On The Way Back
On the way back from a very fun Kingman AirFest Saturday in a World War II C-47. I had never stopped moving since 7am this morning. And this actually wasn’t a down time either; I was texting the Palm Springs Air Museum crew about our updated arrival time.
Journey To Royal Screening
Please join us at the Palm Springs Air Museum for an exciting Workprint Test Screening of the World War II docudrama, JOURNEY TO ROYAL followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers, on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 1:00pm to 3:30pm.
The film tells the extraordinary true story of Lt. Royal Stratton and the 4th Emergency Rescue Squadron who, over the seas on an embattled South Pacific, flew over 800 rescue missions to save the lives of 576 men.
Over the last decade, the filmmakers have traveled the world locating and interviewing the surviving members of the Squadron, as well as other WWII veterans, who share their firsthand accounts of some of the most pivotal and consequential events of that War. Their goal is to preserve the values of, and celebrate the contributions made by, the Greatest Generation.
Producer Mariana Tosca and writer-director Chris Johnson will be doing a Q&A after the screening for anyone interested in giving audience feedback or learning more about the making of the movie. Thank You!
BMW & B-17 I Have Flown In Both!
A BMW from the BMW Performance Center and the World War II B-17 Flying Fortress “Sentimental Journey” at the Palm Springs Air Museum. I have flown in the B-17 and driven the BMW on the Performance Center race track!
They were both here at the Palm Springs Air Museum during the LuLu’s Catering, Events and Restaurant season opening reception to benefit the Boy’s & Girl’s Club of Palm Springs. It was truly a tremendous event!
National No Bra Day
Art Patron – The Magazine
I now have copies of Art Patron Magazine where myself and my two photography excursion buddies are featured. A multiple page story with my photograph from the interior of the Amargosa Opera House in Death Valley as the opening spread. Thanks!
Art Patron Magazine promotes the arts, artists, and cultural tourism in Laguna Beach and Palm Springs and reaches 100,000 readers each issue. Available in art galleries, museums and magazine stands. Read this issue online at http://bit.ly/31xlUPs
“Bringing the Past into the Present”
“Three Contemporary Photographers”
… a collaboration of Palm Springs-based photographers Dennis Johnson, Hunter Johnson and Ian L. Sitren, represents a contemporary approach to capturing the allure of the desert environment and the remnants of days gone by. The three are following in the footsteps of such illustrious predecessors as Edward Weston, Ansel Adams, Edward Curtis and master of railroad photography Richard Steinheimer.
Ian, the catalyst for the start of the collaboration in 2014, was scouting locations for bodybuilding and model shoots at the Salton Sea and invited Dennis to tag along. Both men, it seems, had been taking photographs around California from the Mexican border to Joshua Tree National Park. Hunter joined when he realized that he, too, shared their interest in exploring the unusual and extraordinary out-of-the way places in the Mojave Desert and beyond—up and down Highway 66, around the Salton Sea and into Death Valley.
- Art Patron Magazine – Summer 2019
- Story by Barbara Gothard
Fitness Marketing
We take it as common place seeing neck lanyards with company names at events and conventions etc. But that was certainly not the case 15 years ago at bodybuilding and fitness events. At one of the major amateur bodybuilding competitions, thousands of attendees, competitors and guests all had their passes on plain black lanyards. I said to Bodybuilding.com, let’s make lanyards and give them free to all of the bodybuilding and fitness event producers around the country, even around the world. Within the next few months and going forward, hundreds of thousands of people at these events became individual billboards for Bodybuilding.com.
Cobra Helicopter
Much fun this weekend with the Cobra attack helicopter flying riders at the Palm Springs Air Museum. From the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. And yes I have flown in it too. An outstanding experience!
T-Shirts T-Shirts T-Shirts
USAF Thunderbirds At Reno
Just over a week ago at the Reno Air Races. The United States Air Force Thunderbirds brought incredible excitement and aerial precision. Daily their lengthy demonstrations roared over the crowd demanding unwavering attention. Although I shot plenty of photographs, sometimes I would just watch in awe. It was simply breathtaking!
Mustang Around The Pylons At Reno
Some more from the Reno Air Races just over a week ago. The Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny” from start up to shut down around the pylons. GoPro video with some really great light makes it seem like you are right in the cockpit. That is me int he black t-shirt doing the start-up and sending it out. I do more than just photography although you can see my camera having on my back. It is a Fujifilm X-T3 and 100-400mm lens. One of the reasons I avoid carrying a lot of gear, too much going on.
Around The Pylons In A P-63
Another installment from only a week ago with the crew of the Palm Springs Air Museum at the Reno Air Races. This is really special… the aircraft is the World War II P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly”. There are perhaps four Kingcobras still flying. No passengers are allowed in aircraft during racing but this is a single seat aircraft anyway. I do get to fly and photograph from many other aircraft.
So this was a place for GoPro. Mounted to the side of the pilot’s flight helmet, you get a perspective of his line of sight from instruments to outside flying past the pylons. It really is just like being there. Turn up your sound too!
I Was At The Reno Air Races
I have been absent here while I was at the Reno Air Races, doing most of my blogging on some of my own social media but mostly for the Palm Springs Air Museum, where I am also social media manager and photographer. I also work in flight operations and do get to fly in some very special aircraft.
So backing up some and working my way forward, I departed to the Reno Air Races on September 6th in a World War II P-51 Mustang “Lady Alice” as a flight of two with another P-51 “Wee Willy”. No question this was a pretty exciting way of getting places. Arrived in Reno 90 minutes later.
The National Championship Air Races in Reno is the most prestigious race in the fastest motorsport in the world. And this is the 3rd year I have been a crew member and photographer with the Palm Springs Air Museum race team.
Keep coming back for more posts from Reno. Thanks!
Memorial Service For A Great Man
The Memorial Service at the Palm Springs Air Museum for a great man, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Robert Friend. I am so very honored to have been part of planning, the flight operations, photographer, writing the story; and even more so, knowing him.
Personal big Thank You to the people who I reached out to help on the photography side things. It was too much and too important for just one person. Thank You to Rick Rowell and Ian Glover. And a huge Thank You to Scott Plummer and Lisa Plummer for their incredible video coverage and photography. Truly Thank You!
A Favorite Cover
I have had my share of covers; but this one always remains one of my very favorites. Maybe because of the back story about how it landed the cover and a multi-page feature just before deadline. With my longtime friend, bodybuilder Robert Hatch.
Want to shoot with me or have a photo or ad assignment? Send me a note and Thanks! Ian@SecondFocus.com
Over 9,000
Thank You “Chatting With Sherri” on BlogTalkRadio. Just found out we had over 9,000 live listeners. I always knew my photos look best on radio! It will be fun to see how many replays there are over the next few weeks. Thanks! Here is the link if you want to check it out… http://tobtr.com/11455871
I Flew In The Cobra!
This was a first for me. At the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow earlier this month I had the opportunity to fly in the front seat of this Vietnam War era Cobra Gunship. Wow I must say! Things that surprised me… much smoother than I expected, really comfortable seating with lots of room, and great air-conditioning! And yes I got some flying time too!
This was the Cobra as it landed at Camarillo after I arrived in the C-47 “What’s Up Doc?” from the Palm Springs Air Museum. Just grabbed my iPhone just in time.
You can also fly in the Cobra. It will be at the Palm Springs Air Museum on September 28th & 29th (2019). Check it out on the Air Museum Facebook Events page or call the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation directly for more information and to make a reservation. This will book up really fast for sure. So do it now! Have Fun! I will be there too. Thanks! Call 480-217-1635.
I Never Thought I Would
A feature I never thought I would use but now I have and I love it! Wirelessly transferring photos from my Fujifilm X-Series cameras to my iPhone or iPad.
At the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow with the Palm Springs Air Museum. I am the Museum photographer and also Social Media Manager. Shooting the show opening USAF skydiving with my X-T3 and 100-400 lens, I knew I had beautiful shots but how to get one up on Social Media on the spot.
I had already paired my X-T3 with my iPhone using the Fujifilm Cam Remote app. I selected one of the photos and instantly transferred it to my phone. It was beautiful as shot. Within moments I had it on the Air Museum Instagram where it was an instant hit. Another Fujifilm X-Series feature that has made my life easier.
This is the exact photo, except I did add my logo in Photoshop for display here. However no other editing.
Lousy Marketing Start
I cannot imagine how someone spends the money to buy an operating business like this and then throws it all in dumper with worse than an amateur marketing start. The e-mail I received and my reply. Although I guess it worked; it says they were hoping to hear from me soon, and they did.
The MiG-17 and the Fujifilm X-T3
I just returned from the weekend at the “Wings Over Camarillo” airshow. Making for huge crowd excitement was my friend, pilot Jason Somes in his newly acquired MiG-17. Going past the crowd, down on the deck, at speeds I will only confirm were below the sound barrier.
A great test for any camera, photographers were kind of just giving up in frustration trying to get the MiG in the frame at that speed so close and getting a sharp photograph. Well my Fujifilm X-T3 with the Fujifilm 100-400mm F4.5-5.6R LM OIS WR lens did the job.
Instant Printer
Have you seen the Instax instant printer from Fujifilm? Very cool! Print directly from your phone or Fujifilm camera. Check it out here… https://instax.com/share/
I Am An Artist
I am an artist! Well I am in the latest issue of Art Patron magazine anyway. Along with my two buddies, Dennis Johnson and Hunter Johnson. (No they are not related)
A two page story with our photographs and art works from our photo excursions. Very Fun! The magazine is distributed in galleries and museums. Take a look at the full magazine here in the online edition… http://bit.ly/31xlUPs
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