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
Are You Serious?
Working for artists but stealing copyright works for their sales pitch.
I get all these promo e-mails from “Art Storefronts” about how they make artists zillions of dollars by using their web services.
So I clicked on one link to look into it and what do I find; they are using a clip from the movie “Wolf Of Wall Street” with Margot Robbie. I am sure Paramount Pictures did not license a clip from their huge movie so they could sell online artist stores. https://blog.artstorefronts.com/dont-need-an-art-marketing-consultant
Not good ArtStoreFronts.com Artists depend on their works not being stolen for someone else’s profit. So stealing for your own purpose and not understanding copyright is a big strike against you.
Bunny Looking Good
Shooting this morning for the Palm Springs Air Museum. A flight of ” Bunny” the P-51 Mustang dedicated to the “Red Tails” of the Tuskegee Airmen of World War II. The actual “Bunny” was flown by Lt. Col. Robert J “Bob” Friend (February 29, 1920 – June 21, 2019).
Photographed with my FujiFilm X-T3 and XF100-400 lens. Pilot Tom Nightingale.
GoPro Goes
GoPro goes when I can’t go. Two reasons for that here… the P-63 is a one seat airplane, and passengers are not allowed in the races.
This is a rare sight indeed! The Palm Springs Air Museum P-63 Kingcobra “Pretty Polly” flying the pylons at the Reno Air Races 2018. Turn on your sound! When our P-63 is in the air you can be sure it is likely the only P-63 in the air in the world.
My Watch Raced At Reno
Looking a little beat up now. But it has the distinction of flying the finals of the Reno Air Races 2017, Unlimited Class, in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”. Back on my wrist it has done a lot of flying ever since. But for that race it was on the wrist of pilot Tom Nightingale who borrowed it from me.
Auto Erotica Peep Show
A video montage that I created for a gallery show I did with the Michael Weems Collection Gallery creating a separate gallery called “Auto Erotica” in Palm Springs. The entire gallery was works of my photography and special auto body pieces by Michael Weems.
We even had built a seedy motel room in the gallery. Kind of road trip auto related Route 66 with erotic twists. Stacks of old televisions played another video montage of my creation. This video actually played through a peep hole in the blacked out front window of the gallery 24 hour per day 7 days per week. It was great fun!
SX-70 Nude
Continuing my theme of shooting with instant cameras. Here is a series I shot during our photo shoot where I brought out an old folding Polaroid SX-70. Again I love the look of instant photos and especially here, the somewhat mid 1960’s film color palette. With model Jamie Lovelle.
Passed Out On Instax
Continuing my theme of shooting instant photographs. My photo shoot with Shauna Toerner had me bring out my Fujifilm Instax mini camera. We had so much fun shooting these and many more too.
Instant Photo Art
I have had so much high end camera equipment and lighting on photo shoots that the same amount of money could have bought a Ferrari. And then right in middle of it I bring out an instant camera of one kind or another. Various model Polaroids or Fujifilm Instax. I have shot entire features on Instant Film as well as photos that became art pieces, mounted, matted and framed. I love the look.
Here is one from a series with model Aristodeme. Shot with a Polaroid “Land” camera and peel apart film from Fujifilm. Thanks!
T-33 Beauty In Flight
There is beauty in flight. The Palm Springs Air Museum Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star. A truly wonderful video production by ParkAir Vision. Pilot Michael Pfleger, myself in the backseat. July 4, 2019.
Honoring Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Bob Friend (February 29, 1920 – June 21, 2019), our T-33 will appear at the upcoming Reno Air Races. Please join with us in honoring the Colonel and there are some fun perks for helping us out. We do need you! Thanks and click here… https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
Shooting from the backseat of the T-33. I was using my Fujifilm X-H1 and 50-140 lens. Mounted on the left and right canopy rail, I had a GoPro Hero6 Black.
Westworld Season 3
I can say something now because the trailer has been released. The HBO series Westworld Season 3. I was there on location with the Palm Springs Air Museum C-47 for the shooting of one of the episodes. Season 3 looks very intriguing!
We have many different aircraft available for productions, commercial and entertainment. Also 100,000 sq ft of aircraft hangars, all air-conditioned. Sponsorship opportunities coming up with us racing at the prestigious Reno Air Races. Even some great perks with our crowdfunding at https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
Any questions just let me know!
Ian L. Sitren
Ian@PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org
213-712-1929 cellphone & text
That Is Me
That is me. I get to do some really cool stuff. Here with the Palm Springs Air Museum to take off for a multi-aircraft video and photo shoot. My cameras of choice here; Fujifilm X-T3 with a Fujifilm 50-140 2.8 lens. It is on the strongest camera strap made and made for aviation, from Vulture Equipment Works. And a GoPro mounted inside on the left and right canopy rail. (Thanks to fellow photographer Ian Glover for the photo).
The Salute
Honoring a great man, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Robert “Bob” J. Friend. And I am very honored as well to have stood next to him when I shot this photograph of him saluting during the National Anthem at the Reno Air Races 2017.
This graphic was displayed on the 18x10ft high definition screen over the Memorial Services for the Colonel at the Palm Springs Air Museum. The beautiful painting of the Red Tail P-51 Mustang by aviation artist Stan Stokes.
Some behind the scenes info… I was going to be right next to the Colonel while he was introduced to the huge crowd in the grandstands at the beginning of the race finals. I wanted to be inconspicuous so I had put my Fujifilm X-T1 camera on my shoulder with the Fujifilm 16-55 f2.8 lens. It also made for a smaller and lighter package than the other cameras I had brought along for the races.
The National Anthem started playing and the Colonel raised his hand in salute. Only a couple of feet away from him, I brought the camera up, looked through the viewfinder and fired maybe two or three frames and brought the camera down. I saw the photo through the viewfinder and knew I had shot, for me anyway, a photo of a lifetime. For the Memorial Service, his daughter Karen specifically asked for that photo to be displayed. Afterwards she said “This is how I want to remember him”.
Always Exciting From The Cockpit
Always exciting from the cockpit! However no passengers going around the pylons at the Reno Air Races, so I have to do it with GoPro. This was a GoPro Hero6 Black. Here in the Palm Springs Air Museum P-51 Mustang “Bunny”.
As a favor to me, I am asking all of my friends to visit our crowdfunding page and help out. There are some fun perks and even some courtesy of Fujifilm. Thanks! https://igg.me/at/PSAMReno2019
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