Air Force Super Puma Helicopter Display Team (waving at the crowds).
                         B-25 Mitchell Bomber
                         B-17 Flying Fortress - Sally B
                         Breitling Wing Walkers
                         The RAF Red Arrows - Enid
                         Spitfire P7350 (Mk IIa). This aircraft flew in the Battle of Britain, and was used in the                
                         1969 film of the same name.
                         Eurofighter Typhoon


Lenses: 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter
               24-70mm f/2.8 AF-S Nikkor



© 2016

Bournemouth Air Festival, 2016: Day 2

The Bournemouth Air Festival was, at one time, my favourite air show - it being local. However, over the past 8 years the programme has become somewhat predictable and needs an injection of imagination. The time-proven crowd pullers are in attendance, but gaps left by iconic aircraft need plugging to keep things fresh.

It is the ninth such event along the coast of Dorset, but for the first time I venture along to the cliff tops in the evening; something that until this year just didn't pique my interest. I now wish it had. Drawn in by the fact that the Eurofighter Typhoon was set to make a second appearance of the day (always welcome), I decide to stay on for the pyrotechnics of the Night Air display, and they damn-well nearly stole the show. Featuring O'Briens Flying Circus starring Otto the Helicopter as well as Team Fireflies and Aerosparx, the neon-clad aircraft made a stunning display in the dusk sky.

The weather is playing its part, as always, and flying was put back an hour today to allow a storm front to pass, but tomorrow (Saturday), unseasonably strong winds of up to 45 mph are expected to prevent flying of any value.

More images from day two can be viewed by clicking on the Gallery tab near the top of this page.


Top to bottom:
                        The Red Arrows making their entrance (wide angle lens).
                        The Red Arrows - smoke on
                        Eurofighter Typhoon
                        One of the four aircraft of The Blades
                        Team Fireflies

Lens: 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor with TC-14EII converter. Tripod and gimballed head

© 2016

Herne Bay Air Show, 2016

My first airshow of the year and as far as I'm concerned, the start of my photographic season. The Herne Bay display is a compact affair, but is notable for the continuity of the programme. As one presentation finishes the next is waiting in the wings to move in; something that my local airshow would do well to take note of.

There are the usual suspects displaying, of course; the RAF Red Arrows being the biggest crowd puller, but also one or two less-know acts. The WW1 Display team (bottom two images) comprised seven replica aircraft from both sides, recreating dog fight drama in the skies.

Additional images from the day's events can be found by clicking on the Gallery tab below the header of this blog.


From top to bottom:   The Tigers Parachute Display Team
                                    Mig 15
                                    The Battle of Britain Memorial Flypast
                                    Avro Lancaster
                                    Autogyro
                                    Royal Aircraft Factory BE-2
                                    Fokker DR1 Triplane



Lens: Nikkor 300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR with TC-14EII converter. Tripod and gimballed head.



© 2016

Waxing in the twilight, and the local fireworks display

I missed the first of the season's fireworks display last week, being otherwise engaged, but tonight the calendar - and skies - were clear. Not wishing to get caught up in the crowds that line the seafront on such evenings, I opt to shoot the event from 2.7 miles away, with a long lens

300mm f/2.8 AF-S VR Nikkor.
Crescent moon: 1/30 second at f/2.8
Fireworks: Bulb setting. f/8
ISO 160. Tripod and remote release.

© 2016