Retired!
by Zeus

Comment by AP:
Well I'm sorry I doubted that it was 30 seconds - I didn't think it was possible to sit still that long and not blink and still make a photo like this - also thought the radar would be blurry, and the clock or other instruments would move, and that the monitors would be completely overexposed, but I've never been inside of a control room, haha.

Retired!
by Zeus

Comment by Zeus:
Yes, it was 30 seconds. Holding still for 30 seconds is a bitch! Besides the ambient light in the dark TRACON, I used a hand-held flash unit 3 times at different angles. That controlled the shadows. I also used the rule that someone else can operate the camera as long as I set it up and direct the show, which I had to do since I'm the subject. I knew it wouldn't score well, but it fit the challenge.

For quite a few years I've been doing photos like these for the controllers who move on to other facilities, or retire. The facility picks up the expense. This time, its me who retired, on January 3. So far, retirement is great!

Retired!
by Zeus

Comment by AP:
30 seconds???? I don't see it

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by Zeus

Comment by flaherma:
That is an incredibly long time to hold a pose!

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Comment by Teafran:
I assume that this was taken with ambient light in a dark room which is quite remarkable given that there is a lot of detail and very little shadow. Very competent capture. Well done.

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Comment by RyanW:
i see the 30.25 seconds on the clock, but it's all very crisp. i doubt this was a 30+ second exposure.

Retired!
by Zeus

Comment by giantmike:
Interesting choice for the challenge. Looks like you can see some dots on the radar moving around as proof of the 30 seconds.

Retired!
by Zeus

Comment by nygold:
Cool shot, alot going on here.
Did this guy really stay still for 30 seconds?

Caution Wake Turbulence
by Zeus

Comment by nam:
Incredible capture and beautiful as well. Congratulations on the top ten.

Caution Wake Turbulence
by Zeus

Comment by tanguera:
What an amazing image. Congrats not only on the top 10, but also about the safety for the public thing :-)