WTI 1-15

[Jeff D. Welker]

I had the good fortune to spend the better part of Tuesday and Wednesday shooting at WTI 1-15 with Ned and Steven. While the weather in Yuma was challenging for photography (overcast, rain, high humidity, etc), the Marines had no such problems. Classic Yuma sunny skies prevailed Wednesday afternoon. I had a great time and certainly enjoyed learning from Ned and Steven. I'll really need to work some magic in post processing to pull good detail out of the "muck". Thank goodness for modern digital cameras and low noise/high ISO options. I'm sure others will have some great images; however, I'll get the ball rolling with a couple of my "weather" shots.

A DARK & STORMY KNIGHT

COMRADE SNIPER

[Jeff D. Welker]

Late Wednesday afternoon, the clouds broke up and a more normal Yuma sky prevailed. The warm sunset was a terrific change from the previous 36-hours of overcast.

DEATH JESTERS

[Joe Copalman]

Bloody hell, that last one is awesome.

[Jeff D. Welker]

Bloody hell, that last one is awesome.

Thanks Joe. The light Wednesday evening was phenomenal! If you like this image, wait until you see the one Ned got - spectacular.

Here is an image I was pleased to capture. A C-130 setup shop directly over MCAS Yuma at about 14,000 AGL. It performed large sweeping circles and refueled F-18's that were departing to different ranges. I'm told that this is a common occurrence. While the image certainly isn't a work of art, it was neat for me to see how precise the refueling process is and how well my camera performed in capturing this image. Question for Joe, Scott Youmans, or any other AzAP member who've spent time shooting from a Herc, does it look like the ramp is down in my photo? I was wondering if another shooter was getting some nice images of the Hornets getting a drink?

BEVERAGE CENTER

[bilwor]

Awesome shot of the refueling Jeff. I didn't realize how  large the F/A-18s are, but comparing them with the Herc in your photo gives a good relation.
bill word

[Jeff D. Welker]

Awesome shot of the refueling Jeff. I didn't realize how  large the F/A-18s are, but comparing them with the Herc in your photo gives a good relation.

bill word

Thanks Bill. Technically, I suppose the Hornets are smidgen lower in altitude relative to the Herc to account for the slack in the hoses. Accordingly, I guess they may appear a tad larger. However, whatever the difference in altitude, it can't be much. Those F-18's are definitely long platforms.

[Joe Copalman]

They're not that much lower, maybe 10-15' max below when on the hose.  The F-18 is a beefy bird.  

[azspyder]

Great shots Jeff...in very adverse conditions. The Euro-Photogs may be more familiar with these conditions, but I am not. 

[Tower Guy]

Jeff, EXCELLENCE! I knew I was missing a great shoot. I'm going to work tomorrow and kick the boss' butt for letting the military supervisor go TDY and sticking me with the kids for the week. Great work. Reference your question about the C-130s ramp. I believe it's very possible it is ajar, there appears to be slight shading under the tail that would occur if the ramp were down. I could be wrong of course. That's my observation for what it is worth. Plus when the ramp is totally closed you wouldn't normally see that much of a gap around the rest of the opening. After all he is nearly 3 miles up and to see any gap indicates it may or may not be open?  

[Jeff D. Welker]

Great shots Jeff...in very adverse conditions. The Euro-Photogs may be more familiar with these conditions, but I am not. 

Jeff, EXCELLENCE! I knew I was missing a great shoot. I'm going to work tomorrow and kick the boss' butt for letting the military supervisor go TDY and sticking me with the kids for the week. Great work. Reference your question about the C-130s ramp. I believe it's very possible it is ajar, there appears to be slight shading under the tail that would occur if the ramp were down. I could be wrong of course. That's my observation for what it is worth. Plus when the ramp is totally closed you wouldn't normally see that much of a gap around the rest of the opening. After all he is nearly 3 miles up and to see any gap indicates it may or may not be open? 

Thanks Steve, I pulled my hamstring working on the F-35 file. Not sure what our Euro friends do, but I'd love to learn a few easier ways to mangle these soupy pixels.

Much appreciated Harvey. The photography was fun and hanging with Ned and Steve even more fun. I also appreciate and respect your thoughts on the Herc ramp. Just looks ajar to me.

[Joe Copalman]

That's a solid seal on the ramp.  It's pretty obvious when the ramp is open:

[Jeff D. Welker]

That's a solid seal on the ramp.  It's pretty obvious when the ramp is open:

Thanks Joe, your photo definitely tells the tale. If nothing else, I should have recognized that the top half of the ramp was not open on the Herc I photographed. Just my wishful thinking that someone was having fun photographing those Hornets refueling.

Apparently the humidity and weird weather got the best of me in Yuma, I'm sick as a dog today. I don't know if it is the meds, but I'm struggling to get consistent color balance with these overcast "soupy" files. The only medication that helps my current malaise is bending pixels 

AFTER THE FIGHT

INSPIRED BY MESSRS. SHIELDS

DARK & STORMY KNIGHT v.2

[Joe Copalman]

Thanks Joe, your photo definitely tells the tale. If nothing else, I should have recognized that the top half of the ramp was not open on the Herc I photographed. Just my wishful thinking that someone was having fun photographing those Hornets refueling.

Or blowing an op, as some recent shots floating around the web from a similar evolution seem to indicate.  

[Scott Youmans]

Jeff, Love that DARK & STORMY KNIGHT v.2 shot. Really nice. I can see why you might think the ramp was open on that Herc shot.  The upper door is relatively clean compared to aft fuselage immediately behind it. Makes it look like the two surfaces are not aligned. As you can see from Joe's shot, it's pretty clear cut when the ramp is open.  Cool shot in any case. Surprisingly crisp considering the distances involved.

[Scott Youmans]

I should have scrolled up farther. A DARK & STORMY KNIGHT (v.1) and COMRADE SNIPER are both top notch.  I find the dark skies to be a great relief to my eyes!  More atmosphere, no pun intended.  Great post processing as usual.  Nothing lacking there, don't see how they could much better.