47th Annual Chicago Air And Water Show, Chicago, IL

[eng45ine]

Hi Everyone,

I went to the practice day for the annual air and water show. Not a cloud in the sky but very hazy, I'm sunburnt to a crisp and I shoot 2,200+ images. Here are a few that I shot. All were taken with a D2H and a Nikkor 80-400mm VR. The first image was shot into the sun...but I wanted to get Big John in the background.

The United States Air Force Thunderbirds F-16s against the John Hancock Building...

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Thanks for looking and comments/critiques are always welcome.

 

[PGB]

Frank those are great.

I logged many an hour taking off from Meigs field near Big John, on MS Flight Simulator.

The 3rd shot really is spectacular.

Thanks for sharing. I expect to see many more!!!

 

[Leigh]

The 3rd shot really is spectacular.

That was exactly what I thought when I saw the 3rd shot, Frank! Gosh, I wish we could get up there for Ryan and Ben to see that! Next year maybe??

Can't wait to see more pics like these....keep 'em coming!

 

[Gale]

Hi Frank,

Great shot on the first one.

Haze is madening for sure. That is what I had on shuttle day.

Only suggestion I have is some reverse USM on PS, start with 30 amount 60 radius and you can pull some of it out. I was just sick whit those weather conditions on that day.

Yet like you trun the other direction beautiful blue sky.

Really nice images. Look foward to the other 2000 :>)))

 

[eng45ine]

Thanks Leigh, Gale and Patrick,

The skies to the south were lousy, but the T-birds against the Hancock was something that I really wanted. I'll be processing images all night, but it's all worth it. Thanks for your kudos!!!

 

[drueter]

Wonderful series, Frank! Love those airshow shots and look forward to seeing more. I'm going to have to find one around here one of these days.

 

[greyflash]

Love these shots Frank, poster material for sure. Good job.

 

[Tomerrifc]

Hey Frank,

Way to go! I love the shot with Big John as a backdrop.

Hopeully you will get better skies tomorrow.

Boy I wish I didn't have to work tomorrow.

Have fun!

 

[F15Todd]

That 3rd shot is just great. Mountain Home AFB has it's air show next
month and the Thunder Chickens are going to perform.

This is what happened last time they came to Mt. Home AFB.

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I don't remember the name of they guy who took the picture, but he was
using Nikon equipment!!! I think it was a D1h or X and a 300mm f/2.8
shooting from the control tower.

 

[F15Todd]

This site has a copy of the in-cockpit video of the flight and ejectiong http://www.avweb.com/newswire/10_06a/briefs/186633-1.html

 

[Simon]

Frank

These are great shots - seeing / hearing jets gives me goosebumps.

So much raw power and when they control that into a well executed display, it's an awesome sight.

 

[eng45ine]

Thanks Gordon, Todd and Ty for the kudos. I had a great time and can't wait until Sunday for round 2. I'm not terribly happy with the hazy shots, but it was good practice for Sunday's show.

Thanks for the link, Todd. I can only imagine what that pilot had going through his mind when he was punching out!!! WOW!!!

 

[Steve S]

Wowwy,

Those are some awesome shots Frank! Was it really hard to track them as they whizzed by?

 

[Kevin Scott]

I like the one with the JH Bldg in the background. Did you get one with the Sears Tower in the background, too? That's my all time favorite building.

 

[eng45ine]

Hi Steve and Kevin...thanks for checking out my images. I was as close to the water as I could be without getting wet and panning to capture the jets was a bit difficult. When I go back on Sunday, I may stay back a couple hundred feet which may help pan them a bit easier.

I was pleased to capture the jets in front of the Hancock Building which made for an interesting reference. I hope tomorrow's air is better than yesterday's which was muggy and hazy.