JFK Spotting Recap 10/21

[kc2aqg]

Hi All-

My parents were returning today from their trip up to Rochester on jetBlue to visit my brother in college, so I decided that I would head out and do some spotting before they arrived into JFK. I went to Firestone as they were on the 31's and hung out from 12 to around 1:30 (btw, I'm sorry I couldn't stay out longer to catch up with Phil & Tommy, but c'est la vie) I caught some nice shots that I haven't quite gotten before. The most exciting part about these shots is that this is my first attempt at editing photos with my brand new MacBook Pro in iPhoto! I realize that the sky is grainy in most of the shots and I definitely had some issues with my ISO/Exposure settings in some of the shots that I tried to fix up, so I know they're no where near perfect, but I think it's a good start. I know I'm a few versions behind on my PC version of Photoshop (version 6.0), but I'm convinced that iPhoto kicks the crap out of it. So without further adieu, here are the photos...

Finally caught a shot of the jetBlue Simpsons A320 after flying on her almost 2 months ago. I didn't realize, but that decal really is small...
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04186.jpg

A much overexposed Lufthansa 744
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04179.jpg

CargoLux 744F
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04183.jpg

Another overexposed shot of a BA 763
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04194.jpg

Virgin A346
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04202.jpg

Alitalia 772
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04245.jpg

Air France A332 (this was a surprise since I thought the only AF A330 flight was the late evening arrival & early departure that had been discontinued)
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04254.jpg

Cathay Pacific A346 (I think he has changed his schedule as he seems to be coming in around 1 PM or daily)
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04267.jpg

Your standard North American 763 shot for Phil
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04208.jpg

My catch of the day: Swiss A343! I've been waiting for this one for a few weeks
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04227.jpg

And finally, a shot of my parents A320 arriving as jetBlue Flight# 27
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u246/MD80MadDog/JFK%20Firestone%2010-21-2007/DSC04276.jpg

Hope you enjoyed! Please leave any comments if you see a blatant mistake I am making with the editing or exposure settings, as I'm new to messing with both of these.

[nikon50bigma]

Man, I wish I went out there today.
Looks like you guys had perfect sky today.
Low humidity.

[stuart schechter]

Get CS3 and then come talk to me about iphoto(blech). Nice edits for your first time.

[kc2aqg]

Ah, but for the expense of CS3. But you are right, I've heard great things about CS2 & CS3.

[Iberia A340-600]

I arrived at JFK around 3:00pm after sitting in traffic for a very LONG time but it was a beautiful afternoon and I had a great time. Not a single cloud in the sky today, just amazing.

They switched to 22L around 5:05pm and we headed over to the mounds. Always a pleasure to see Phil, Tommy, Moose, Mel, Mike, and Jakub at the end.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/ib346izx.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/ly7444xela.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/lt332daplg.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/lo763splpc.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/kw7729kaoa.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/kl772phbqm.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/ei333eiord.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/aymd11ohlgc.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/dhn365dh.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/jj332ptmvg.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/vs744gvwow.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/va320n621va.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/ai772vtail.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/ts738gxlaj.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/dl763habitat171dz.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/qf744vhoee.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/my762n253my.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/ek346a6erh.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k170/swfshots/lh346daihm.jpg

[adam613]

I MISSED HABITAT AGAIN!!!!

I wish I had been able to go out today...the weather was absolutely perfect, and there was Habitat. Great shots, all.

(According to ACARSD, she was in FLL on Wednesday...Mark, did you catch that?)

[nikon50bigma]

Wow, Iberia A340-600, great job with the shots from the mounds- nice low lighting.

[moose135]

I really haven't gotten to go through my shots from today, but here are a few I did.

When he's not taking pictures, Phil is out terrorizing seagulls.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/211260419-L.jpg

Sending for re-enforcements.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/211259766-L.jpg

Mel and her new toy.
http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/211259992-L.jpg

After leaving us, Mike B. calls 911 to report a suspicious group taking pictures of airplanes.
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/211260146-L.jpg

Oh yeah, we saw some airplanes out there too...
http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/211254142-L.jpg

http://moose135.smugmug.com/photos/211254354-L.jpg

It was a great day out today - perfect weather, a good group of folks, even a brief, friendly visit from NCPD.

[nikon50bigma]

Hey Moose care to share what happened with the NYPD?

[moose135]

It was Nassau County PD - he rolled up, said they had gotten some calls. He recognized Phil from other times he had seen us there. Phil gave him a business card, he asked how long we would be there, and he left, probably less than 5 minutes total. As he was pulling out, a second patrol car pulled in - they chatted for a few minutes and both left.

[INNflight]

Brilliant shots guys....love the EK 340 and the Habitat pics!

Seems like you had a good day....but Phil better stays away from my gulls next time :evil:

[PhilDernerJr]

Moose always manages to capture the most flattering photos of us. :roll:

It was a great day of classic sunrise to sunset spotting for me. We had a good crowd, good food, great weather and a positive police experience.

My photos did not come out very well. I'll post a few later.

[Bellucciman]

Just too damn funny Moose!

What a beautiful day it was out there! It was great seeing everyone yesterday, I'm looking forward towards seeing all the photos! Thank you for the exposure tips!

Here are a couple of mine, still in the process of editing the rest:

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_A310_DHL_N365DH_10_21_07_3042.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_MD11_FA_OH-LGC_10_21_07_2955.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_A330_SA_HB-IQH_10_21_07_2864.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_767_TK_CN-RNS_10_21_07_2882.jpg

[mirrodie]

Some real nice shots there and a brillaint blue sky.
We thought of joining you.
Thanks for sharing some photos. :)

[AirtrafficController]

Great shots everyone. Looks like the weather was awesome. I wish I was able to go.

[lijk604]

I was spotting from the backyard, so I saw a lot of traffic at 9000'. I'll get out again hopefully someday soon.

[Bellucciman]

Here are a few more. Let me know how my editing came out!

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_747_VA_G-VWOW_10_21_07_3059.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_767_UBA_VP-BUE_10_21_07_2907.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_777_EA_SU-GBP_10_21_07_2914.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_A340_RJ_JY-AIA_10_21_07_3015.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_777_KA_9K-AOA_10_21_07_2948.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_757_EOS_N405JS_10_21_07_2986.jpg

http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u127/Jetblue22L/JFK%2010-21-07/JFK_A330_KLM_PH-BQM_10_21_07_2969.jpg

[Iberia A340-600]

Your edits look very sharp and crisp, John. :)

[PhilDernerJr]

John, amazing quality on those. EXCELLENT results. Tack sharp.

[T-Bird76]

Here's a few of mine from the Sunday.

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/AI_777_JFK_102107.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/Alital_JFK_777_102107.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/Delta_NCTW_757_JFK_102207.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/Etihad_A340_JFK_102207.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/EverGreenSuper_747_JFK_102207.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/Habitat_JFK_102107.jpg

http://www.nycaviation.com/hosting/PHIL_BAYHOUSE_JFK_102207.jpg

[MarkLawrence]

Wonderful shots everyone!!!!

[nikon50bigma]

Bellucciman, great shot of the almost head on Virgin Atlantic.
All deffinatly sharp and crisp.
Excuse my stupidity on this one but;
why does that Evergreen Tanker fly to JFK, cargo runs?

[moose135]

why does that Evergreen Tanker fly to JFK, cargo runs?

Yes, it hasn't been approved for fire tanker use, so it operates cargo flights.

[jran225]

Tommy, where was that last shot taken? And what's Phil eating? :)

Greets,
-Omar S.

[PhilDernerJr]

For years I've heard here and there about a restaurant/bar near JFK, but no one ever hyped it up or pushed it much.

A few weeks ago I went there with coworkers and realized it was a place on the water directly under the 31R approach! It's amazing!

I was eating a fried shrimp basket and having a Yuengling.

This place is great. It's starting to get chilly, but once it warms up again, we should all go.

[lijk604]

Bellucciman, GREAT shots & edits.
What camera/lens setup were you using?

[mirrodie]

Mike, really nice Virgin Atlantic 747. That image gives it such a presence!

(the edits look good but dont take my word for it. seriously)


nice capture on the Etihad Tom.


Phil, was the food better this time around at the restaurant?

[PhilDernerJr]

Yeah, I liked it much better. (to those wondering, I had a dish last time that I didn't enjoy)

[mirrodie]

In that photo of Phil looking up at the 747, are objects closer than they appear?

Meaning, was that plane higher or lower than the photo suggests? Tom, taken with the 17mm or 22? 17 right?

[PhilDernerJr]

I would say it's a fairly accurate representation, but if anything, it's actually lower than it looks there.

I was using a 24-70mm, and was certainly using the 24mm end of the lens.

[Bellucciman]

Thank you for the commpliments. I was given some good advice from everyone on Sunday. All are excellent photographers, it's nice to learn!
I was using a 75-300 f5.6 AF lens for Konica Minolta. I was telling Phil and Tommy that I'm probably going to join the Canon Club within a few months. I just need to figure out what model.