SAM 44
That is Special Air Mission 44 carrying President Obama. Until a few hours before the designation would have been Air Force One. On Friday, I waited in the rain just South of the runway for the arrival. I have been there before photographing Air Force One but always in bright sunny weather. Visibility was very limited but I knew it was coming in from listening to the control tower.
I heard it first, but coming from the wrong direction, behind me and not where I would have usually seen it. Just appearing as a ghost out of the clouds, that giant 747 had added power and was turning East away from lining up on runway 31 left. I fired away with my camera as it again disappeared into the dark clouds.
SAM 44 headed back up to higher altitude to await possible better weather, I lost track of how much time elapsed, maybe an hour. From the conversation with the control tower I knew it was coming back on final approach. From my vantage point the weather conditions looked even worse. Then I saw that ghostly apparition, slightly visible in the dark clouds and rain, go around again as I fired away with my camera.
Did 20 minutes go by or maybe 30 when I heard the pilot advise the tower that they were deciding on diverting to another airport. Another 10 minutes and the pilot advised that they were diverting to March Air Reserve Base and requesting clearance to 10,000 ft. Not long after that, requesting clearance to 17,000 ft and then on the way to March.
I must say I find the photographs I shot really interesting, and as one person said, very historical. Within 90 minutes I had them online with Zuma Press, one of the largest photo press agencies in the world. All in all, I am going to remember this for a long time to come. Thanks!
SEX
SEX… There I said it. The gorgeous Aristodeme is reading it. Many photographs to see in it too. “SEX” conceived and featuring Madonna was released in 1992. Photographs and writings of pornography, simulations of all kinds of sexual acts, sadomasochism, raunchy and very erotic.
At the time, critics said it went way too far. But ultimately it was a defining moment for Madonna, her creativity, and as a champion for women’s sexuality and equality. It sold 150,000 copies on the first day of it’s release. “SEX” is perhaps the most sought after out of print book ever released.
My photo shoot with Aristodeme on a Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting.
Rude
Don’t you just hate it when people leave their car blocking the pumps when they go to the restroom. From a Death Valley excursion, photographed with a Hasselblad digital camera.
Don’t Tell Her
I am keeping this a secret. I think my buddy Maria Bertrand is one of the most incredibly gorgeous women I have ever known. As many times I have seen her in front of my cameras I have never been left with anything but without words. Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system. The dress is Guess by Marciano. Off Mulholland Drive above Beverly Hills.
Looking At Her Looking At You
Look away, no you just can’t. Even when you do, you still see her looking at you. This gorgeous woman, Amber Flowers in our photo shoot. She also created her makeup, hair and wardrobe styling. One incredibly talented and beautiful individual.
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Mutual
Wandered Photo L.A. yesterday with my buddy Gabriella Muttone. Not only do we have the commonality of me loving her in front of my cameras; she is an extraordinary photographer herself who loves much of the same photography that I do. It was also fun thinking that people were staring at me, when of course they were gaze locked on her! Me too lol
P-40 Warhawk
Yes this is the plane that you would recognize as having been flown by the famed Flying Tigers. Two P-40’s shot down attacking Japanese aircraft at Pearl Harbor.
If you were at the Palm Springs Air Museum yesterday, you saw this P-40 chase a Japanese VAL Dive Bomber just barely over ground level. Wow!
Attack At Dawn
A special program today at the Palm Springs Air Museum. You will be seeing the aircraft of Pearl Harbor flying overhead.
Starting with a presentation by the internationally recognized historian, researcher and author, Dr. Ed Gordon, “Japan Strikes At Dawn: Defeat at Pearl Harbor, the Philippines and Singapore.” at 1:00 PM.
Right now there are also other very special exhibits at the Museum, including artworks from World War II and the Holocaust; original and rarely seen restored prints of the original flights of the Wright Brothers.
If you have not done so, it is time to visit the living and flying history at the Palm Springs Air Museum. I will be there with my cameras for sure!
The Most Beautiful Fit
Photo shoots with the most beautiful fit women on the planet. I do that! The incredibly magnificent Ava Cowan.
Photo L.A.
Thanks! Lots of people asking. I will be at Photo LA on Sunday. Would love to say HI if you are planning on being there. Send me an e-mail to Ian@SecondFocus.com and Thanks! http://www.photola.com
Sky Chief
Exploring and photographing around Death Valley. A Sky Chief gas pump, a premium fuel invented as high octane and introduced by Texaco in 1938.
Here in Keeler on the East shore of what was the great Owens Lake. Population in 2010 was 66. Back in the 1870’s a steamship carried ore across the lake which today is non-existent. In the 1920’s The City of Los Angeles bled the lake of it’s water leaving behind alkali dust storms driving away the people and their lives.
So Much To See
A three day trip planned around specific places that were on my must see list. The Amargosa Opera House at Death Valley Junction. The created home and stage of ballet dancer, Marta Becket. Now 92 years old and once upon a time, her only audience was that which she herself painted upon the walls. Today also a hotel and cafe, an experience I wanted to see first hand and will now never forget. I will go back yet again.
The Comforts Of Home
Just did a three day road trip exploring the wonders of nature. So nice to find all the comforts of home in the middle of nowhere. Too fun! Actually I have one friend who was not there who I expect will know exactly where this is. What do you think? Anyone else?
Beautiful Fit Action!
Stacey Naito one of the most extraordinary women I have ever had in front of my camera. She brought her authentic Japanese Katana to the photo shoot. The sharpness, quality, curved, powerful and distinctive beauty of the sword is readily matched by that of Stacey herself. Thank You to Blanche LeBeau for her art of makeup and hair styling.
Bring A Friend
Sometimes the incredible, gorgeous and fit women I photograph bring a friend along on their photo shoots. One of the most wonderfully talented and creative women I have ever worked with, Victoria Kirsanova.
Makeup and Hair Styling by another incredible woman, Natalie Lyle
Reminder
I am known for photographing some of the most incredibly magnificent women on the planet. Sasha Brown is in that category many times over!
Just In Case
In case you forgot, one of my specialties is photographing incredibly gorgeous fit women. Way at the top of the list is the incredibly gorgeous and fit Sherry Goggin.
New Year Motivation
A selfie from my buddy Tani Correia. Tani had made it into the world of fitness being featured in the magazines and pretty well known. But as she has self confessed along the way, she had a difficult time maintaining her condition. Not long ago Tani told me that she was going to make her way back. Actually I am not really sure how much time elapsed, I just know she sure did it! What a rockin’ body!
So for the first day of 2017, Tani is the motivation that many of us need. By the way, Tani told me many times that one of her motivations was to come do a photo shoot with me. I love that!
Space Travel Not Required
Found a new photo shoot location on a recent photo excursion. And no space travel required. I can see you posing in front of that landscape now! The question is… Who is you? Send me an e-mail to Ian@SecondFocus.com. Thanks!
Oil Can!
I kept waiting for him to ask if I had an oil can. Didn’t, so I shot a photo and went to lunch.
Rock Star!
From my friend Brooks Wachtel…
I received an amazing holiday gift the day after Christmas thanks to Ian L. Sitren who arranged for me to meet Fred Bell, the director of the Palm Springs Air Museum. It’s not often a writer gets rock-star treatment, but that’s what the Museum staff – all fans of DogFights – gave me.
I found, to my delight, that the museum even run segments of the series on monitors in front of some of their display aircraft to illustrate the warbird’s stories.
One of the treats was seeing this Phantom, in Midway livery, that we depicted in “Mig Killers of the Midway” an episode I wrote with Cynthia Harrison-Wallach.
We interviewed most of the aviators whose names are emblazoned on the aircraft and brought their combat to life – they were responsible for both the first the very last MIG kill of the Vietnam War.
Here’s Fred Bell and I in front of the F-4 Phantom (thank you, Ian, for the photo). Fred and his staff do a fantastic job and I highly recommend the museum for any fan of history or aviation. They have an amazing collection and it keeps getting better.
For the curious, I’ve included the DogFights episode thanks to the inevitable youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfQVehFjvaI
Come Shoot With Me!
Already booking up for January! So who wants to come shoot with me? Your portfolio in the gym? That poolside sexy shoot for your book? Dramatic wardrobe changes in a sea of black background. Maybe some special location, windmills, desert, vintage aircraft? Also your head shots which will be really affordable! Unlikely I will wear the bowtie. But I do have much better camera and lighting equipment now! Only the best! Send me a note and Thanks! Ian@SecondFocus.com
The Human Story
I see medical transport helicopters overhead fairly often. Usually more conspicuously marked. This one belonging to TriState Careflight in Nevada. Always makes me wonder what the human story is behind a flight like this.
The View
The view across the tarmac at the Palm Springs Air Museum from Saturday. I always have a camera at hand when I am there. The jet on the left, an F-102 will be taking up residence in the new Museum hangar when it is completed in a few months.
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