United States - California - California International Airshow 2008 - Salinas - 09/26/08

[Kedar]

Wow nice shots Eddie. Great stuff, as usual.

[Keith Breazeal]

Cool shots!

Here's may heat shimmer long shot

[b52hbuff]

I hope the picture of the FC folks standing on the grandstand comes out.  It raises an issue that has hit me several times during the course of my various visits to Salinas.

Let me ask folks a question...  If I have paid for a grandstand seat, what is the proper response when a photographer continuously stands up in front of me and my child and blocks our view?

Historically, I have decided that I wanted to enjoy the seat that I paid for.  And therefore I have asked politely for the photographer to please move or sit down.  I find it frustrating that I even have to ask.  Usually, I am visiting with my young children, and having my children stand up isn't an option.  I'm getting older too, and I would like to enjoy watching the airshow sitting down, hence why I bought a grandstand ticket instead of standing out on the ramp.

I'm wondering why it seems endemic to the 'serious amateur photographer' that they tend to be oblivious to others around them?  What are photographers thinking when they stand up in front of folks?

Anyway, as has happened during the last several years, after asking the photographer to please move, the first response is that "Hey, I'm taking pictures!"  Attention photographers, if you're taking pictures with a large black dSLR and a long telephoto lens, I can usually figure this out myself.  My response is to once again point out that others (typically non-photographers) are enjoying the show sitting down and perhaps they could consider one of the previous options we had discussed (e.g. sitting down or getting out of my field of view).

So I apologize if the sarcasm/frustration clouds the final message, which is this...  please be courteous of your surroundings.  I will make every attempt to be polite in my requests.  However, I really want to enjoy the seat that I paid for.  I admit that I find it frustrating that I have to ask you sit down, since everyone else wants to enjoy the airshow as much as you do, even if we don't share your hobby we still would like to see the show.

I think I'm going to be asking the airshow folks if they can do a better job policing photographers standing in the grandstands.  Feel free to enjoy your hobby, but please don't deny others their enjoyment because somehow 'taking pictures' makes you special...

[Midnight Storm]

I hope the picture of the FC folks standing on the grandstand comes out.  It raises an issue that has hit me several times during the course of my various visits to Salinas.

Let me ask folks a question...  If I have paid for a grandstand seat, what is the proper response when a photographer continuously stands up in front of me and my child and blocks our view?

Historically, I have decided that I wanted to enjoy the seat that I paid for.  And therefore I have asked politely for the photographer to please move or sit down.  I find it frustrating that I even have to ask.  Usually, I am visiting with my young children, and having my children stand up isn't an option.  I'm getting older too, and I would like to enjoy watching the airshow sitting down, hence why I bought a grandstand ticket instead of standing out on the ramp.

I'm wondering why it seems endemic to the 'serious amateur photographer' that they tend to be oblivious to others around them?  What are photographers thinking when they stand up in front of folks?

Anyway, as has happened during the last several years, after asking the photographer to please move, the first response is that "Hey, I'm taking pictures!"  Attention photographers, if you're taking pictures with a large black dSLR and a long telephoto lens, I can usually figure this out myself.  My response is to once again point out that others (typically non-photographers) are enjoying the show sitting down and perhaps they could consider one of the previous options we had discussed (e.g. sitting down or getting out of my field of view).

So I apologize if the sarcasm/frustration clouds the final message, which is this...  please be courteous of your surroundings.  I will make every attempt to be polite in my requests.  However, I really want to enjoy the seat that I paid for.  I admit that I find it frustrating that I have to ask you sit down, since everyone else wants to enjoy the airshow as much as you do, even if we don't share your hobby we still would like to see the show.

I think I'm going to be asking the airshow folks if they can do a better job policing photographers standing in the grandstands.  Feel free to enjoy your hobby, but please don't deny others their enjoyment because somehow 'taking pictures' makes you special...

I can't speak for others, but I've always made sure I'm in one of the top two rows just for that reason. I'm not blocking anybody. I'm sure you'll find this true with just about everybody else on this forum.

You need to becareful of what you say next, because you just might piss a few people off, after all this is a site full of photographers. The person standing in front of you has just as much rights to be there as you, and NOWHERE on your ticket does it say you have to remain sitting, like you would see on a sports event ticket. Plus if you look again at the photo you'll find the people standing are not blocking any one... un-less you are a flag.

Once again this is not the proper place to bring this sort of topic up. IMO there are better places on this forum for such a topic.

[Bernardo Malfitano]

Oooh, this is tricky territory. I would reply, but the mature side of me leads me to strongly suggest we start a topic in the Lounge or General Discussion area about this. Heck, I'll make it easy: Please reply to B52Buff's concern here.

[Midnight Storm]

Good move Bernardo. 

[Keith Breazeal]

Been there, done that.  The only reason a photographer pays money for that top row seat is not to be in a position of blocking or being blocked.  Why do they buy those seats?  Not enough good area is available for them to get the shots.  They show layout requires the box seats and sponsor tents to be where they are because that is what makes the show possible- their money/sponsorships are they backbone for success.  That leaves photographers no choice but shoot from the highest point available- the grandstands.  It's a catch 22.  The solution is not killing media- that can turn around and be very bad for a show.  The solution is accomodation by design.  Create an amateur/pro photographer area that is the best location and charge for it.  I paid the Moffett airshow to construct a filming scaffold that was behind the grandstand.  Adding a platform to the rear of the grandstands would be the ultimate filming location.  No kids and spectators allowed, period.

[Bernardo Malfitano]

In case anyone missed it, this discussion (regarding standing up at airshows) has been moved here. And Keith has copied his post on there as well. I actually think it's an interesting discussion to have, and look forward to the proposed solutions.

Now I'll go home and edit some more Salinas shots so we can move on 

[salinas airshow]

That space would probably not become available. 

The Media area at the Salinas Airshow has been outfitted with a Scissor Lift for the past 4 years that was set back from the flight line and would get photogs above the crowdline, speakers and even with the grandstands.   Did anyone take advantage of that?

[Midnight Storm]

The 2nd shot didn't come out, but there was so much heat coming out the back that I'm not surprized, but anyone who looks at these two photos can imagine what it looked and felt like to have a Super Hornet buzz you at 150ft and 450-500MPH. 

[Keith Breazeal]

That space would probably not become available. 

The Media area at the Salinas Airshow has been outfitted with a Scissor Lift for the past 4 years that was set back from the flight line and would get photogs above the crowdline, speakers and even with the grandstands.   Did anyone take advantage of that?

The lift was offered.  Two things: it's not stable enough in the wind and more than one person moving around.  Secondly, After an experience at another airshow, I steer clear of them.  The lift jammed and broke way high up. 

[Keith Breazeal]

The 2nd shot didn't come out, but there was so much heat coming out the back that I'm not surprized, but anyone who looks at these two photos can imagine what it looked and felt like to have a Super Hornet buzz you at 150ft and 450-500MPH. 

It was cool!  The F-15 came in full speed and too little time to zoom out.  Here's the last frame from the burst: and uncropped 

[Keith Breazeal]

A split second before the above shot is when I realized the 100-400 was going to be over run

[Keith Breazeal]

a couple of Julie Clark's performance

[Midnight Storm]

It was cool!  The F-15 came in full speed and too little time to zoom out.  Here's the last frame from the burst: and uncropped 

Sweet!