Male model preferred for about 1 to 2 hours work. Pose next to an aircraft to create a small set of portraits for advertising/editorial use in print and online campaigns within Australia. Details:
This is a low-budget shoot, so please do own MUA and clothing.
Clothing: Preference for neutral coloured chino trousers, long-sleeve white button-up shirt
When: The shoot will be close to sunset, most likely on a late Saturday afternoon (7th Jan) or the Friday before or Sunday after
Where: A regional airfield that is within 60kms of Melbourne CBD (transport by photographer can be provided). Contact us to learn more
The airshow was hosted by the Temora Aviation Museum on the weekend of the 6th and 7th March 2021. As it so happens, on the 21st of March is the Royal Australian Air Forces’ (RAAF) 100th anniversary. It was preceded by the Australian Air Corps of the Australian Army from 1912 to 1920, making it the second oldest air force in the world.
The RAAF’s new Pilatus PC21 on display at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Aircraft at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Aircraft at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Temora is a small little rural country town in the literal middle of nowhere in rural country Australia – in the middle of the rural country area. There’s nothing much around Temora, but canola fields, some sheep, maybe some random cattle. I don’t think even the kangaroos bother being in the middle of rural country nowhere. The airshow still attracted 3000 visitors, which is not a fair measure. It was covid restricted to 3000, so it would normally receive more people.
Originally intended as a fighter in WWI, the De Haviland Tigermoth became an important trainer and civilian workhorse at the Temora Airshow. No photoshopping required. The Tigermoth really did pass by the moon before it set later in the day.
Temora, though, has aviation history. During World War One (1914 to 1918) it was the site of the Empire Training Scheme, where the British Commonwealth pilots were trained. It was also a major training site during World War Two. During the postwar period to the late 1990’s the Temora “airport” was a forgotten place in aviation history. However, interest in Temora as a site for vintage aircraft airshows rose in the 1990’s, I even helped out at an airshow there then. Then in the early 2000’s a businessman with an interest in Australian aviation military history started the Temora Aviation Museum (TAM).
The Battle of Britain hero the Supermarine Spitfire at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The TAM has slowly collected some iconic aircraft of military aviation history, including from small one to the big ticket items. Though modest, the collection is still enviable. My personal favourites are some of my all-time favourites the English Electric Canberra and the Curtis P40 Kittyhawk.
A Curtis P40 Kittyhawk taxiing before takeoff at the Temora Airshow.
However, in the last year, possibly due to the economic effects of the lockdowns and travel restrictions of the coronavirus period, most of the TAM collection was recently handed over to the RAAF.
The Curtis P40 Kittyhawk taxiing ahead of an air display at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The EE Canberra had been airworthy, but a rebuild and inspection of the engines were apparently needed. It’s currently not flying, but they did demonstrate the engines warming up early in the day. It is expected to be in the air again later in 2021.
The English Electric Canberra at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
My favourite photos of the airshow, weirdly, were taken at the very start. It was a rescue helicopter that came in before anything started. I was renting the Sigma 150-600mm behemoth lens. I’ve never used a lens like it before. So, I tested it out a bit a couple of days before the airshow. On the day itself, the incoming helicopter was a last test before the “serious shoot”. I was able to check my focusing techniques, shutter speed for the rotors, stabilisation techniques, etc. Unintended, these turned out so great. I think for a few reasons. Firstly, the helicopter appeared much closer than the airshow displays. Second, we can clearly see people. Third, the people were doing things. Fourth, it’s a bright contrasty colourful scene.
Aircraft at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Aircraft at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
Aircraft at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
I’m not sure why the rescue helicopter was here. I suspect it’s something to do with civilians doing aerobatics, former military pilots doing aerobatics, in vintage aircraft.
The airshow featured some world “firsts”. Including the first time three Spitfires flew in formation since WWII. The first time two CAC Boomerangs flew in formation with a Lockheed Hudson. And the first time Spitfires flew in formation with the new Lockheed Martin F35 Lighting II. This also marks the first time I’ve seen the F35 in person. It was hard to photograph, as it came at the end of the day, when all the other aircraft flew at propeller-speed slow, then suddenly this fast-moving beast blasted by only a few times, I wasn’t quite ready to deal with the speed.
The new RAAF Lockheed Martin F35 Lighting II at the Temora Airshow and 100th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force.
These photos and more will be available for sale on our stock sales site soon at either Alamy or our archive.
As I’ve said, the main lens used is a rented specialty telephoto lens, the Sigma 150-600 lens. It’s a rare lens, due to the telefocal length and the versatility the Zoom range offers. It’s mostly used by bird watchers, wildlife, and sports photographers. It performed well. The focus speed was as expected or better; it didn’t take long to find the target to focus on. Though this wasn’t the sports model, it just did the job well. It suffers a little in vignetting at the 600mm end, even at f9. Also, the lens is surprisingly light considering the glass elements the zoom range needs. Would I buy one?
The Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens
The Sigma 150-600mm telephoto lens
Is the lens sharp? I think no. It’s good, but not that good. At 290mm. While post processing the images, I thought a lot of the softness was from me not using a fast enough shutter speed for the focal length and distance. However, 290mm at 1/320sec should result in perfectly sharp photos, but I haven’t found a perfectly crisp photo. It seems softness is from chromatic aberration, but without colour. Would I get the Tamron equivalent? Well, that was my preferred choice, so in the end, I don’ think it matters too much which I get… but I’d rather try the Tamron first.
Gliding is an amazing sport and leisure pursuit. There is always so much to learn; especially the wide variety of things you can learn about. Ok, I like to geek out, but you don’t have to. The best memories of gliding I have as a teenager was the late afternoon smooth silky air. The views of long shadow sunsets. Performing a very difficult landing during unexpected rain in my most hated glider: the Blanik (however, a proud moment). Also, the variety of people you meet, who have a wide variety of knowledges, expertise, and personalities.
Above: Wendy in a Melbourne Gliding Club glider (the high performance Duo Discus and DG-1001).
Recently, I got in contact with the Gliding Federation of Australia to see if I could do a shoot or two or more with them. I love flying. I love aeroplanes. I even used to be a member of the air force cadets.
Above: Some photos from when I was a teenager in the 1990’s. Me in the glider I spent the most time in, an IS-28, fling in the Interservice Competition at Leeton in a K7. My favourite glider the K-13. My old learner’s motorbike with the dream glider: the Club Libelle. Photos were taken on film, and photographed from an old album.
As a part of the presentation of photos that I’m building up is the story aspect. I was so lucky to work with the very patient and helpful Iain and Belen of the Melbourne Gliding Club. Special thanks to Sarah of the Gliding Federation of Australia for helping to make these possible. Featured below is Wendy, a great Melbourne-based model.
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Two young women at the Melbourne Gliding Club at the Bacchus Marsh Gliding Centre
Above: Preparing for the day. For more information about gliding, please go to these websites:
