Thunderbirds!

[docfrance]

Shots from the 26 May 2010 US Air Force Academy Graduation in Colorado Springs, CO. The nose-to-nose shot was taken while panning along with the F-16 on the right. Just caught it at the right moment as they were closing on each other at about 500 mph.
Here's the Hat Toss, trying to get the T-Birds at 8 fps

















All taken with Canon 7D and Canon 70-200 EF IS F4

[pbjunkiee]

Wow if #4 had the formation above..... it would be AMAZING!

but really really good action

-jeff

[pbjunkiee]

[docfrance]

Thanks for the photoshop work on #4--it looks great but, alas, the Honor Code prohibits me from using that...

The year before I caught the shot. Here's the link to that thread...

http://forums.steves-digicams.com/sp...raduation.html

No cutting-and-pasting on any of these, but they were take with an older Canon XT and the tele-zoom shots are with the cheapy, kit 75-300mm lens. Here's the "Money Shot"

[pbjunkiee]

Perfect

[docfrance]

The key part here is the Commandant of Cadets (a Brigadier General) reading the timing/signal flags on top of the press box correctly because they don't toss their hats until he says, "Ladies and Gentlemen, you are DISMISSED!" This year he was about 0.5 seconds late. Last year, not only was the sky cloudless, but he nailed the timing, too. It's an amazing sight and not too many dry eyes are in the crowd or on the floor. I've seen about a dozen of these and they're always great.

[shoturtle]

Nicely capture. Thanks for shearing.

[Wingman]

Bravo!

[Ordo]

Excellent!