Are you interested in Air-to-Air photography but are put off by the high expense?

If so, then the 3G Aviation Media air-to-air workshop in Mesa, Arizona may be for you!

Come fly with us and the aircraft of Falcon Warbirds in an aviation photography event designed to introduce you to the air-to-air arena while also providing plenty of ground-based opportunities for you to capture amazing photographs.

Our goal at this workshop is to provide you an opportunity to experience the thrill of air-to-air photography with significantly less expense than is usually required.  The workshop is geared toward not only providing you plenty of time airborne to get the shots you want, but time dedicated to learning the basics of safe air-to-air photoflight operations. 

Doug and Tony have over 25 years of combined experience in the air-to-air photography arena. They have shot from a variety of aircraft, - helicopters, biplanes, cargo aircraft and high-performance jets - which brings you a wealth of experience to draw from during the workshop.  

Overview

The workshop will start mid-morning in the hangar of Falcon Warbirds, at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona.  After introductions and a brief orientation to the 3G photography workshop, Doug will conduct a class on the required safety precautions and equipment that will be used for both ground and airborne phases of the photography workshop. 

   Following the safety briefing, Doug and Tony will share some of their air-to-air photography techniques, so that you are armed with the skills you need to maximize your time in the aircraft.  Lunch will be served immediately after this class, giving you a chance to socialize with your fellow photographers at the event.

While lunch is served, Tony and Doug will conduct a Question and Answer session to provide any additional knowledge you require before starting the day’s preparations for flight operations.

   The flight briefing for the operation will start immediately after lunch, and all workshop participants are invited to attend and listen to the coordination required to make the day’s events happen safely and smoothly. 

  Upon completion of the flight briefing, all of the air-to-air participants will head out to their photoships for an orientation to the aircraft and to observe the first flight being strapped in prior to engine start.  Those who are not flying in each mission are welcome to shoot the aircraft startup, taxi and departure from the areas provided by the Falcon Warbirds team.  There will be many amazing opportunities to catch these aircraft during ground operations, not just airborne!

  Each photo flight will be approximately 45 minutes of time airborne, with two subject aircraft posing for the photographers over a variety of beautiful Arizona scenery. During the flight, you will be shooting from the backseat of an aircraft from the Falcon Warbird collection, gaining practical experience in the air-to-air arena.  Upon completion of the flight, the subject aircraft will conduct low approaches to allow the ground-based photographers a chance to capture them during arrival.  Once the aircraft are all back “in the chocks” and shutdown, the air-to-air photography teams will switch out and prepare for the next flying event.

• 3 Seats per flight
• Planned flight times are:     
  • 1:30 – 2:15 PM  
  • 3:15 – 4:00 PM
  • 5:00 – 5:45 PM

Starting right after the last flight’s departure, the Falcon Warbirds team will reposition several aircraft for a sunset photoshoot.  Those who are not flying at this time will have an opportunity to capture these aircraft on the ground in the brilliant Arizona Sunset.  If you are one of the photographers airborne in the last mission during the “Golden Hour”, don’t worry, your flight will land 15 minutes before sunset, allowing you to capture the brilliance airborne and on the ground. 

The photoshoot will continue after sunset, into the twilight hour, with Tony and Doug demonstrating how to use light-painting to bring out the brilliance of your subjects during this time of day.  We will wrap up the days shooting events, about an hour and a half after sunset, in order to allow the Falcon Warbirds team plenty of time to put the aircraft away. 

Workshop attendees will then be able to head back into the hangar and sit down for a quick dinner and debrief with Tony, Doug and the Falcon Warbirds team.  This is the time to ask questions of the pilots and your photography instructors to “close the loop” on the day’s events and complete your learning experience.

If you want to participate in the aviation photography workshop at Falcon Warbirds, but without flying the air-to-air mission, ground workshop seats can be reserved HERE.  You are still a part of the event and get to attend all of the classes, briefings, meals and debriefs!

What will be provided

Camera Lanyards – Along with your safety, we work to guarantee the safety of those who fly their aircraft as our photo subjects.  As a result, we require that your cameras be lanyarded to you for the flight, and we are happy to provide this equipment to you during the event.

What you need to bring

• Camera – You will need a camera with a tripod connection on the bottom to facilitate attachment of the Camera lanyard.  Otherwise, bring the best camera that you are comfortable using.
• Lens – a lens with a 35mm equivalent of 18-200mm will give you lots of options for the shoot.  Larger telephoto lenses are not recommended for the flight, as they can be unwieldy inside the aircraft.  Lens hoods will not be used in-flight.
• Kneepads – Kneeling on the flightline and can be rough on the knees.  Tony recommends that you bring these!
• Tripods – For sunset and twilight shooting, these are a must.  A cable-release or remote trigger will also help make your images that much sharper.
• Flashlights for Light Painting – If you want to lightpaint, bring a very bright, handheld flashlight.  We recommend at least 300 or more lumens, such as the SureFire series of tactical lights.  Tony will demonstrate techniques at first and then we encourage YOU to illuminate the static aircraft as a team!
• Camera Bag – We will be able to store our equipment in our classroom for most of the day, but IDEALLY bring a camera bag that allows you to carry all of your gear comfortably around the flightline.  Once we start the sunset/twilight photoshoot we will be carrying all of our equipment onto the flightline with us.  PACK LIGHT!

To see the equipment that Doug and Tony shoot with in situations like this, click here.

What is included:

• One air-to-air photo flight with Falcon Warbirds aircraft.  Prices vary based on time-of-day and photo subject aircraft expense. (if you want to fly more than once, please contact us at workshops@3gavm.com and we can discuss specific rates)
• Static and sunset photo sessions and lessons .
• Access to a variety of subject aircraft for ground photography at the Falcon Warbirds flight facility.
• One-on-one instruction tailored to YOUR photographic skill level.
• Meals – The pace of our workshop is fast.  There is a lot to learn and experience on workshop day, so we don’t want you distracted wondering how to fit your next meal into the schedule.  Lunch and Dinner will both be provided along with beverages to keep you going during the afternoon.  Our post-workshop debrief will be conducted over dinner, so don’t feel like you have to run out after the workshop concludes.  We may even retire to a local “watering hole” to continue the debrief, based on everyone’s next-day schedule.

What is NOT included:

• Transportation to and from the Falcon Warbirds flight facility in Mesa, AZ
• Lodging - We will post information once lodging arrangements are made for a group rate at a local hotel. Workshop attendees are free to make their own lodging arrangements at a hotel of their choice.

Images courtesy of Jay Beckman at Crosswind Images - www.crosswindimages.com