Triple Threat Jet

A common practice among photographers and artists is returning to the same source material, with each additional inspection revealing a new possibility not seen before. This happened for me with a source image for my Higher Plane mashup series, finding use for it across different thematic sub-sets, proving that sometimes the best way forward is to take a second (or third) look.

A Pause for Reflection

The original unedited source image is shown below, taken at the Pima Air & Space Museum near Tucson, AZ in January 2023.

The subsequent first iteration of A Higher Plane yielded a set of images with a common focus on surface textures, patterns and markings. In the case of the mashup shown below, the tail section from the source image is set against the reflective body of another jet. The jagged edge of the exhaust aligns with the mirrored highlights, creating the illusion of fuel burning off — creating a moment where textures alone carry the visual narrative.

Cloudy with a Chance of Jet Fumes

The jet tail and exhaust surface again in the work below from a second set of mashups in the series sub-titled "High Altitude."

Here the reflective background texture from the previous image is replaced by a background sky where the alignment of the cloud formation again mimics a fuel emission from the jet tail. In this case, the illusion is even stronger, thanks to the orange and yellow glow in the clouds. Like the earlier version, the result walks a line between assertive energy and quiet meditation.

Pause for Reflection, Take Two

The final variation is a straightforward crop of the original source. Only after zooming in to isolate it did I notice a small American flag tucked behind the jet near the bottom edge. That unexpected detail made it a natural fit within another thematic set titled "Maximum Zen," where stripped-down compositions further heighten the meditative qualities of a scene. With so little competing for attention, this version asks less of the eye but more of the imagination. Is the calm presence of the jet contours against an open sky enough on its own — or does the flag’s subtle intrusion carry the emotional weight?