By Tyson Rininger
Chances are you've seen their photos, purchased their calendars
and admired their ads. Many of the world's greatest aviation
photographers gathered in Las Vegas, NV last weekend for the 4th
annual International Symposium of Aviation Photography (ISAP).
Their goal, to share the knowledge and experiences their career has
provided them.
More than 150 photographers from around the world attended the
three day symposium aimed at teaching better business practices,
learning a digital photography workflow and maximizing the quality
of images offered through the digital medium. Speakers who shared
their knowledge included Paul Bowen, George Hall, Katsuhiko
Tokunaga, EAA's Bruce Moore and Jim Koepnick as well as
representatives from Nikon and Canon and many others.
Although the speakers were extremely impressive and informative,
very little could compare to the organized trip out to Nellis AFB.
Symposium members were treated to a rare glimpse of the Foreign
Technologies Threat Training Facility which houses a Mig-29,
Mig-17, SU-7, Mi-24, Mi-14 and just about every type of foreign
ground threat imaginable. Base Commander, Maj. Gen. Stephen Wood
was kind enough to lay out three F/A-22 Raptors from the
Operational Test Squadron as well as enable the photographers to
practice their 'long' shooting as the USAF Thunderbirds held their
Pre-Acceptance Show.
By far the most exciting opportunity for the ISAP members was
being placed in the middle of the two Nellis runways for a 70+
aircraft departure during the largest Red Flag exercise of the
year. Screaming down the runway only feet away were F-15's and
F-16's from across the nation as well as some UK Tornado's, Spanish
F-16's and F-18's along with US Navy EA-6B's.
Even art directors from various aviation magazines were able to
get in on the action witnessing photographers sprint from one
runway to the other with all their gear. The tower officials must
have been having a blast playing their cruel joke as these little
ants down below would scurry from side to side pending the choice
of runway. Of course, the photographers didn't fare too poorly as
they were able to chat with potential future clients willing to
publish their work.
Next time you see a great aviation photo, check out the credit
line… it may be someone you know!
Special thanks to Jay Miller, Chad Slattery and Denny Lombard
for all their hard work as well as Maj. Gen. Stephen Wood, Lt. Amy
Render, SSgt. Shane Sharp and Mr. Mike Estrada from the military
side of things.