Air to air in 2007 by Darren Harbar

Fantastic shots Darren, Grace spitfire is awesome.
Thanks
Dean:)

wow!! I ve not seen this kind of air shots before joining this forum.

thax darrenharbar 🙂

Stunning quality images, I have very much enjoyed viewing them 🙂

The water mark subject is an interesting one.
I have found the same problems that have been mentioned above but tend to only post photos on the net that have been published already although there is always a risk of theft but thats the risk you take putting photos on the net without watermarks.
In the future I will also be putting more watermarks on photos, especially on those photos that are of desirable aircraft.
What Darren says makes a lot of sence and I should mention that I didnt really even see the watermarks on Darrens photos until the subject was mentioned as I found myself looking right through them as the photos underneath speak for themselves and will still sell to the people who like them and I wouldnt think it would detract andyone from buying a photo.

What I do know is that air 2 air photography is not always easy and weeks, sometimes months or years are spent waiting for the right time to get those photos and lots of planning goes in not to mention the costs of flying the session and when aircraft like a Spitfire is involved, it is an expensive exercise do one does need to protect images.

Likewise, I don’t notice the watermarks as the shots are so good that you do tend to look straight through them.

Darren

I fully understand the need to watermark your images. I’d rather see them on here with watermarks than not at all.

Cracking work mate.

The water mark subject is an interesting one.
I have found the same problems that have been mentioned above but tend to only post photos on the net that have been published already although there is always a risk of theft but thats the risk you take putting photos on the net without watermarks.
In the future I will also be putting more watermarks on photos, especially on those photos that are of desirable aircraft.
What Darren says makes a lot of sence and I should mention that I didnt really even see the watermarks on Darrens photos until the subject was mentioned as I found myself looking right through them as the photos underneath speak for themselves and will still sell to the people who like them and I wouldnt think it would detract andyone from buying a photo.

What I do know is that air 2 air photography is not always easy and weeks, sometimes months or years are spent waiting for the right time to get those photos and lots of planning goes in not to mention the costs of flying the session and when aircraft like a Spitfire is involved, it is an expensive exercise do one does need to protect images.

I won’t be popular by making this comment but can I ask Darren why he needs to virtually obliterate his images by watermarking and self promotion? Your air to air photography is outstanding, but is nonetheless on a par with other photographers who appear not to feel the need to self promote to the extent that you do. It absolutely ruins the shots you choose to share and detracts terribly from the experience of viewing them.

After a few incidents of photo theft recently I’ve been forced to start using watermarks. I’ve spent a lot of money on my equipment and a lot of time trying to learn how to use it. I don’t want that time and money being stolen by others so I now use the most subtle watermarks I can get away with. You might have seen my posts in the past expressing my hate for watermarks so I can understand your point completely, Kev. It has to be said, however, if I produced images that were even 25% as impressive as the ones displayed in this thread I’d put huge watermarks on them as well, and if I were good enough to make a living out of photography I’d certainly make sure my name was very visible.

Stunning work, Darren. An absolute pleasure to view, watermarks or not!

Paul

Fantastic photos Darren just amazing, You have a real talent there thanks for sharing.

I won’t be popular by making this comment but can I ask Darren why he needs to virtually obliterate his images by watermarking and self promotion? Your air to air photography is outstanding, but is nonetheless on a par with other photographers who appear not to feel the need to self promote to the extent that you do. It absolutely ruins the shots you choose to share and detracts terribly from the experience of viewing them.

If it is an attempt to discourage the right click save as merchants then I don’t see that it really has any purpose. If someone wants to purchase your images they will, however, by the same token, I don’t expect that those who would save your images would be inspired to buy one because of watermarking.

Regards,

kev35

Kev,

I think you know me well enough to be aware that I enjoy feedback and will happliy respond. I am not offended by what you have said, and to be fair, it’s not the first time that such comments have been made. I do appreciatte your positive comments about the images as well, but please let me explain my reasons for the watermarking and self promotion.

Many of my images have comercial value, and I can not therefore take any risk of them appearing in publications or on someones website without my permission. I know this type of watermarking can distract from the image, but it’s a case of doing this or not posting the images on the net. I like to share the images on this site, and indeed on a few others. Generally most viewers appreciate just seeing the images, and don’t object to me promoting myself in this way. On non comercial images such as airshows, I do not watermark the images in the same way.

As for the self promotion, I am a professional photographer who gets business from peaple viewing my work. My website is an important element of that. I am sorry if this is not ideal, but I feel it neccesary to protect and drive my photography. I do the same with my model portfolio work, which also gives me a significant return.

Best regards

Darren:)

I won’t be popular by making this comment but can I ask Darren why he needs to virtually obliterate his images by watermarking and self promotion? Your air to air photography is outstanding, but is nonetheless on a par with other photographers who appear not to feel the need to self promote to the extent that you do. It absolutely ruins the shots you choose to share and detracts terribly from the experience of viewing them.

If it is an attempt to discourage the right click save as merchants then I don’t see that it really has any purpose. If someone wants to purchase your images they will, however, by the same token, I don’t expect that those who would save your images would be inspired to buy one because of watermarking.

Regards,

kev35

Some right-click-save-as merchants will reproduce and sell as if their own work, or just sell on market stalls / car boot sales.
All those pictures, in a mount and even as small as a 6x 4 frame would sell for a few quid. At least watermarking will prevent most of them, or at least give them several hours work in photoshop.

I won’t be popular by making this comment but can I ask Darren why he needs to virtually obliterate his images by watermarking and self promotion? Your air to air photography is outstanding, but is nonetheless on a par with other photographers who appear not to feel the need to self promote to the extent that you do. It absolutely ruins the shots you choose to share and detracts terribly from the experience of viewing them.

If it is an attempt to discourage the right click save as merchants then I don’t see that it really has any purpose. If someone wants to purchase your images they will, however, by the same token, I don’t expect that those who would save your images would be inspired to buy one because of watermarking.

Regards,

kev35

Chox

4X – You lucky man!

Love that shot – very crisp! 🙂

Darren – hope you get a chance with the Reds sometime. I had four goes last year and be warned – it’s hard work when you don’t have the luxury of setting-up the photo! Sitting-in on a standard display is good fun but a real dawg for getting a nice photo!

Excellent photos btw – the Hind is a beauty!

How can anyone pick a favourite from those? They are all equally good i.e. excellent. If I had to choose one I’d have to go for either of the shots of the Bucker as it is: 1) not a common aircraft
2) not often that photos of this particular example are seen.

WOW some great photos there, very nice indeed, if I had to pick a favourite if would the the second shot of the Gladiator but they are all very good indeed so well done:)

I’m humbled Gavin to get such feedback from one who is a most talented air-to-air photographer in his own right.

Thank you

WOW some great photos there, very nice indeed, if I had to pick a favourite if would the the second shot of the Gladiator but they are all very good indeed so well done:)

Thanks for the feedback one and all – it’s a pleasure to share the images.

The Guinot shot is over Rendcombe REF, it was taken on a very cold day back in February. I felt very sorry for Lucy, as she was very cold on the wing!

As for this next year, there are a few projects already pencilled in, so I hope to bring you more images as the year progresses.

As to my ultimate air to air – well after the Spitfire, which was always top of my list I guess the DH88 would be quite high, but the BBMF fleet would be one that I would love to shoot, as also the Red Arrows. I can but hope!!

Prints of these images are available from the Grace Spitfire website (Spitfire images obviously) and the Shuttleworth shop sell prints of thier three airframes. We hope to offer a selection throughout the season.

You put us to shame!
(So you should, your pictures pay your mortgage 🙂 )

Thanks for the feedback one and all – it’s a pleasure to share the images.

The Guinot shot is over Rendcombe REF, it was taken on a very cold day back in February. I felt very sorry for Lucy, as she was very cold on the wing!

As for this next year, there are a few projects already pencilled in, so I hope to bring you more images as the year progresses.

As to my ultimate air to air – well after the Spitfire, which was always top of my list I guess the DH88 would be quite high, but the BBMF fleet would be one that I would love to shoot, as also the Red Arrows. I can but hope!!

Prints of these images are available from the Grace Spitfire website (Spitfire images obviously) and the Shuttleworth shop sell prints of thier three airframes. We hope to offer a selection throughout the season.

Great pictures as always Darren. Thanks for sharing all your others in 2007. I look forward to many more in 2008.

Best wishes and a Happy New Year to you.

I was totally blown away by those shots Darren, thanks for sharing. Hopefully you enjoyed every sortie and capturing shots like those was just icing on the cake. All the best for ’08.
Mike