Challenge: Free Study 2010-08 (Advanced Editing VII)
Camera: Nikon D3
Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
Location: Seattle, Washington (USA)
Date: Aug 5, 2010
Aperture: f/16
ISO: 500
Shutter: 1/4000
Galleries: Military, High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Date Uploaded: Aug 7, 2010
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Photographer’s Notes
I really hate paying taxes! It’s not that the government doesn’t serve me, it’s that the government’s priorities don’t mesh well with mine. Government should do what it is uniquely positioned to do … no less, and certainly no more. It is perfectly positioned to defend the country … no private company could do it as well.
So when the Navy brings the Blue Angels to Seattle each year, I take it as a publicity stunt demonstrating the essentially absolute power of the US military. If you control the air, you control the ground. Don’t get me started on cyber-warfare where my conclusions might be different.
Although I hate it, I do pay a lot of taxes. And every time I watch the US Navy’s Blue Angels (in this case), or the US Air Force’s Thunderbirds, or Canada’s Snowbirds, (I could go on but, I’m sure you get the idea) I feel like I’m getting my money’s worth. Face it – it’s fantastically expensive to fly these weapon systems solely for their entertainment value. But I am entertained and I have spared no expense to see them on multiple continents.
Every time I attend an air show, I bring my camera. I shoot 1,000, 2,000, or maybe 3,000 images – often more. At some point, I grow bored with yet another fly-by by yet another aerial vehicle. So I start to develop photo objectives – in this case – to showcase the phenomenal power of these weapon systems. Because the weather was crappy and distances were greater than I hoped, the original was a moderately crappy photo. Nikon D3, Photomatix, and Photoshop to the rescue. In the end, I am very happy with this image in fulfilling my objective.
I know that this image won’t necessarily appeal to the majority of DPC folks. It’s not a subject that tends to do well here. But maybe folks will set aside their prejudices and appreciate the image for the power it conveys. I believe it is a well conceived, shot, constructed, and presented image. You, dear voter, need to decide it you resonate with it.
And to America’s enemies – “Don’t Tread On Me.” I had thought of using "Don't Tread On Me" as a title, or possibly "Avenging Angel" but I don't think it will win friends among non-US voters.
Post Processing
• Pseudo HDR Conversion from RAW (Photomatix)
• Crop (PSCS5)
• Reduce Noise (Neat Image)
• Punch (PSCS5 Vibrancy Layer)
• Color Sky (PSCS5 Color Layer)
• Brighten Jet (PSCS5 Overlay Layer)
• Clean Up Image Flaws (PSCS5 Clone Layer)
• Resize (Genuine Fractals)
• Save for Web (PSCS5)
Camera Data
• Date: 2010/08/05
• Camera: Nikon D3
• Lens: Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED
• ISO: 500
• Aperture: f/16
• Shutter: 1/4000 |
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