Travel – Page 2 – An Adventure in Awesome

The Royal International Air Tattoo: Redefining Awesome for Aviation Photographers

As a seasoned aviation photographer who has attended both the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) and Oshkosh Airventure, I can say with confidence that RIAT is a far superior experience. I’m sure some would argue that you can’t compare the two events. Because one being the world’s largest military airshow and the other is the world’s largest fly-in. But both are world-renowned events that draw thousands of aviation photographers. And that’s how I’m going to compare RIAT with Oshkosh Airventure, as an aviation photographer and not as an airshow enthusiast. My reasoning is threefold. First, the unparalleled variety of attending aircraft. Second, the nonstop and lengthy flying displays, and finally, the unmatched quality of the catering to photographers. It is because of this unique combination that sets RIAT apart from AirVenture.

Let’s start with the unparalleled variety of attending aircraft. Holy fuck! Where do I begin? How about the 20-plus F-16s on the “Viper Line” from 8 different Air Forces. Or the stunning pairs of F-4 Phantoms from Turkey and Greece. What about the two new F-15QA Advanced Eagles from Qatar. Plus, the six national aerobatic teams, which included Swiss Air Force Patrouille Suisse, the Saudi Hawks, the Finish Air Force Midnight Hawks, the RAF Red Arrows, the Royal Jordanian Falcons, and the petite Yellow Sparrows from the Royal Norwegian Air Force. Let’s not forget the single-ship demos. Starting with the Eurofighter Typhoon demos from the RAF, the Luftwaffe, and the Italian Air Force. Alongside two Gripen demos from the Czech and Swedish Air Forces. Also, those beautifully painted F-16 demo teams from Turkey and the Danish Air Forces. Along with the stunning Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 Hornet in it’s 100^th anniversary livery. Last but not least, the two noise makers. The RAF F-35B and the Spanish Navy EAV-8B demos.

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Most airshows and aviation events start flying about 11:30 to 12 o’clock and the show wraps up around about 3:30 to 4 o’clock. RIAT on the other hand, starts its flying displays at 9 AM and goes nonstop to 5 in the afternoon with little to no downtime in between demos. There’s not even a break for lunch! Quoting Top Gun, it’s a target-rich environment. Some of the highlights from this year for me were the Royal Danish Air Force F-16 demo that sported an amazing 50^th anniversary of the F-16 liveries, the Qatar agile fly by wire-controlled F-15QA, and the impressive fighter-like aerobatics of the Italian C-27J Spartan. It was refreshing seeing numerous European fighters as well as the rare bonus of the USAF flew two U-2s during Saturday’s show.

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Last but not least, the unparalleled level of catering to photographers.The Friends of RIAT (FRIAT)package provides the best access I’ve ever seen at any airshow or aviation event. It not only gives you entry to the show but also includes access to arrival and departure days with choice of various shooting locations including an elevated Grandstand along with flying programs available daily. No need to wait in long lines for food and restroom breaks. Within the FRIAT area, there is dedicated catering, private restrooms and not the standard port-a potty. There’s also luggage facility to securely keep your camera bag overnight, so you’re not having to lug it in and out of the show each day. Also, for protection from Mother Nature, the FRIAT enclosure has a large tent with plenty of tables and chairs to get out of the elements if need be. Conveniently, there is also a lense rental service within the FRIAT area with tons of big & fast glass for Canon, Nikon, and Sony mounts. Other included amenities are an official RIAT souvenir program, and exclusive FRIAT gift. This year’s gift was a gold-colored F-16 pin to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the Fighting Falcon.

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Let us recap, the Royal International Air Tattoo offers an unparalleled variety of attending aircraft, nonstop and lengthy flying displays and the unmatched services that caters to photographers. Oshkosh’s Airventure is an event that every aviation enthusiast and photographer should experience at least once in their lives. And if it blows you away, then go to the Royal International Air Tattoo to redefine awesome.

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Gear used:

Canon 90D (X2) shot in Shutter Priority from 1/60^th to 1/200^th with Image

Stabilizer turned off.

EF-S 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS ST

EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

EF 500mm F/4.5L USM

iPhone 11 Pro Max

If you missed Arrival Day, follow the link below.

“Seeking Unique Shots on Arrival Day at the Royal International

Air Tattoo 2024”

Also check out Departure Day

“Departure Day: Capturing the Magic of RIAT 2024”

Until next post,

Steven

“Seeking Unique Shots on Arrival Day at the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024”

This is the start of the most intense and diverse aviation venue I’ve ever attended. The Royal International Air Tattoo also known as RIAT, has been an event that has been on my bucket list for quite some time now. It is the world’s largest military airshow that goes from Wednesday to Monday. I Missed Wednesday due to My helicopter flight over London.

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Despite the scale of this show, the diversity of the flying displays along with the sheer number of attending photographers, capturing a unique image is going to be nearly impossible. But I can make a few of my images stand out by changing my shooting technique. It’s a widespread practice to shoot fast jets with the highest possible shutter speed to ensure freezing the motion to get the shot. I chose the gutsier move, to shoot much slower to give my images a sense of motion.

The major disadvantage of this is my keeper rate drops significantly which increases the chance of missing a shot. When I shoot with higher shutter speeds, my keeper rate is about 85 to 90% depending on the quality of light. The more light, the higher the keeper rate. But shooting with slower shutter speeds, it drops to 30 to 40%. It makes reviewing photos extremely painful. But when it’s done right; the sense of motion makes the subject jump out of the frame and it’s so rewarding. It should be noted that I wasn’t brave enough to do this the entire show and mainly used it during take-off and landings. But the more I did it, the more confident I became outside of my comfort zone. Enjoy my perspective of Arrival Day at RIAT 2024.

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Gear used:

Canon 90D (2X)

EF-S 18-135mm F/3.5-5.6 IS ST

EF 100-400mm F/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

Be sure to check out Show Days

The Royal International Air Tattoo: Redefining Awesome for

Aviation Photographers

Also check out Departure Day

“Departure Day: Capturing the Magic of RIAT 2024”

Until next post,

Steven

“Finding Purpose: A Personal Journey Through Solitude, Creativity and Real Friendship”

I came across this quote about valuable things on Instagram that resonates with me. “Things that fulfills you intelligently, emotionally, spiritually, and lovingly.” Since I’ve heard this, everything that does not fit into one of these categories feels more like an unsatisfying routine or chore. But it does shine a refreshing light on what’s important to me. And because of this newfound knowledge, I now have a new sense of meaningful purpose and a lasting peace of mind I have been lacking and seeking for so long. So, what do I Value?

My Time

Time is my most valuable nonrenewable resource. Once it is gone, I will never get it back. And to say, “I fucking hate wasting it is a huge understatement.” The simplest way I can define using one’s time is to dedicate it to a purpose. Ideally doing something that you find meaningful and enjoyable. Not every purpose is going to be fun and exciting, such as doing chores or running errands but are at least productive. Boredom is powerless over you when you wisely choose how to use your time. Fortunately, I learned long ago how to occupy my time purposefully and creatively. Such as working on my various projects and hobbies, learning something new from listening to audiobooks and insightful podcasts, and connecting with friends. I can’t think of a truer statement than that time flies when you are having fun.

My Solitude

The world has always been and will always be shit. But my solitude offers me a brief but refreshing escape from it. Where I can go untouched by its ever-present madness and constant distracting noise. My mind becomes quiet and still, allowing me to recenter on what is important to me. Such as my creativity gets a chance to re-energize and is free to run wild. In my solitude, time dilates making hours seem like days. Making a weekend feel more like 3 days and 4 if I’m lucky. I can recall a time in my life when my mind was so loud and constantly fixated on meaningless things that silence was rare and foreign to me. Now I’m able to appreciate the rejuvenating and calming nature of silence.

My Peace of Mind

I can’t talk about solitude without mentioning mental health. The cultural definition of happiness that is constantly being marketed and promoted is bullshit to me. That fantasy state of perpetual joy and lasting fulfillment, I feel is out of touch with reality and is unreachable. But if I replace happiness with peace of mind, that’s far more realistic and obtainable. The cheat code for managing and maintaining any kind of good mental health is knowing what your triggers are and having the tools to healthfully cope with them. Such as meditating, journaling, reading, exercising or practicing your spiritual and or religious beliefs. Whatever calms your mind and brings you clarity. If you have the means, find and talk to a trained professional. Life is too short to constantly have a noisy and cluttered mind.

My Creativity/Passions

I can best describe my creativity and passion by, it’s a fire that burns in my spirit. When it is lit, I can tell you what color the flames are along with how hot they are. Doubt and frustration can quickly snuff out its flame. But I love feeding it and enjoying its heat. I must be careful and not put too much fuel into the fire. When I do, I start to neglect other parts of my life. And finding that balance is crucial for me to have that life I love and enjoy. Writing, photography, and building scale models are my current passions.

My writing has become one of the most powerful ways for me to connect with myself and the world around me. It’s more than just putting words on a page; it’s a process of discovery and expression that challenges me to think deeply, confront my thoughts, and articulate ideas to share with others. Finding my writing style has been a challenging journey in itself, one that’s both intellectually demanding and rewarding. For me, writing is a creative outlet that allows me to share my passions, perspectives, and inner world to life in a way different from my other passions. Writing has taught me patience, persistence, and the importance of embracing imperfection—it’s a journey I’m grateful to be on and a passion I must continue to nurture.

My photography is the most cherished of my passions. I’ve never had a bad time behind my camera. Not to say, I don’t bitch up shots. (Which I still do 🙂) But even after nearly 20 years, I’m still deeply in love with the art of visual storytelling. I’ve been trying to capture a collection of images that are unique to me since I started this love affair. A portfolio of photos that tells a story of some sort that would be very hard, very expensive, or impossible to duplicate. As pretentious as that sounds, it’s something that I feel compelled to work towards. And not all my photos that I share fall into that precise definition. It’s about enjoying the photographic journey and not its destination. Look here to view My Photography.

My scale model building is my oldest creative passion. I started building models as a kid because there weren’t any toys of the airplanes that I wanted to play with. As I grew older, I built for model competitions. But after years of doing the necessary research and the tedious nature of correcting kits, I lost interest and didn’t build anything for years. While away in college, I studied industrial design focusing on model making. There I was exposed to a tremendous amount of new building techniques and materials that propelled my building creativity into a new level. After graduation and starting my new career, it was about 8 years before I felt the urge to build anything again. But I gave myself two conditions about getting back into the hobby. First, I wasn’t going to build anything real. My builds are 100% fantasy but deeply rooted in reality. And second, I was only going to build when I feel like building and not whenever I had the time. I’ve found working on projects while not inspired, leads to disappointment and frustration. Look here to see My Modeling Madness.

My Adventures

“I thought I wanted a rewarding career. But come to find out, all I wanted was a paycheck to pay for plane tickets!” Each adventure, whether it’s a short road trip or a journey halfway across the world, offers the thrill of discovery and the chance to step into the unknown. There’s nothing quite like wandering the streets of Tokyo, observing the pulse of life in a city that never seems to sleep, or plane spotting from a helicopter over LAX, photographing the world from a new perspective. Some of my most memorable moments come from these unique, sometimes one of a kind experiences—like hanging out of the back of a Sky Van, photographing warbirds over the countryside of England.

These adventures aren’t just about seeing new places; they’re about capturing memories that can’t be recreated and moments that feel like they belong only to me. I love collecting souvenirs like refrigerator magnets and Starbucks mugs from each place I visit, little reminders of those incredible moments. Traveling reminds me of the importance of living fully and embracing the unexpected. Even though I don’t get to explore as often as I’d like, each trip enriches my life, fuels my creativity, and reminds me that there’s always more to see and learn in the world. Head over here to see “My Adventures”

My Music

Music is comfort food for the soul and a playlist that can drive your mindset. Music that resonates with your spirit and is joyous to your heart. Music that ignites your imagination where you are free to explore new ideas. Listening to music due to mood and or when trying to alter it to be a better place. Also, to drown out the stupid, the condescending, the incompetent and the entitled. Heck, sometimes I have to drown out my own irrational and destructive thoughts to maintain my peace of mind. It should be noted that music can also be harmful to your wellbeing. Just like coffee, it can amp you up especially when it’s not needed. But being in tuned with one’s emotions can helped you weed out and remove music that is toxic to your mindset.

My Friendships

“People are like books. Some deceive you with their covers and others surprise you with their content.” And I love my friend’s content which are beautiful with their own unique flavor, seasoned with the ups and downs of life. Unapologetic about who they are and the lifestyle they choose to live, and a creative couple that make relationships look easy with their loving understanding and gentle support for each other. Making tacos together, taking road trips and especially when I have to draw 15 while playing Uno, my friends truly mean the world to me. Friends that won’t co-signed my bullshit, who genuinely cares about each other’s feelings and wellbeing. Who you choose to surround yourself with plays a substantial influence in the quality of your life.

In embracing these values—time, solitude, peace of mind, creativity, adventure, music, and friendships—I’ve come to realize that a fulfilled life is one built on intentional choices and meaningful connections. Each of these elements shapes my days, grounds my purpose, and brings a sense of calm and clarity. By focusing on what truly matters and letting go of what doesn’t align to me, I’ve found a path that feels both authentic and rewarding. Life is hard and its difficulties will never go away. But living with this newfound awareness has given me a peace of mind, reminding me daily of the beauty in a life guided by purpose and passion.

Until next post,

Steven

From the Thames to the Clouds: My Memorable London Adventures

Even though I rented a car during my trip to England, I didn’t feel comfortable driving into the heart of London having to deal with traffic and parking for my sightseeing adventures. I feel I would miss so much having to stay focused on driving. This meant from my hotel in Reading, I could take the bus to Pennington station, and from there ride the train into London. To venture into the unknown of such a large and world-renowned city was super exciting.

It was early Tuesday morning and with the help of Google Maps, it was time to answer the call to London. The bus to the Reading train station picks up in front of my hotel. After a short ride into downtown Reading, it was a brief but pleasant walk to the train station. Shoutout to Google Maps, it makes traveling abroad so much easier. It shows you what train to take (along with times), and how to get to the right track. And while on the train (same as when on the bus), it tells you how many stops until you reach your destination. I got to be honest, I thoroughly enjoyed the train ride into London. Was so peaceful and calming considering I’ve never been to London and my levels of excitement were growing as I got closer.

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Once off the train, I made my way through the stunning open space of Pennington station to begin my adventure. My goal was to try to experience the city by seeing the most iconic landmarks of London. Big Ben, the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Tower Bridge, the London Eye, and a lesser-known point of interest, the Graffiti Tunnel off Leake Street. Mother Nature was being kind, and the weather was picture-perfect. I spent the day navigating the city, had lunch on the Thames, bought souvenirs for my friends, and even rode on the underground a few times, which I found noisy but convenient. After a long but memorable day and a shit ton of walking, I made my way back to my hotel in Reading.

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After doing helicopter flights over LAX and Seattle last year, I had to do one over London. On very short notice and with the help of Wingly, I was able to search and book a site seeing flight. The day after my bus and train trip into London, I drove down to Blackbushe Airport to meet Simon, the pilot of my scenic flight. After a quick safety briefing, pre-flight checks of the Robinson R-44, and clearance for departure, we were in the air and headed to London. From Blackbushe airport, the planned route was to join up with the Thames, fly on the southern side up to the London Eye, and turn back on the northern side. Simon was very professional and informative about numerous points of interest up and down the Thames. The only downside of the flight was due to where we took off from. It took more time to get to London than the actual time we spent over it. This was due to my last-minute booking which really limited my choice of flights. Most of the longer scenic flights with closer departure locations were already booked well before I even had this idea. But it was still very exciting and got a unique perspective of London. Time for me to cut the chatter and let you to check out some photos from this adventure. Enjoy!

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