Empty Seats and Dreams of Flight
Next week is a return to China with Tongli, Venice of the East. Today however we conclude our look at aviation art with my picks of the litter.
Back in History
Once again you’ll notice that I’m making extensive use of my Rule of Implied Recognition. However there are exceptions. If you can make use of color while at the same time providing context to the entire aircraft then, by all means, compose away. Just remember to make use of the Rule of Thirds and keep your subject out of the center while making use of negative space.
The Sky Above
Vintage and Black & White seem to go hand-in-hand whether the subject is antique cars or obsolete aircraft. If color distracts, take it out. Just remember to filter for interest. In Black & White Photography — It’s All in the Color! and Black & White Filtering After the Picture is Taken I tried to convey how important it is to filter for color before converting to black and white. For instance, the image below is filtered for red to darken the blue of the sky, thus enhancing the white of the clouds.
Corsair Cockpit
I also chose to impart a dreamlike sense with some photographs while maintaining color. Take for instance this 1938 Waco ZGC-8, one of only four ever built:
Waco Radial
And this F4U Corsair of Colonel Gregory “Pappy” Boyington and VMA-214 Black Sheep Squadron fame:
Corsair in Blue
In this next shot I used a combination of vignetting and edge blurring to accomplish a similar effect:
Waiting for Flight
In another shot I decided to boost color while adding a bit of whimsy with the title for a cartoon-like effect:
Kruggerand
In yet another shot the aircraft plays a secondary role to its shadow upon the ramp:
Thunderstreak Shadow
Then there’s that incredible Tupolev TU-2 on the ramp at the War Eagles Air Museum. There are just so many interesting details on this old warbird. Here I present “Office with a View:”
Office with a View
This view of the TU-2 just isn’t the same in color, once again filtered for red to darken the sky and highlight the clouds:
Tupolev Study in Black & White
And one final shot for the day. Initially I went with edge blurring but in comparison the sharpness won out with this particular composition.
Silent Blades
Have a favorite of any from this week? I’d love to hear what it is.
Decisions — Murder in Paradise
The Globe — Murder in Luxury
R. Doug Wicker — Author 