I arrived early to beat the crowds and get images that we have been looking forward to all year. I had been up since 4AM to ensure we would get where we needed to be and not miss check in as the airport grounds are very secure. The breeze was strong and the air was comfortable, but crisp. As I entered the airfield it was still dark and we followed our escort in our car. You could see various aircraft illuminated on the tarmac by the lights of the hangars and building lights from the AV Fuel station.

Pulling up to our designated area, we parked and gathered all our various gear. Somewhere on the horizon, light began illuminating things more clearly. With the recent wildfires in Canada, smoke had began drifting over the state and was making things quite hazy, almost like pyrotechnics has gone off. Right then and there, it became apparent that making some compelling images would be a challenge.

As the day progressed the skies began to clear and things were beginning to look like the possibilities of getting some great images were looking up. Unlike years past, the airshow was set to have wheels up at 6PM rather than mid-day. As I checked my various weather apps, the outlook for the weather was rapidly changing. The wind direction was such that the smoke and haze from the Canadian wildfires was beginning to move into the area as the show was getting ready to begin.

It was then and there I had to change my mind set as getting clear images of the aircraft with the haze was going to be limited. How could I make compelling images and ones I would like with the conditions not being optimal. Having been in situations like this before I immediately went through this checklist in my head:

• Think Patterns
• Think History
• Think Smoke On
• Think Color Contrast
• Think Story Telling
• Think Drama

In thinking like this, I was more selective but deliberate with my clicks and that was what allowed me to have to bring home some unique images I would not have otherwise had. The image above is the perfect example of how this mindset helped me. Their is the pattern of the formation, the history is that these are the Red Arrows for the United Kingdom and that was one their only appearance at this airshow and one of only five appearances in the United States. We had plenty of smoke for sure, but the smoke coming from the aircraft gives the eye something to follow to the silhouette of the planes. Color contrast easy, dark and light. With story telling you have the reference of the time of day the image was shot and finally drama, the clouds.

The thinking has really helped me produce images at times when it has been difficult come away with images based on the circumstances. It has allowed me too turn setbacks into success.