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The Airshow; something I look forward to each year in late June. But this year brought a new twist. I had contacted the organizers to try to get additional access this year and they offered me a media pass. Delightful. But, what does it mean?

It meant I needed to submit some personal information to the government to confirm I was a decent person and they would, in return, allow me to utilize the scissor lift and access cool places. That much I gathered from my conversation with Col. Reil. Details were slim.

In fact it was not until Thursday the 24th that I received confirmation that I was on the list and I could pick my media pass up the next day at noon. This messed up my schedule a bit on Friday but not a big deal. I could still probably make a shoot in the afternoon without difficulty.

There are times to play smart and times to admit you're dumb. This was one of the latter. I would earn no respect by pretending to know my way around the media pool at the airshow, from the Guard or the photogs. My ego was the only potential casualty and as I have very little self esteem, what's to lose? (ok, I'm kidding). It always bothered me when people pretend to know what they're up to. I've found that 50:50 people are willing to help you out when you're out of your comfort zone. I wanted to pull from the years of experience around me.

Follow up:

There are times to play smart and times to play dumb. This was one of the latter. I would earn no respect by pretending to know my way around the media pool at the airshow, from the Guard or the photogs. My ego was the only potential casualty and as I have very little self esteem, what's to lose? (ok, I'm kidding). It always bothered me when people pretend to know what they're up to. I've found that 50:50 people are willing to help you out when you're out of your comfort zone.

So, I asked the Guardsman who gave me the pass basic things - "this is my first time shooting the airshow, what does the media pass mean?" Access was explained (somewhat - "don't go in restricted areas"). Oh, and they are giving a tour at noon - everyones gathering in front of building 7. A tour? Damn, I don't want to miss the tour. How long could it take I wonder... an hour? I could still make my shoot. I go back to my car, grab my interior shooting kit (longest lens ~ 75mm).

So, in my shiny black shoes and dress pants I wander over to Building 7. 20 or more photographers are in groups on the lawn. They seem to know each other - I am like a new kid at school. They are dressed like they are ready to photograph wildebeest. The sun makes me squint.

After a bit of wallflower time I pick my target and ask him what the story with this tour is - "well, the first day of any show is media day so we'll shoot some statics and they will run through the show." "Today is media day?" "Yes."

Ok, no need to panic. What the hell does it mean, media day? I call Amie and ask her to contact our client and reschedule. Our client had called me suggesting a reschedule earlier in the day - "tell her I'm going to follow her advice."

I am obviously ill prepared for shooting (clothes and lens selection), but my goal is to learn as much as possible to make the show day go smoothly. Around 1pm LTC Reil rounds us up, we are to be escorted to show center - there is no returning to this area. It is just as well that I cancelled my other shoot, this was going to take a while.

I ask another guy for information. I ask more people when they are showing up tomorrow. I talk to the Guardsmen. Everyone gives me different answers. Photog #1 (nice guy) "you want to show up before 8am." Photog #2 (not quite as friendly) "9am is when we can get in." "Not before 8am?." "You can show up then if you want, but you get in at 9am." This requires clarification. Ask the guardsman - "I'm not sure, I thought it was 10am. I'll call the Colonel.... he says 10am." 10am?! This is the public opening. But if that is the official word I'm just going to have to show up early and hope for the best. A few minutes later Col. Reil shows up. "7am. You can get in any time after 7am - I will tell the gate." The other Col. had said differently but Reil is in charge of media. I like Reil. He's the one who put me on the list in the first place.

I ask some more questions to the photogs:

q) "Where does the media pass get us that we couldn't go anyway?"
a) "If there is somebody with an M16 don't go there."
q) "How did that photographer get on the other side of the restricted line?"
a) "They know somebody. I used to be someone who knew somebody."
q) "So there is an access level beyond us?"
a) "Yeah, they are staff for one of the performers, working for the guard, or they just know somebody."

I put that little tidbit in my pocket for use at a later date. I need to get to know somebody. My friend Chris is supposed to be flying in around 4pm, but I'm crispy from the sun. I had the foresight to buy a burger and a bottle of water while waiting for the original briefing (from the family picnic happening next to building 7) so I wasn't dying. But, I was pink.

Day of the show

I've already written more than I intended so I'm going to keep show day a bit brief. Getting in around 7:15 on show day I was one of the early crew of photographers. I put my stuff in the media area and spoke with some guys in the corner nearest the ramp. They wanted take-off shots. I am indifferent to take-off pics so I stayed in the middle.

wanted to improve upon the combined arms demonstration photos I had taken a few years ago. This meant better position, better timing, and making sure the lines in the concrete in front of me worked compositionally. I wanted to make sure I had complete control of the foreground. The whole point of this exercise for me was to get control of the foreground.

Aside from one photographer mentioning photographing from a rooftop I didn't hear much in the way of creative ideas for angles. At the end of the day I think these guys do a great job but after a while I'm not sure that the photos look very different. If I had a choice I think I would be in a helicopter shooting from the other side (or from the crowd side) with a slightly elevated position and a better background. Ground level shots seem boring after a while (granted I may not represent the majority opinion on that).

So, did I take a photo flight? I didn't know I could take a photo flight. In my mind air-time costs money, so the idea of a courtesy photo flight sounded too cool to be true. Well, it is, sort of. But the downside is not the "free" part. It is the amount of time you are in the air and the amount of control you have over your shots. If I were able to grab some Larry Burrows style drama with boots and grimaces and parachutes that would be great (or planes ala Joe McNally). But, the reality is more like shooting out of a commercial airliner (or so I was informed by someone who did it). I think you have to be picky about what you go up in and watch the flight schedule to make the most of the process.

I used the scissor lift. I asked for escort to a couple of places. I tried to take advantage of the opportunities as much as possible. To be frank, I didn't see a lot of interesting opportunity. They wouldn't allow us to go anywhere near the planes that were flying. I assumed this meant the hangar too. So, where would the escort take us? No where restricted. So... what's the difference between this and shooting as a member of the public? Not a lot. There are distinct advantages, but I hope they will open up the area to more photography (or I will be given an opportunity to shoot as the "more access" photographers did). Until then, it is a matter of honing my game.

I spoke to a young woman from Harmonic Threads who had a lot more access that the average photographer (Emily Rutherford? I'm not good with names). I gather that RIAG had commissioned a book from her and her colleague. I wish I had her kind of access. I suppose it helps that they self-published a book last year of air show imagery. Something to keep in mind. It takes planning, desire, and perseverance to make something original.

Lessons learned? I like film. I need to work on my technique a bit to have less shots that are off kilter (something about my stance is giving me horizons that are askew). I would swear that I am holding the camera level, but the proof is in the pudding. I think I will rent some longer lenses next year (maybe). I will plan around the photo flight and perhaps I can go for both days this time (the sudden rescheduling of my Friday photo shoot to Sunday nixed that idea this year).

It is a lot of work for no direct payout. I should work on that too. But, for now it is about crafting images I really like.

NOTE: Scan color consistency is funky - new software - I'll deal with that later.