Low-Level - Wales - 12th & 13th Nov 07

[TEEEJ]

I tried out the entrance to the Bwlch this week. Poor weather conditions all round, but the flying was fantastic. A real privilege to be a spectator!

12th Nov 07 - Bwlch Spur

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13th November 07 - Cad West

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0150.jpg

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[GOLF_BRAVO_ZULU]

The standard of your photographs is truly astounding. Thanks for sharing them with us.

GBZ

[Simmbob]

Congratulations on some fantastic pictures yet again.

Just a small thought occurred to me whilst looking at these pictures.
Do you FJ drivers ever get that subliminal thought ' What the hell am I doing in this multi million £ rocket, whizzing about and having fun' or is it too much hard work?
The closest I have come to that thought was when doing some gliding, I was tootling about going nowhere in particular when it hit me, 'what the hell am I doing up here!' I was laughing out loud, but only to myself at the absurdity of it.:O

[Wee Weasley Welshman]

Those photos are extremely good. You have a fine camera for certain. Keep up the good work,

WWW

[Mr Point]

Another brilliant set of photos! :D

[gashman]

The only times I've ever been able to think of "how did I get here", or "isn't this bizzare", has been on transit flights or waiting to get onto the tanker. Maybe I just have a lack of capacity, something my instructors always wrote on my reports...

[TEEEJ]

Thanks for the very kind comments.

[MAN777]

TEEEJ

How do I get to this location, shots are awesome ! It appears obvious that the pilots know your there, is there any websites with the information ?

Also how do know what to expect on the day ?

[TEEEJ]

Man,
Thanks. You'll find all the info you'll need in the following.

For the images taken on 13th November at Cad West.

http://www.warplane.co.uk/Wales.htm

Scroll down for

'Machynlleth Loop - Tal-y-Llyn pass west side (Cad West)'

and you'll find a grid and link to map

Link from

http://www.warplane.co.uk/

http://www.warplane.co.uk/location%20guide.htm

Another link with details/maps etc

http://www.lowfly.net/18.html

Link from

http://www.lowfly.net/

For the images taken on 12th November (mainly Typhoons) these were taken on the North side of the Bwlch (Bulk).

The location is called the Bwlch Spur (Anklebreak Ridge) and is right on the entrance of the Bwlch. Not used very often due to difficulties with sun position (shooting into it) and also a bit of a hike on narrow sheep tracks. Location well named as Anklebreak Ridge!

http://www.lowfly.net/25.html

A great link from Dutch aviation enthusiasts

http://franknoort.nl/wales/index.html

Just click on the 'select a page' on the right

Videos of various aircraft through the Tal-y-Llyn Pass where I took the images on the 13th.

Tornado F.3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwsZbDDBsM8

Harrier GR.9s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-AgSDkoFMw

Jaguar T.2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7jUa3uBbH0

Tornados

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll7iNcMCQk8

C-130

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgGfQG-pdHE&NR=1

Typhoons, Tornados and Hawks from the eastern side. Not very good for photography as they normally bank to starboard to enter the pass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jI7zh_fhgU

Videos of various aircraft through the main locations on the Bwlch

This video was taken from one of the main ledges. For the location where I was on the 12th (Typhoons) I was at the ridge immediately behind the Jaguar at time mark 00:11. The first Jag banks to port and is heading for the other location at Cad West. (13th images)

Jaguars through the Bwlch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssFasjDrYqQ

C-130s through the Bwlch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUETIh2uMLQ

Hawks through the Bwlch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0HD5-x5bu4

The routes have been used for years and aircrew are used to spectators. For me I just like to turn up and see what appears. It is sometimes a very long wait at the location that you have chosen.

It is always best to check the low-fly websites and check NOTAMs. All sorts of factors can contribute to lack of traffic through certain passes such as crop spraying or load carrying civilian helicopters through to sheep dog trials etc. My advice is to check out the low fly websites and study all the info/maps/routes etc before making a journey.

[jimgriff]

From someone who lives here (in the area) I think you should be awarded a Wales tourist Assoc award for bringing peep into our "patch".

[MAN777]

TEEEJ

Cheers, now thats what I call a helpfull reply.;)

[chinny]

TEEEJ

are u a professional photographer?

You get some great shots dude:ok:

Please keep them coming-wonderful.:D:D:D

VTSP
chinny

[TEEEJ]

Thanks.

Chinny,
It is just a hobby of mine. Seriously, anyone can take such images with a half decent digital camera and lens. The technology does all the work and all you have to do is position yourself and track the aircraft.

[BEagle]

The technology does all the work and all you have to do is position yourself and track the aircraft.


Surely it can't be that simple nowadays?

Whatever happened to skill - and the odd ounce or two of luck? You're not telling the whole truth - as your excellent shots prove!

For air-to-air 'back when', I always used Ektachrome 200 as it forced you to get the exposure right. Speed priority program and spot metering on my trusty Canon T-70 with a 35-200 Tokina manual zoom and UV filter. Position, zoom, frame, half pressure on a dark bit to trap the settings, adjust zoom and frame....CLICK!

[TEEEJ]

Oh believe me it is, Beags!
OK you can get lucky with the light and what your subject does (ie strobe)but the skill, IMHO, is mastering the programs on the DSLR and post editing. The amount of programs and set-ups on a professional DSLR is amazing.

All you have to do is master them to suit your subject and away you go. Auto white balance, auto ISO, noise reduction on high ISO, in-camera image sharpening settings, you name it. The speed of auto-focus on a quality lens with in-built motors is amazing. Shoot in RAW and images can be further adjusted and tweaked in photoshop. Photoshop really is the new darkroom.

The location where I captured the Typhoons is completely useless on a bright sunny day as you are shooting into the sun. It really has to be overcast in order to get anything useable out of it. I was hoping for some vapour, but the conditions weren't right for it. A fast mover round that corner with a cloud on its back would be quite a catch!

[Mockers]

From an ex-FJ operator - stunning...

[jumpseater]

completely useless on a bright sunny day
It really has to be overcast in order to get anything useable out of it

http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c270/2012images/rrjag/_B6O3165.jpg

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Excellent, saves me the bother of going back then....... :E

[harrogate]

This is an interesting one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSNIHvC3J0Y&feature=related

[TEEEJ]

Excellent, saves me the bother of going back then
OK, clever clogs! :) Great images!

I should have added depending on season and time of day, and what type of image you seek. The location would appear to be similar to Cad West during certain parts of the year and time of day. Some low-level snappers avoid Cad and do Corris in the morning and then move up to Cad West due to the sun. At both locations you have time windows dictated by the sun. The Bwlch, I noticed at this time of year, ends up in dark shadow later in the afternoon.

These are from a bright sunny day on the 15th November at the Bwlch Spur. Hardly any movements.

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0275HAWK.jpg

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0280HAWK199.jpg

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The Typhoons sadly stayed away up 40,000ft too high on the 15th!

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h261/TOMMYJO/DSC_0261BORDER.jpg

[Magoodotcom]

Hey TEEEJ

Lovely pics mate. Can I ask what equipment you use. I use a Canon 40D with a 70-200 f2.8 and a 1.4x converter. Get some pretty good results but would like to upgrade to a 400 f4 to get in a little tighter.

Keep up the great work.:ok:

Cheers

Magoo

[TEEEJ]

Hi Magoo,

Thanks. I use a Nikon D2X fitted with a Nikon Nikkor 300mm f/2.8. I have a 1.4x but only use that for airshows.

Cheers

TJ

[Magoodotcom]

Thanks TEEEJ

Did you shoot those helo pics at the British GP back in June (?) as well? Can't remember where I saw them (Prune perhaps?), but remember being blown away by them as well.

Keep up the good work!

[Wine Glass]

Those Rafales are awesome! :D

[Tyres O'Flaherty]

This is a Joke ? No ?

[TEEEJ]

Did you shoot those helo pics at the British GP back in June (?) as well?

Sorry, that wasn't me!

[ADUX]

Absolutely astonishing photos. Many thanks for sharing them.