airborne
Posts: 38
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: Liberty Twp,
OH, USA
Status: offline
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Roger,
Yes, I use autofocus 99.9% of the time. The only time I don't is if the subject if off center in the frame and holding still (portrait).
Yes, I use auto settings, but not all the time. For jets or glow powered machines, the "Sport" setting usually does the trick.
However, for anything with props, you have to continually play "catch-up" using a shutter priority mode. The reason for this is to balance getting a good sharp focus and getting a prop blur as well. Also, I shoot as much as possible in RAW mode. It gives me a great deal of lattitude in adjusting the photos post-shooting.
Here's few problem shots:
One of the product review models - a Hangar 9 Edgde 540. Great color, sharpness, composition - but no zero blur. 
http://www.airbornemedia.com/rcu/hangar9edge540.jpg
The first time I went anywhere with this setup was Oshkosh a couple of years ago. I fought my way to a great seat along the flight line and had rows and rows of P-51s, P-38s, etc. come right by me. I started shooting away, but didn't check any photos because I was caught-up in the moment. Imagine how better some of these could have been with the right shutter speed!
http://www.airbornemedia.com/rcu/excalibur.jpg
http://www.airbornemedia.com/rcu/green.jpg
http://www.airbornemedia.com/rcu/old-crow.jpg
Usually something in the 1/250th will do the trick, but it depends on the available lighting and the subject. Also, electrics sometimes require a slower shutter speed because the RPM of the prop is much less.
Software - Photoshop (currently using CS2). No questions. As I do this for a living, I have to have the best software. Photoshop is the unquestioned leader in photo enhancement, adjustment, etc – but it will cost you.
Photoshop LE is a less costly alternative and you should be able to get decent results with it. For simple color correction and cropping, I would imagine most any photo-enhancement-type software could work, but I don't have any experience with those.
As for my wife outdoing mine, well you may very well be right. Sometimes when we need to do a product shot, there is no other pilot available so I'm at the sticks. Although she doesn't have a lot of time on the camera, we constantly talk to each other during the flight(s). I can usually "pose" the model as needed for her because I know what I'm after. Then she points and shoots away. It really works well.
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RE: Canon 20d pic - 
