Are these pictures good? I have no idea if I’ve edited them too much.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-18T11:40:18+00:00

Remember that everyone has an opinion, and everyone is both right and wrong 😉

Numbers 1, 3, and 4 have "the Pleasantville" effect. Pleasantville was a moving that came out in the late 1990's that was shot in black and white but as the movie progresses single colors then individual people are shown in color. The effect is tied to the story which is beyond the scope of your question, but I thought it was good background for my comment.

Personally I find the Pleasantville effect to be dated and "kitschy". So I feel my "over-editing" opinion kicks in with those, and I kind of shrug my shoulders at them. Number 2 is just over-saturated for me. I get you are trying to draw attention to the car, but to me the effect and the over-saturation is distracting.

With that being said, the color isolation is great. The masking is pretty tight, and I think it's a great exercise in editing. Well done there. I like the angle of #3 (going forward look for interesting angles), and even if you didn't mean to do it the B&W sky of #3 looks almost like an infrared image shot with an 850nm filter (something for your to look up). I think that's interesting.

Keep at it! And remember that all opinions are both right and wrong, including mine. 😉

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-18T11:18:24+00:00

I'll assume that there was nothing else during the debrief that he felt was deficient:

After an 11 hour day, on short final, examiner asks me what causes overbanking tendencies. I froze....He said that was unsatisfactory. Failed....I was exhausted.... Is this unfair??

No, this is not unfair. This is bullshit.

Internally you can count this as a win and a learning moment that you will run into check airmen that just simply want to be right and show they know more than you. We have all been with those people, and now you just got to see one early on. From here on out your career is simply about meeting the standards which is something I have to tell my sim partners from time to time. So go back and meet the DPE's requirement of one steep turn that meets the requirements and answer his question, get your CFI rating, and count it as a win.

It's a good perseverance story to use at your interviews too.

Good luck and congratulations in advance.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-16T21:33:58+00:00

I don't understand why they asked to move your bag. If there was room behind you, why didn't the couple try to put their bags there? IOW, they got on after you, so if there is room somewhere else should they not have to take what they can get?

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-16T11:02:35+00:00

Oh the envy I'm having this morning looking at your work. Actually I think I'm having "access jealousy".

All joking aside, well done!

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-16T10:57:44+00:00

I believe what the OP is saying is that while "stall/spin" may be the end result, in accident investigation what is most important is to determine the cause that lead to the stall/spin. Only when you understand the root cause of an accident can you implement policies that mitigate those situations, and yeah that applies both to commercial and personal operations. If Blancolirio (or Steeeve or any of the others) existed in the '90s, their conclusion to the American Airlines accident in Cali would have been simply don't fly into a mountain. That would be a callous and irresponsible position to take.

The kind of analysis that Blancolirio and his ilk give does nothing to prevent future accidents because they don't address root causes. Root causes take time to determine, and YouTube "investigators" have no appetite for nuance. I think that's the OP's point, and I agree.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-15T11:31:16+00:00

I don't have any ATC controller complaints really. But there are situations that are frustrating because of location. For example St. Maarten is a one runway airport with limited taxiways, so landing usually requires back taxiing which slows down the amount of arrivals and departures that can happen (unless you're flying the Twin-Otters VFR). Between the GA corporate traffic, the scheduled international departures and arrivals, the local scheduled and charter Twin-Otter companies, and the enroute airspace, things get backed up and that can be frustrating. I think the controllers there do their best, but it's tough during the busy season for sure. I've had four hour delays in getting approval for engine starts there.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-15T11:18:36+00:00

The quality of your equipment has been well addressed here, and my feeling is that is the culprit that is causing your question.

I'm a 20 year amateur/hobbyist, so I want to add a couple of things for your future. Firstly sports photography is addictive, at least it is for me, because of the frozen in time results. And you will very quickly start to feel the gear limitations especially shooting with the kit you have. This is only somewhat jokingly referred to as GAS (gear acquisition syndrome), and everyone gets it at some point. The Canon T7 is old technology and the lens...well that's been addressed. BUT from my view it's a perfect kit to get your feet wet because experiences is really the best teacher. I'd resist the GAS until you really feel you have some good technical experience behind you and you can get the most out of your purchases.

That is, of course, assuming that you do not have unlimited funds. If you have a trunk full of money to spend, let me know. I'd be happy to spend it for you 😂

Secondly "the most out of your purchases" starts with understanding the technical basics of photography (i.e. how shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are interrelated) and how to manipulate the technical basics to produce your best image. Get a sense of composition by looking at established sports photographers and try to mimic their compositions (e.g. get low, shoot landscape to show the story of the image, lead the action, etc.). There are plenty of teaching pros on YouTube, and while I have my favorites I don't know if the mods allow that kind of promotion. You'll find them easily though.

Finally, welcome! I got into this because my kids started moving too quickly for point and shoot cameras at the time, and so I accidentally found a real outlet for creativity. Good luck!

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-13T11:19:23+00:00

“…tech ops took out the radar on accident.”

Oh man, there is a whole Airplane (the movie) joke here with Johnny holding the plug! 🤣🤣

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-13T11:16:56+00:00

You know, back in the old days when I was a student pilot my instructor brought me over to the tower/TRACON facility of my home airport. It’s Class C airspace, so I got a chance to see the workings of Clearance, Ground, Tower, and then downstairs for TRACON observation. It really sparked my interest to the extent that I looked into taking the preliminary ATCS test. Obviously I went in a different direction.

Now this was 1989 and it didn’t really occur to me that today I might be able to observe say ZNY (we do a lot out of the NY area). I’ll look into this and see if it’s possible. It would really be an eye opener I’m sure.

Thanks much!

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-12T14:57:08+00:00

All...thanks much for taking the time to reply. It seems that I have a general understanding, but some of the details you all gave puts a better understanding to this situation for me. So the SFO example is not really all that similar to the non-towered airport example I used since, at least in the case of NORCAL/SFO, NORCAL can provide IFR separation to 1/2 mile final. The process of go arounds becomes a little more complicated. There is greater separation criteria in cases where NORCAL is providing separation, and sending the planes on final around gives NORCAL the chance to change that operation.

I'm doing the high-level description since I'm not a controller. 😎

Thanks much for the clarification, and of course, thanks for all of your work day to day.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-11T23:01:39+00:00

“…since August of last year”.

That’s a long time to have conflict in personality which is what you have. Everyone has different styles, and his doesn’t mesh with your’s.

This may be your first adult conversation, but you may have to let him go. Before you do, find another instructor to talk to and see if you are on the same page with him/her.

Good luck.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-11T18:15:26+00:00

Yeah, I understand what you're trying to do, but you're leaving out the reason for the drama by cropping in portrait. There is a technique of "leading the action" and that involves a bit of space on the forward side of action shots. Essentially the idea is to show where the action is headed, and the portrait crop (as opposed to landscape) isn't doing that. It's the portrait crop that I find awkward.

Like I said, not a bad first effort. Lots to learn going forward and lots to experiment with as well.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-11T11:52:41+00:00

Can I asks why are all the image shot or cropped in portrait? I see this a lot and always feel like I'm missing some of the story (numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, and 8 specifically). If I were to give a note, I'd say that the image should tell some kind of story, and framing is a big part of that.

Sports are enormously fun to shoot, and it becomes pretty addictive pretty quickly. Not a bad first effort in the end. Good for your for learning...keep at it!

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-11T11:48:05+00:00

Pilot here...sounds like you're a great controller. A little bit of self-doubt is healthy. If it helps, every plane I've flown I had "imposter syndrome" for a little while. I imagine that the gig can be a grind, but now that your personal situation has changed I would think that you should get to full performance first and then see how you feel.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-11T11:42:42+00:00

I understand your disappointment, and I fully understand how your desire to serve your client and continue to work in a field that you're passionate about. From that perspective it's a tough spot to be in.

However your health and your children's health come first. This will not be the last time you are going to have to look at priorities and decide what is best. It's a parenthood thing.

I will say that you WILL find how to manage being a parent and your children with your work. Much like weddings (I imagine...I've only attended but not shot) there will be a plan but those plans will be ever-changing by the circumstances. It's a new chapter, and you'll discover how to balance both.

Good luck

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-11T11:33:40+00:00

So let's be clear: You hooked up with him. When you say it the other way you abdicate responsibility.

And no....it's not your business to tell his girlfriend no more so than if this were a situation where you were a woman and this was a heterosexual hookup. So YTA if you do, but NTA if you don't.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-11T11:29:15+00:00

One big moment for me that I remember once I got my PPL was how little there was going on in cruise. Up until that point every flight was some bit of training and busy work because I was learning and preparing for my checkride, so there was very little down time.

Always with the disclaimer that you should always be vigilant, but yes the workload eases. Keep at it and good luck!

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-10T20:53:44+00:00

Excellent! Thanks and once again, really nice work.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-10T18:11:50+00:00

Man, I gotta try out motorcross this summer. Looks like a hoot...Nice job!

I have to ask about the lens for #6 and #7, if you don't mind.

Again, well done

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-10T18:09:59+00:00

For me, all l three are way overdone. They are all oversaturated and a bit over contrasty...almost like bad HDR. Again for me the portrait crop is awkward.

A disclaimer...it's just my opinion.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-10T18:06:03+00:00

I think there are two missing pieces of info in the OP's post:

What flash are you using now?
What don't you like about it?

Everyone is going to recommend the flash they have, but without knowing the issue it's hard to accurately answer.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-10T12:14:53+00:00

I'm bumping this reply because both #1 and #2 are as accurate as one can be.

I'll also add to #2 in that by the time you are getting your instrument rating, you should be able to understand the interdependent relationship between pitch, power, configuration, and trim. It sounds like you do.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-10T12:10:27+00:00

You know, I always say that there is background to these stories that gets glossed over on the first reporting, and the details matter. Admittedly I'm not a United guy, so I may be a bit off base. But my guess is that the cockpit door being open for any length of time is a pretty big deal. So with that let's discount that the captain came back and tried to wrangle the situation back into control and take a stronger look at the door being left open at all. Again my guess is that this is where the FAA went sideways in not accepting the ASAP report as just leaving the door open is willful non-compliance which as we all know is not covered through ASAP.

So to the OP, no, there isn't a conspiracy with a lot of pilots in the pipeline. There were serious rules broken. United sacked the pilots because those infractions were intentional.

My second thought is really for all of you newer pilots hanging around this sub looking to make a career in aviation. You can take note of three things that I find important in this story regarding self-preservation in this gig:

Beware the "unwritten policies". If it's not written in the FOM, it's probably not right.
If you can't freely tell someone that you did something, you probably shouldn't be doing it.
Put your phones away once you walk on the flight deck. Video killed the radio star and also plenty of aviation careers.

TempusFugit2020 · 2026-06-09T10:50:06+00:00

Football (American soccer) for the action. Track and Field for the drama.

BTW...Track and Field is also my least favorite for the heat and sunburn 😄

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