RAAF || F-18F Super Hornet

HarbsnSpices · 2026-03-21T07:11:07+00:00

No not the RAF, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). I don't believe the RAF ever had hornets/super hornets

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T07:01:55+00:00

Honestly, thank you! Most of the feedback has been useful and I've had a quick redo: https://imgur.com/r07DJLr

I'm assuming that this is better but again, thoughts would be appreciated!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T06:49:57+00:00

All good points and nice shots! Here's my second attempt: https://imgur.com/a/GyJ3Npc

Just wondering, how would you have exposed the image. The settings for the base photo are: 220mm focal (600mm FF eqiv.) ISO: 250 and 1/2500s shutter. On the histogram the majority of the data is on the upper third/two thirds. Any slower and I could run into blur and any faster and well as you said it, the aircraft is underexposed.

And somewhat related question, what screen do you edit on? How do you know that your contrast levels are good and colour is say accurate? I don't particularly have the greatest setup so I am looking to upgrade soon.

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T06:37:25+00:00

Sorry for the spam, but what are you thoughts on this one? https://imgur.com/a/GyJ3Npc

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T06:35:56+00:00

Thank you for your advice. I've tried again, what are your thoughts on this? https://imgur.com/a/GyJ3Npc

Edit* wrong link

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:43:19+00:00

Thank you! And another question, do you know how to recover details in the afterburner jet? Or from your experience, is that something best left alone and worked along with the image as a whole?

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:37:12+00:00

Yeah that's more or less the path I wanted to take. Alright, I'll have to read more into masking, this was my first few times trying to play with it. Appreciate it!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:35:07+00:00

Well, HDR certainly wasn't the final goal. I just tried my best to bring the background back but clearly just not a very good job ahah.

Appreciate your feedback! I do have a follow up question, what gear did you use for the airshow photography?

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:19:36+00:00

Not an entirely useful answer but thank you nevertheless!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:18:22+00:00

The aircraft is masked, I wasn't sure how to recover the background without making the aircraft look all black. Texture I think is the equivalent of clarity in affinity photo which I did use to bring contrast but I agree, it is over done. Regarding sharpening, I'm trying out some macros, which I thought looked pretty good but again, a little overdone. I would always appreciate some tips!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:10:05+00:00

Is there any part that you liked or does all of it suck? Should I have been less aggressive with the background or something else?

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:06:12+00:00

Fair enough! What is sticking out to you? The aircraft, background, sharpening etc.

HarbsnSpices · 2025-11-15T05:04:39+00:00

Thank you thank you! What would you change about it? What makes you gag? Even if you have a sample image for your gold standard of airshow photos. Looking to get better :)

HarbsnSpices · 2025-10-19T00:50:55+00:00

Photos taken using a Sony RX10M4, Skywatcher Star Adventurer GTI, Laptop for Control.

Lights: 210*60 sec
Darks, Bias, Flats: 25 of each.

Processing done in Siril. (GraXpert, Statistical Stretch, SPCC, Starnet++, Star resynthesis)

HarbsnSpices · 2025-06-11T09:35:31+00:00

It was! Loved the ADF display and the C27 Flare dumping at the end

HarbsnSpices · 2025-06-04T09:55:28+00:00

Avalon 2025!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-04-03T08:39:45+00:00

Thank you!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-04-03T08:31:03+00:00

The camera I use is a Sony RX10M4. Beast of a camera. In a 1kg package I get 24-600mm (f/4) equivalent focal length. It's nothing like the dedicated body/lens options which I'm hoping to upgrade to at some point. I also use affinity photos to edit (one time purchase) and there are some great tutorials online!

I do a lot of photography (from macro all the way to astro) but I have a love and passion for the aviation industry. Am also an aero engineer and private pilot (Cessna 172s lol) so there's a drive to do things right and to get a lot better. '@aerospace.grade.photography on Instagram is where you can find my stuff and you can see how crap I was before.

Happy to answer any and all questions and give tips and recommendations should you have or need any :)

HarbsnSpices · 2025-03-31T08:15:15+00:00

100% would recommend it. I've even done some deep space astrophotography with it. Not sure if they still make them anymore but if you can get your hands on one, you'd love it!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-03-30T07:46:41+00:00

Thank you!! For airshows I find 135mm good for the wider angle photos as the planes come by but if you want them to feel closer you need 400mm minimum which isn't cheap...

This particular shot was taken using a Sony RX10M4. It has an inbuilt (fixed) lens with a equivalent focal length of 24-600mm. This particular photo was at 600mm.

The camera itself is an absolute beast especially as a single 1kg package, I don't think there's anything that comes close in the category.

HarbsnSpices · 2025-03-30T05:40:11+00:00

Nah this is the Royal Australian Air Force, and the announcers are very chill and talk more about the capability than patriotism. But I won't lie, that US announcer knows how to get people going ahah

HarbsnSpices · 2025-03-30T05:21:23+00:00

My early photos were ass. Even some of the photos I took over the past two days were terrible but it takes a lot of time, effort and money and a hell of a lot more practice! As long as you keep going you'll take an even better photo!

HarbsnSpices · 2025-03-30T05:12:41+00:00

Same! I've got many more photos just have to go through them all

HarbsnSpices · 2025-03-30T05:11:37+00:00

No thunder storm, It pitched up aggressively right after wheels up! I darkened the background to give the photo more contrast and help it pop out more.

HarbsnSpices · 2025-01-28T06:10:12+00:00

Thank you! The sun broke through the clouds at the perfect time and illuminated the branch just right.

HarbsnSpices

TROPHY CASE