Photography Tip #36: Airplane Barrel Rolls

Dear Irondale Post,

What's the best camera lens to use when photographing an airplane doing a barrel roll while riding in a plane doing a barrel roll?

Signed, Ima Knotreil

Dear Ima,

We would use the black cap that goes on the end of the lens because there's no way in H@*# we'd photograph such a thing ... however, we know Bob Farley of F8 Photo, who IS crazy enough to do such a thing and share the results with our iPost readers.

To clarify, "crazy" is riding upside down in planes not sharing great photos with iPost.

The video (above) is a selection of still images of the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team executing a barrel roll near the Bessemer Airport last Sunday afternoon.

Photo by Bob FarleyThe team was in Birmingham as part of the the 2009 Barber Vintage Festival. The festival featured bike shows and a swap meet as well as an air show by the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team.

The team flies the North American AT-6 Texan. The Texan first appeared in 1939 and was designed as a trainer for the United State Army Air Corps. According to the company's website, the plane is still flown as a basic trainer and as a light attach aircraft by the air forces of 22 countries.

Photos / Video courtesy of Bob Farley of F8 Photo.