Roost Air Lounge => Aviation related topics => Topic started by: FlyboyGil on June 29, 2008, 11:24:38 PM
Title: Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped
Post by: FlyboyGil on June 29, 2008, 11:24:38 PM
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.
Title: Re: Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped
Post by: AirScorp on June 30, 2008, 01:55:15 AM
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!
Title: Re: Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped
Post by: Rooster Cruiser on June 30, 2008, 02:16:11 AM
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! ::bow::
Title: Re: Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped
Post by: AirScorp on June 30, 2008, 03:29:53 AM
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 ::rofl:: ::rofl::
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!
Title: Re: Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped
Post by: Oddball on June 30, 2008, 08:54:06 AM
Nick you can see the right engine under the fuselage of the united flight. The photo was well taken.
Title: Re: Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped
Post by: leiafee on June 30, 2008, 08:30:07 PM
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
Title: Re: Real or optical illusion, or photoshopped
Post by: tundra_flier on July 07, 2008, 03:39:20 AM
The birds and bees of how little airplanes are made. :-*
