Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped

[FlyboyGil]

Here's the story anyways

Here is a great optical illusion photo taken of a Lufthansa 747-400 and a United 757-200 that were on simultaneous approaches to runways 28L and 28R at San Francisco (SFO).

The separation requirement for flying parallel and simultaneous approaches is 225 meters (about 750 feet).

These two aircraft are at a safe distance for the approaches they are each flying. Due to the 747 being three times larger than the 757, and being slightly behind, it gives this incredible optical illusion.

[AirScorp]

I think the optical illusion here is "Where the heck is United's right wing". I know the wings are swept back a bit but, judging by how the engines look and trying to visualize, I just can't get to why there is no right wing visible.

Moreover the 747 is perfectly in focus. This photo is quite surely taken with a tele (zoom) lens and they have the tendency to have a very narrow depth of field (that is, you guessed it how far back can an object be and still be in focus).

So, being lazy to do some math, I have to guess this particular one is photoshop. But photos like this could easily be real. And it's still a beautiful photo!

Which reminds me, when I left Heathrow I saw an A-380. Gargantuan beast and a beauty to drool over!

[Rooster Cruiser]

Nick, its a real photo.  I haven't flown into SFO except as a passenger, but I flew the approaches to 28 Left and Right in the simulator during training.  The runways are very close together at 750ft (spot on, Gil), so they stagger the airplanes with the airplane landing on 28R far enough behind the 28L arrival that the capt can keep traffic for 28L in sight.  This photographer was far enough away that both airplanes were in focus.

Awsome pic you found, Gil!   

[AirScorp]

So it is real huh?  Checked it on airliners.net too where they have a bit better quality image too.
I really love it when my guesswork is wrong, so much more brain stimulus there I think that's my only excuse for too oftenly sounding like a smart-ass   

You're absolutely right, if he was far enough he could just focus on infinity and what I was talking about would be just irrelevant. It's a hell of a good photography job anyway..

Thanks for sharing Gilly! Round's on me!

[Oddball]

Nick you can see the right engine  under the fuselage of the united flight. The photo was well taken.

[leiafee]

Awwww the aeroplanes are cwtching up together, how cute ;-)

Jsut don't let a melodramatic reporter get a hold of that pic, or it'll be NEAR MISS TERROR IN THE SKIES

[tundra_flier]

The birds and bees of how little airplanes are made.   


Phil