With the tough job that the Transportation Security Administration has on their hands, and their (mostly deserved) reputation, imagine my surprise recently at the Milwaukee Airport just after going through security.  As I was putting my shoes back on, rethreading my belt, and stuffing the change back in my pockets, I happened to look up at a sign near the security area exit.

We are pleased to report that we had the cover image to the 4 March issue of GA News, as well as a full page spread on page 14.

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to fly a US Airways jet to Reno, Nevada for a conference.  Usually I'm a customer of AirTran or Delta, as I live in Atlanta, so this was a new carrier for me.  Since the media regularly broadcasts the latest shenanigans of the various airline "brain trusts", I was aware of the baggage surcharges that probably awaited me.  Since I was going to the conference to make pictures, I had a fair bit of photo gear in my bag, which put it over the 50 pound limit.

One of the toughest things any photographer can be called upon to do is to create an image of a large group of people. I'm not talking about five or six people, but of several hundred people...the ultimate group shot.

As a commercial photographer, I notice things.  I especially notice photographs that I come across in the daily course of events.  I'd like to think that they were all created by professionals who pay attention to details such as light, exposure, color, backgrounds, props, gesture, and so on.  Alas, it is not always so. Just the other day I was perusing the site of a local aviation company that I'd like to work for, as they are small, but well run, and I think will go places. Working for companies like that gives me a sense of accomplishment, in that my efforts might in some way positively enhance their product and reputation, and be at least a part of their current and future successes.

Three years ago I walked into a small aviation supply store, and it literally changed my life.  It's a small store, with advertisements provided by various vendors tacked up on the wall, and an exceedingly ordinary display area.  The products are neatly arranged and the florescent light makes it easy to read the small tags under each item.  Think antiseptic.  To be honest, I can't even remember why I went in, as I'm not yet a pilot, or an aircraft owner.

The New York Times has an interesting photo essay on the early space suits, as shot by the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. Be sure to notice all the concepts regarding joint movement incorporated into the suits, as well as the many ideas regarding the gloves for "feel". Note also the various straps and cords to keep the suits from exploding upon pressurization. The "x-ray" views are revealing too... Check it out when you have a free moment. 18 images in all.

Just finished reading an interesting article about the images created by the Hubble Space Telescope. Because of the distance to the subjects photographed, different exposures and filters are taken of the same subject, and the images are then put together in Photoshop.  I'm sure there is some "high-dynamic range" work going on there.  But I digress...

While working on a job last weekend in Puerto Rico, we went outside of San Juan to the place where a local sculptor, Juan Santos Torres, sells his wares. It was high on a hill outside of Cayey, I guess about twenty miles south of the capitol, San Juan. I was there as part of a team attending the annual Puerto Rican Arts Fair evaluating artists and craftsmen for an online artist's web portal, Yellow Llama. After spending a few minutes, we were off again to a local "lechonera", where we had freshly roasted pork and other island treats for lunch, all the while listening to loud, live merengue music. It was marvelous...

As a student of human nature, humor will often convey a behavioral concept better than anything else. While not related directly to aviation, this public service announcement is for all the husbands, boyfriends, and sons who are struggling with holiday gift selections. ACT WISELY!  THIMK!

The Women Airforce Service Pilots that served during World War II are set to receive a Congressional Gold Medal. Former WASP, Bernice "Bee" Haydu talks about her experience and meets with Holly Hutchinson, a modern-day female pilot.

If you're attending NBAA in Atlanta this month, you'll see our vintage aviation photography gracing the walls of the Atlantic Aviation FBO, the home of the static displays at Dekalb Peachtree Airport (PDK).   Enjoy!

Our drawing winner, Jim Way sent this note: Your photos are great. So many quality images makes it difficult to make a selection.

However, I think I’ve settled on the Ford Tri-Motor Rudder black-and-white. I’m a fan of the more abstract images and this one looks great.

John Slemp has been busy. . . He's been shooting great photos at the EAA AirVenture in OshKosh Wisconsin, (this year's event was so rainy it's unofficially been called "Splosh-Kosh.")

Aerographs’ clients don’t necessarily just want a fine art print of a vintage aircraft. These clients want to enhance their office with an elegant feeling and a touch of class and nostalgia. These aviation attorneys, tax specialists, real estate agents and insurance folks know that an appropriate piece of art makes a connection with clients and other visitors to the office.

Recently had an image posted to the "Snapshot" section of the Smithsonian Air & Space magazine website.  It is a "portrait" of a yellow WACO, owned by Atlanta's Steve Collins.  He the proprietor of Biplane Rides Over Atlanta, and uses the WACO to introduce many to the joys of open cockpit flying.  The image below was shot a week later while doing some details of the same aircraft.

As a fan of history, it is not often that one has the opportunity to "touch" history. And yet, I had the rare chance to do just that last week, when I photographed several WWII aviation artifacts in a private collection. They belong to my friend and P-51 Mustang fighter ace, Bob "Punchy" Powell. Having lived through the dark days of WWII, he has since amassed quite a collection of memorabilia, including several items I'd never seen before.

An Air France Boeing 777 is loaded on the ramp at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Spring 2010.

Last summer at Oshkosh, during the event known as "AirVenture", I was having a casual conversation with Debby Rihn-Harvey, while making a few portraits of her for Women in Aviation International.  We were away from the main hubbub that is Oshkosh, in the Weeks Hangar. It is where all the aerobatic pilots keep their aircraft during the week of the show. It is large, secure, and close enough to maintenance help, should it be necessary. We were shooting in an area off the main floor, where we had set up an impromptu studio.