2008.06.21 Sentimental Journey B-17G: Craig Maas

B-17G Title Page

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:13 GMT

Bob setting up a photo as the B-17G pulls away with the first passengers of the day. I threw in text and the placard for $425 rides in Photoshop.

Flying Fortress o'er Old Glory

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:23 GMT

The B-17G takes one pass over Hector field before landing.

B-17G Makes A Slow Turn

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:25 GMT

B-17G coming around for a landing.

B-17G Flies Behind The Fargodome

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:28 GMT

Once the B-17G flew around the Fargodome. I had to wait for it come around the other side.

B-17G Aims For Us

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:32 GMT

Bob picked a great spot, either that or the pilot saw us and decided to give us a thrill.

B-17G Twelve O'Clock High

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:34 GMT

At this point the bomber was so close I was zooming my telephoto wide to keep the aircraft full frame.

B-17G Overhead

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:37 GMT

SONY DSC

Over The Top

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:40 GMT

The B-17G flies right over top. The flare was bad so I converted to b&w in Photoshop.

B-17G Virtual IR

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:43 GMT

I used the Black & White tools in Photoshop to create a virtual infrared photo of the B-17G.

B-17G About To Set Down

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:46 GMT

The bomber flies over the NDSU back entrance, the lights on 19th Avenue, and sets down quickly.

B-17G Taxis

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:48 GMT

B-17G taxis to the Fargo Air Museum

Flying Fortress Takes A Bow

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:52 GMT

The B-17G swings its nose around as if to give me a good view.

Wing Tip To Wing Tip

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:19:56 GMT

B-17G taxis to the Fargo Air Museum

B-17G at Twilight

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:00 GMT

I wanted to shoot the B-17G bomber at dusk, but the Air Museum wasn't open, so I shot this photo through the chain linked fence. I should have been there 20 minutes earlier.

Twilight Tail

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:04 GMT

B-17G at dusk

Twilight Falls On Wings

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:09 GMT

B-17G Fortress pointing toward the setting sun.

Hector Field Grows Dark

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:13 GMT

I stopped to see Bob, he didn't want to join me at Hector Field to photograph the B-17G at twilight. I made the mistake of watching "Planet of The Apes" with him. I was waiting for dusk- it's the longest day of the year. But by the time the ape battle was over, the sun had already set.

B-17G Chromotwilight

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:19 GMT

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B-17G Nose Guns

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:25 GMT

Leaking Oil

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:33 GMT

The engines leak oil hence the absorber on the concrete

Ball Turrett

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:37 GMT

Desaturate the yellow ladder in Photoshop

Tail Gunner

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:42 GMT

View from the back of the B-17G

Top Turret, Top Wing

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:45 GMT

Shooting over the wing. Adjust color using Levels in Photoshop.

Nose Into The Sun

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:51 GMT

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Nose Gun Highlights

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:20:57 GMT

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Sentimental Journey Under The June Sun

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:02 GMT

I have a better version shot in RAW. This photo was worked in Photoshop using a variation of 'Infrared' in the Adjustments: Black & White menu. That's Bob under the wing. I don't know the other photographer or ponytail guy.

Sentimental Journey Under The Sun In Color

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:07 GMT

This B-17G was shot in RAW mode. I increased the 'Vibrancy', which is like contrast but for the Chromo channel (color). Bob is below the wing on the left side.

Clear The Props

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:12 GMT

The pilot is yelling to clear the area around the propellers as he is turning on the hydronic system. Shot in RAW.

A Sentimental Journey Tour

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:16 GMT

Group of patrons waiting to enter the B-17G. I shot this in RAW. In Photoshop I was playing with the color channels. I like the way it looked in Blue.

Under Wing

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:22 GMT

RAW. In Photoshop I desaturated all the blue by increasing the brightness of Blue.

Top Turret

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:25 GMT

Top gunner on the B-17G. Shot in RAW playing with the curves in Adobe RAW plug-iin

Top Turret

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:30 GMT

B-17G Flying Fortress fuselage and top turret.

Top Turret Over Tail Plane

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:34 GMT

The elevators are down but the top turret is bright in morning sun.

Tail Gunner Maas

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:38 GMT

A reflection of myself in the aluminum of the tail gunner's dream.

The B-17's Back

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:43 GMT

Looking at the top turret over the back of the bomber.

Bomb Bay

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:49 GMT

Photographing into the bomb bay of the B-17G. The crew was joking about the bombs being 'Torpedoes' or 'Suppositories'.

Bob Do You Hear Ticking?

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:21:55 GMT

Bob Nelson in the bomb bay of a B-17G playing with the bombs

View From The Bomb Bay

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:02 GMT

Looking at the walk way the the rear interior from the bomb bay. I adjusted the exposure in the bombay but masked the bright interior in Photoshop.

Work The Props

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:08 GMT

The crew manually spins the propellers, getting them ready for flight. B&W via Photoshop's B&W 6-channel mixer.

By The Hair Of My Chinny Chin Chin Turret

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:12 GMT

B-17G "Flying Fortress" I left the deep blue cause by my polarizers. Shot in Adobe RAW I brought out the detail in the shadows. In Photoshop I desaturated the red of the hanger and the gentleman under the chin turret.

B-17G In Morning Glare

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:16 GMT

Note the refraction pattern in the plexiglass of the nose. This is cause by the the interaction of the polarizer. I did all processing in Adobe Raw. I brought only a little detail in the shadows because I wanted to keep the sky a deep blue. Also worked the sharpening and chromo fringing.

B-17G Nose

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:21 GMT

Shot with a polarizer (hence refraction pattern in the plexiglass nose). Processed in Photoshop. Desaturate red shirt and hanger (since cropped out.) I lightened the shadows under the wing but masked the sky so it would stay a deep blue.

Sentimental Journey

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:26 GMT

High Key, I left the deep blue from the polarizer, brought out the detail in the shadows and desaturated the patrons blurred some distracting writing on the DC-3 behind.

There She Sits A Gleaming

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:30 GMT

I used Abobe Camera RAW to lower the contrast and bring more detail out of the shadows. Desaturated a red shirt in Photoshop.

Open Bomb Bay Doors

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:35 GMT

In Adobe RAW fix cyan/red fringe. Photoshop bring out detail in shadows.

Flying Fortress

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:39 GMT

All adjustments in Adobe raw. There are guns everywhere. It's like a fortress... a flying fortress.

Go Giants

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:45 GMT

One patron had this figurine in his bag. He has been photographing it everywhere on his vacation.

Chatting Up The Crew

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:50 GMT

SONY DSC ARW raw format

B-17G side view

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:22:57 GMT

SONY DSC ARW raw

B-17G Nice View, But Not For Long

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:02 GMT

B-17G shot from the stairway/deck of an adjoining building. Unfortunately it wasn't part of the museum and we were asked to "Get off my deck." I didn't do much in Adobe RAW, but I did use the cool B&W control in Photoshop CS3.

Can We Join You?

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:06 GMT

After I quietly made my way up the stairway, Bob followed; dropped his bag, then this guy started yelling about joining us, all before I could knock on the door and ask permission. I don't blame him for kicking us out.

Flying Fortress Now Boarding

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:09 GMT

Passengers behind B-17G preparing to board for their $425 rides. The only bad thing about my Polarizer filter is it vignettes when I have the lens on zoomed to 18mm.

Windy Look at B-17G Tail

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:17 GMT

Ground crew member stands at the ready with a fire extingisher in case the engines start on fire. The crew is starting the engines, preparing to taxi for the first flight of the day. I was the only one brave enough to stand back here were the wind was gusty to say the least.

Bob In Duggy

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:23 GMT

Bob Nelson was in photographing the cockpit of 'Duggy' the DC-3 http://www.duggy.com/

The Flying Fortress Flies By

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:26 GMT

Bob and I catch the B-17G as it prepares to land. Although we only went across the street to catch this shot, we spent 20 minutes in the museum. By the time we got to this spot the bomber was coming back.

B-17G Returns From Successful Mission

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:31 GMT

After taking a set of passengers up for a spin around Fargo, the B-17G Flying Fortress approaches the runaway as traffic on 19th Avenue run underneath.

B-17G Returns

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:38 GMT

Bob and I returned to the Air Museum waved our passes to get in, and got in position in time to catch the bomber taxiing back to the tarmac. I'd like to be the guy in the nose.

B-17G Taxi's In

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:43 GMT

The bomber returns to its spot north of the Air Museum

Flying Fortress Engines Slowing

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:49 GMT

The polarizer makes the color temperatur a little cooler than normal. (blue)

Bomber Drive By

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:23:56 GMT

The B-17G turns and taxi's by me.

B-17G Flying Fortress Parked

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:00 GMT

The bomber comes to a stop after a recent flight. The ladder comes down for the crew and passengers.

B-17G Flight Certificate

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:05 GMT

The crew presents a flight certificate to a passenger under a blue Dakota sky.

Nose Gunner Station

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:13 GMT

Under the Pilot and Co-pilot, the navigator and nose gunner station. As soon as the B-17G came to a stop I grabbed Bob and we headed for the entrance so we would be first to tour the aircraft.

Entrance to B-17G

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:22 GMT

You climb on hand and knees, "Watch your head." Looking back to the tail of the aircraft. 180 degrees; climb up to the cockpit or climb down to the nose gunner, navigator, bombadier stations.

Underneath Top Turret Station

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:33 GMT

I'm blocking the way; the crew is telling me to check out the cockpit and then move back so there will be room for Bob to climb up. I turn on the flash.

Sky Through The Top Turret

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:42 GMT

On the floor on my back.

B-17G Cockpit

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:50 GMT

I only took four quick photos at the cockpit. I was in the way and had to move.

B-17G Bomb Bay

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:59 GMT

I was surprised to see the bombs were losely stacked on either side of this V bar. The foot path that leads back to rest of the aircraft is approximately 8 inches wide, and you have to squeeze between the V-bar.

Bob Waves From Entrance

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:07 GMT

Looking toward the cockpit past the bomb bay.

Rear Firing Top Machine Gun

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:13 GMT

Engineer's Station behind the bomb bay

Waist Gunner Station

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:20 GMT

Behind the engineer and radio operator station we find the waist gunners and ball turret station.

50 cal. Machine Gun

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:27 GMT

The waist gunners' machine gun.

Gunner's View Of Parking Lot

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:44 GMT

A good look at the waist gunner's 50 cal. machine gun.

Bob Nelson As Waist Gunner

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:50 GMT

Bob stops photographing to man the 50 caliber waist guns.

Craig Maas Mans The 50s

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:25:57 GMT

I had Bob Nelson photograph me on the 50 caliber machine guns

Take That You Dirty Nazi

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:03 GMT

Bob Nelson photographs Craig Maas on the waist gunner's machine gun.

Prepare To Bailout

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:11 GMT

Bob Nelson takes one last look around before we exit the B-17G Flying Fortress.

Bob Checks Out Belly Turret

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:16 GMT

Bob Nelson photographs the Belley Turret, which was open but had a plexiglass barrier, so no crawling in.

Belly Gunner Bob

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:23 GMT

Bob Nelson photographing the Belly Gun on the B-17G

What Are You Looking At?

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:29 GMT

Ms Grable catches me looking at her gams.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betty_Grable

Sentimental Journey

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:37 GMT

She looks mighty good, and Betty Grable doesn't look too bad either.

B-17G Nose Guns

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:42 GMT

Nose of Flying Fortress. I brought out detail in the shadows in Photoshop but it lessened the dramatic impact of the contrast.

Bob Photographing Sentimental Journey

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:48 GMT

Bob shields his lens from glare while photographing the nose art (Betty Grable) on the B-17G

Betty Grable Shows Off Her Legs

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:26:54 GMT

The patrons line up to take a $5 tour of the B-17G

Bob Pictures Himself As A Tailgunner

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:27:02 GMT

I was done shooting, so I started shooting Bob shooting the B-17G

B-17G Tail

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:27:07 GMT

Say goodbye to the B-17G Flying Fortress. I had planned to catch "Sentimental Journey" again at the Jamestown Air Show 6/28 but it was rained out and I couldn't make it Sunday.

Overlooking The Fargo Air Museum

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:27:16 GMT

Bob and I cool off in the Fargo Air Museum Library. Now that we're members we feel special.

B-17G Framed by P-51

craigmaas@gmail.com (Craig Maas) — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:27:21 GMT

Shot from the Fargo Air Museum. The B-17G Flying Fortress is frames by the hanger door and a P-51 Mustang. Shot in RAW.