The Palm Springs Air Museum was honored to have opened the Lesley Zerebny Memorial Softball Game at sunset last night, Sunday at Big League Dreams Sports Park with a flyby of our World War II C-47 “What’s Up Doc”. I was there to photograph the moment.
The annual Police and Firefighters game was renamed to honor the two fallen Palm Springs Police Officers from last year, Lesley Zerebny and Jose Gilbert Vega, with the proceeds going to the Palm Springs Police Officer’s Memorial Fund. We are very Thankful to have been there to pay our respects.
Like nowhere else, you get up close at the Palm Springs Air Museum. That is where you find me with my favorite Hasselblad cameras. The cameras that orbited the Earth and went to the Moon.
This plane coming in from a flight demonstration is the North American Aviation T-28 Trojan… I have been told that it, in many ways, actually outperforms the famed P-51 Mustang of World War II. The T-28… “a basic trainer that was ordered in four advanced versions, the T-28A for the U.S Air Force and T-28B and T-28C, by the U.S. Navy, with the latter version designed for carrier training operations and the AT-28D. It was the first trainer designed to transition pilots to jet aircraft. In its second life, the AT-28D was used in counterinsurgency missions and later as a ground-support fighter in Southeast Asia. It’s a remarkably strong, fast, and capable airplane, and the big Wright radial engine makes that wonderful music that only a round engine can. The Trojan was the first American fixed wing attack aircraft lost in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.”
“Specifications and Performance –
T-28B Engine: One, Wright Cyclone R-1820-86 radial piston Engine. Horsepower: 1,425 hp., at sea level with auxiliary supercharger. Dimensions:Wing Span: 40.1. Length: 33 ft., Height: 12.8 ft., Weight Empty: 6,424 lbs. Maximum Speed: 343 mph Service Ceiling: 35,500 ft.”
Only a few minutes into Autumn and I am already looking back at Summer. I can’t help it, I had such wonderful models in my pool for photo shoots like the breathtaking Noel VanBrocklin.
Shoot Notes… The wonderful makeup and hair styling by Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by Broncolor. Only the best!
So great fun doing photo shoots in interesting and scenic places. Sometimes they do not seem scenic at first, but then just use your imagination. The imagination of knowing what something will look like in the photograph. One of my favorite photo shoots, this time with bodybuilder Daniel Hill.
The ever so gorgeous Maria Bertrand, often in front of my camera. And my friend! I am so lucky that so very many of the beautiful women and good looking guys I photograph become and remain my friends.
One of my buddies was walking around an event with me a few months ago. He said, looking around at the crowd… “None of these people look like the people you photograph”. Very true! Nothing wrong with it but the thought stayed with me. I do indeed work and live in a different world than many. Just different. I guess I did recognize that some time back when I named the portfolios on my Website as “My World”.
So maybe visit the “My World’s” on my Website at SecondFocus.com. Maria Bertrand is certainly there. Some of you too are there. And there will be more, changing it soon! Thanks!
Shoot notes… Maria Bertrand photographed by me. Makeup and Hair Styling by the Estee Lauder featured Blanche LeBeau. Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
It was not John Black‘s first photo shoot. He has actually been getting some good modeling jobs. But it was his first photo shoot with me. First photo shoots are important because it gets you into a mindset so you know how each other works. Then when I have an assigned or commissioned shoot, I can cast or recommend you with confidence. So John is now up at the top of my list. Shoot notes… Photographed here in Palm Springs. Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Coming up to that time of year when all of the activities at the Palm Springs Air Museum really get going. Flight demonstrations, special presentations and programs, chili cook-offs, car shows and so much more fun! And even when there is not something specifically scheduled, you never know what you might see.
This day we sure did know what to expect. A Navy EA-6B Prowler coming in from a carrier in the Persian Gulf to retire at the Museum. What a sight to see that was! Wow! You can check out that amazing aircraft today at it’s permanent home. Come take a look! You will often find me there with my cameras!
The Dos Palmas 14,000 acre wildlife preserve and oasis near the Salton Sea. It has become one of my regular stops. It almost seems like these palms could come alive and be some kind of fairy tale creature wandering the landscape.
Famed war photographer Robert Capa said “If your photographs are not good enough, you’re not close enough”. Probably not applicable here but I thought it was a good excuse to get closer to the gorgeous Sherry Goggin in our photo shoot. Click on this photo to see the photograph that was the result. One of my all time favorites and on my website at http://bit.ly/1Ik2Rgy
A natural as in so easy for her to be in front of the camera. Model Amber Flowers in the bright Palm Springs sun. Shoot notes… Hasselblad digital camera system. Lighting by sunlight.
I photographed Catherine Kwong on Saturday, posted her first photograph from our shoot on Monday across all of my social media, and the response to her has been wonderful! A professional model and actress who has had her successes, Catherine Kwong is taking it to another level. From fitness to fashion, from the small screen to the big screen, I so look forward to seeing her rising star!
Photo shoot notes… The superb makeup and hair styling by Natalie Lyle. Hasselblad digital camera system and Broncolor lighting. Side note… the teak lounge from Gloster.
She said… “Good golly Ian! You make me look good!!!” Of course she does look good! Beautiful and gorgeous actually! Catherine Kwong in our photo shoot. Professional model and actress, you have seen her in ads for Nike and Adidas, on the screen in Grey’s Anatomy and The West Wing. From lifestyle to fashion to fitness, yes Catherine Kwong… You Do Look Good!
Photo shoot notes… Natalie Lyle for wonderful makeup and hair styling! Clyde Sawyer, my ever present do it all assistant. Hasselblad digital camera system. Broncolor lighting. Only the best!
Maybe we should call this Country Western Palm Springs Poolside Casual. With model Bailey Daniels.
Photo shoot notes… Hasselblad camera system. Broncolor lighting with a Move 1200L pack, one strobe head with a white Broncolor beauty dish. Mounted on a Matthews roller stand and boom.
Start with an extraordinary, beautiful and fun model, Gabriella Muttone, take her to the Palm Springs Air Museum for a photoshoot with restored WWII fighter planes and what do you get? The dilemma of trying to pick the best shots from so many great photographs of her! Gabriella knows what that is like as well, because she herself is also an amazing photographer!
You workout hard and watch your eating habits consistently. You look great because it is your lifestyle and maybe your business and livelihood. I take that just as seriously as you do. So when you come to me to stand in front of my cameras, you will get my best. And that will be way past the best from so very many.
To chat about photo shoots for yourself or your advertising or your magazines, send me an e-mail to Ian@SecondFocus.com. I truly look forward to chatting with you with whatever your needs or just want to do. Thanks!
Mark Ebinger photographed by Ian L. Sitren at Power Of Fitness Gym in Palm Desert California.