Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (AZA, KIWA, IWA) "Willie"

[Joe Copalman]

Thank you, Joe!  The sky was pretty blown-out in the original shot because of the slow shutter, but I played around with it for a little while until I ended up with this result.

Fair enough, I hadn't considered work already done on the image.  I was referring more to the left of the histogram than the right.  It's already dramatic-looking, but a bit more contrast and saturation could go a long way in taking it from "Cool!" to "DAAAAAAMN!"  Edges of the aircraft look pretty well-defined against the background, so masking would be fairly easy. 

And this is the part where I stop suggesting changes to already impressive shot.

[Scott Youmans]

Odd Bird - taken back in 2008, how time flies...

[Matt Ottosen]

+1. I think you can have a lot more fun with this image Matt. Great capture!

Fair enough, I hadn't considered work already done on the image.  I was referring more to the left of the histogram than the right.  It's already dramatic-looking, but a bit more contrast and saturation could go a long way in taking it from "Cool!" to "DAAAAAAMN!"  Edges of the aircraft look pretty well-defined against the background, so masking would be fairly easy. 

And this is the part where I stop suggesting changes to already impressive shot.

Alright, you guys have talked me into it, I'm going to work on the photo to see if I can get "DAAAAAAMN!" right through the goalposts!

[Jeff D. Welker]

While we are on the heavy lifting theme...

[azbill]

Very nice Jeff!

[Matt Ottosen]

Northrop F-5N Tiger II
Fighter Squadron Composite 13 (VFC-13) "Fighting Saints"

[Matt Ottosen]

Well, I think this is the longest I have ever worked on editing a photo, but I'm willing to do it for all my adoring fans (you know who you are, y'all requested this).   

• Original, right out of the camera.
• Original edit, this is the one I have already posted.
• New edit, but I'm not sure it's quite; "DAAAAAAMN! Right through the goalposts!"
  I'll let you guys decide...

[Joe Copalman]

DAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

[Matt Ottosen]

DAAAAAAAAAAAMN!

Thanks Joe!

[Matt Ottosen]

Lockheed KC-130T Hercules
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234) "Rangers"

This KC-130T, BuNo 163310, served as Fat Albert #5 "Ernie" from 1996-1997.

[Matt Ottosen]

Lockheed KC-130T Hercules
Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 234 (VMGR-234) "Rangers"

This KC-130T, BuNo 163310, served as Fat Albert #5 "Ernie" from 1996-1997.

[Joe Copalman]

Love that golden hour Herk shot, Matt.

[Joe Copalman]

BLACK AND YELLOW BLACK AND YELLOW BLACK AND YELLOW BLACK AND YELLOW

[Matt Ottosen]

Love that golden hour Herk shot, Matt.

Thanks Joe!

[Joe Copalman]

ITALIAN STALLION


Agusta-Westland A149 test bird at Willie for hot-weather testing yesterday.