Takeoff
The Alpha to Zulu of Aviation Photography
Voices That Matter Series

Aviation photography is the perfect mix of sleek, beautiful machines, blended with nature?s beautiful skies and fields, along with a fascinating collection of fearless pilots and capable crew, all wrapped in a rich, significant, and crucial part of history. Few genres combine this many elements, and invoke this much passion from photographers. This one-of-a kind book from Moose Peterson, one of the world?s most recognized experts in aviation photography, not only teaches you exactly what you need to know to start making beautiful, intriguing photographs of aircraft, but inspires you and pushes you creatively and technically every step of the way.

Moose takes you through all the basics for camera gear and settings, showing you what he travels with and the settings he uses to get those tack sharp images. He covers one of the most important aspects of aviation photography?light! And, he gives you a number of examples of how to take the best advantage of that light any time of the day. He shares the critical techniques you?ll need to master to create the illusion of flight, speed, and romance in a still image, including which types of prop blur you?re aiming for (and which types you want to avoid).

You?ll learn how to make the most out of air shows and fly-ins?what to shoot while you?re there, and what you might want to skip or avoid altogether (and why). You?ll learn how to photograph aircraft on the ground, from ground-to-air, and ultimately air-to-air, and how to capture one of the most important elements in aviation photography today: the fascinating pilots and crew?the people!

Moose shares many wonderful stories and adventures along the way, which illustrate how, as photographers, we?re also storytellers, and the importance of bringing out those stories in our aviation photos. Plus, you?ll gain free access to his acclaimed KelbyOne film, Warbirds and the Men Who Flew Them.

With this book, your camera, and your passion, your success in aviation photography will quickly take flight!

INTRODUCTION

The Skies Are Not the Limit

SECTION 1      Before the Prop Turns

Getting the Basics Under Your Belt

SECTION 2      Creating Romance for a Steely Subject

Using Light to Tell the Story

SECTION 3      Putting Movement in the Still

Creating the Illusion of Flight and Speed

SECTION 4      A Gathering of Planes

Shooting at Air Shows and Fly-Ins

SECTION 5      The Need for Speed!

Shooting Ground-to-Air

SECTION 6      Capturing the Human Element

Photographing the People Behind the Machines

SECTION 7      Up, Up, and Away!

Shooting Air-to-Air

Moose Peterson became hooked on aviation photography within the first minute of his first air-to-air and hasn’t stopped since, with more than 100 photo missions in the logbook since.

Moose was the creative producer and photographer of his acclaimed film, Warbirds and the Men Who Flew Them. He shares his knowledge through his writing, which has been published in more than 143 magazines worldwide. He’s also the author of 28 books, including his latest, Photography FUNdamentals, and the best-seller Captured. Moose has been honored by being named a Nikon USA Ambassador and a Lexar Elite Photographer.

He is a sought-after presenter and speaker at photography events across the country, and teaches thousands of photographers each year through his workshops, lectures, and guest appearances.

Master the skills, share the passion: Moose Peterson’s breathtaking full-color guide to aviation photography!

• A one-of-a-kind guide to aviation and aerospace photography by Nikon USA Ambassador and Lexar Elite Photographer Moose Peterson
• Brings together the unique skills, challenges, techniques, equipment, settings, and output associated with great aviation photography
• Indispensable for anyone who cares about aviation and aerospace imagery: photographers, videographers, artists, pilots, industry professionals, historians, and enthusiasts
• Will be marketed by Scott Kelby’s world-renowned photography team