Category: Fine Art America

Done in post-processing some creative filters can really enhance some photographs.

Of course, you have to start with a good image with proper exposure, clarity and composition. When those criteria are met it can be rewarding to explore some filter options and the effect they can have for the overall, artistic presentation.

I love airshows and airplanes of all kinds. I have been a Private Pilot for half a century and here is one of my personal favorite show pictures. I shot this over the beach in Ocean City, Maryland at the airshow in June, 2015 and shows a 60+ year evolution of military fighter aircraft. A World War II a P-51 Mustang World War II fighter airplane is flying in formation with an F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet.

Here is a simulated Charcoal Sketch presentation that gives a bit more “pop” to the two airplanes. That is likely because the “charcoal” sky is more textured and not the clear/plain blue in the original photograph. There is also more apparent detail in the fighters, themselves. What do you think? (Please respond in the comments section.)

The charcoal rendition here of two different fighter planes are meant to be more tonal sketches and express the idea of a plane as a fast-moving machine. True to their nature, these images were “blasted” with a charcoal filter in Topaz Studio2 to minimize details and add a dramatic effect that suits the aggressive, potent look of war pilots in the skies.

Here is the original photograph of the two military fighters flying north over the beach in front of an estimated 100,000 viewers.

Going one step further is an Expressionism presentation where much of the detail is converted to fluid lines and colors. This provides a more abstract rendition of these two aircraft but also illustrates the fluidity of the design allowing the airfoils to slice through the air at incredible speeds.

Links

Link: Raptor and Mustang in Formation Charcoal Sketch

Link: Raptor and Mustang in Formation

Link: Raptor and Mustang in Formation Expressionism

Link to: Bill’s Fine Art America/Pixels Gallery

Link to: Bill’s Pictorem Gallery

In the photographs above 75 years of aviation history are represented in the P-51 Mustang World War II fighter airplane and 2009-15 F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet flying in formation over the beach in Ocean City, Maryland.

The P-51 Mustang was built to serve in the skies over World War II battlefields. It was developed and produced by North American Aviation in 1940. It could attain speeds over 400 MPH and carried 6 50-caliber Browning Machine Guns.

The F-22 Raptor Fighter Jet was built by Lockheed Martin in 2009 and (obviously) still flies today to provide defenses for the United States Armed Forces and carries a variety of modern weaponry.

Note: The images for sale are proportionally “sized” for framing in 8×10 up to 16×20 inch sizes and would look great on a wall in your home or office.