A photographic journal by Brian Mazur

Aviation Museum

A real benefit of being a member of a photo club is that you can sometimes get special access to interesting places. Such was the case with the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, where the Urban Group of the RA Photo Club arranged after-hours​ access to the museum so that a group of photographers could make use of tripods and other gear to capture high-quality photographs that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to get. The other benefit of this outing was that it was warm! Much nicer to photograph is shirt sleeves indoors than outdoors on a cold January evening in Ottawa. The museum is basically a large climate controlled hanger filled with a wide variety of vintage through modern aircraft, together with components like engines, and various information displays. While there is a small reference to Canada's (significant!) Space accomplishments, this museum is almost entirely about aircraft. With so many aircraft next to one another, and with the hanger structure and lighting invariably getting in the way, I concentrated mainly on picking out interesting details using my 105 mm macro lens. Happily, there were many such details, and this was a very enjoyable evening.

The concentric circles in the midst of leading lines formed by the fins are the basis of this composition. The numbering on the fins also adds interest.
The concentric circles in the midst of leading lines formed by the fins are the basis of this composition. The numbering on the fins also adds interest.
This is actually part of a large artistic display at the museum, but what caught my attention were the different tones of the "fins" in the midst of lines formed by the enclosing "cage" and on the background wall.
This is actually part of a large artistic display at the museum, but what caught my attention were the different tones of the "fins" in the midst of lines formed by the enclosing "cage" and on the background wall.
The bold red colour grabs the eye here and is supported by leading lines from the propellers.
The bold red colour grabs the eye here and is supported by leading lines from the propellers.
There are several engines on display at the museum, but I found this one particularly attractive because of the stunning copper colour.
There are several engines on display at the museum, but I found this one particularly attractive because of the stunning copper colour.
This is another of the engines at the museum, where I've sought to draw attention to the circular shapes and radiating lines.
This is another of the engines at the museum, where I've sought to draw attention to the circular shapes and radiating lines.
This engine was part of a display and what particularly interested me was the discolouring caused by the hot exhaust.
This engine was part of a display and what particularly interested me was the discolouring caused by the hot exhaust.
This is only one small part of a complete Lancaster bomber at the museum. The discolouring of the metal and the triangular shapes formed by the shadows are what caught my eye.
This is only one small part of a complete Lancaster bomber at the museum. The discolouring of the metal and the triangular shapes formed by the shadows are what caught my eye.
Many vintage aircraft are on display at the museum, and harken back to an era of craftmanship. The beauty of the wood is the main feature of this propeller.
Many vintage aircraft are on display at the museum, and harken back to an era of craftmanship. The beauty of the wood is the main feature of this propeller.
↑Back to Top