Photos at Airshows

[Nicole]

This weekend there's an airshow just north of Wellington (Wings over Wairarapa (http://www.wings.org.nz)) and I'm thinking of going.

I've never tried taking pictures at this sort of event before (mainly because I've never gone to something like this), so I'm hoping that some people out there have tips on how to take good pictures at these sort of events. What sort of lenses do you use? What settings do you favour? Do you have any other tips for catching pictures of the planes while they're flying around?

Thanks in advance for any help here :) I'd love to see some photos with descriptions of how you took them if you've got them :)

[Nicole]

Ok, I'll throw some answers I've found online up to try to answer some of my own questions in case anyone else is interested:
-Air Show Photography : Don Atzberger (http://www.photo.net/learn/airshow/): Provides some pretty decent sounding tips about equipment, settings, and focus
-How to Photograph Airshows with Your Nikon 2x Digital Camera (http://www.digitaldarrell.com/Tips-D2x-HowToPhotographAirshows.asp): I don't have a 2x, but again, it gives some good tips about settings for taking pictures of the planes while in the air, and discusses using panning
-Air Show Photography Tips (Profotos Online Magazine) (http://www.profotos.com/education/promag/articles/jan2004/airshow/index.shtml): Suggests using the runway for 18% gray, and gives a lot of simple tips and possible settings for photographing the different types of planes you're likely to encounter at an airshow.

So, I'm still hoping that people here have had some experience with this, otherwise I'll just reply to my thread again after the show this weekend ;)

[Gunsotsu]

I'll throw another couple at you Nicole:

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Photography/Airshows/index.html
http://www.fencecheck.com/forums/index.php/board,32.0.html

This is an area I know a bit or two about. Nowhere near an expert, but a talented amateur.

First bit of advice I'd pass along, get there early. Get there early enough to beat the crowds and set up as close to show center as you can. I usually try for right of center, but the closer you get the better. If the airshow is multiple days, I'll generally spend one shooting nothing but the air, and the other shooting the statics.

Once the show starts and the crowd builds, shooting will get more and more difficult given the throngs of little kids pushing and shoving for the best view. Don't give it to them. This may sound harsh, but little people will mess up your shots quicker than anything.

That being said, if you have an accomplice, have them next to you the whole time. Having a couple of folding chairs helps, but once the show starts I spend most of it on my feet anyway.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/131/343447751_22b0952123.jpg

Avoid a tripod or even a monopod, it only gets in the way when the really fast birds fly by.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. And wear sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat. I've looked like a lobster too many times after shows for my own good.

Follow through on your shots, but that's part of good panning anyway.

Bring plenty of memory and extra batteries. Most folks that have been shooting airshows a while will wear a photo vest, but I find a good quality fishing vest just as effective for hauling around all your kit.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/150/360733604_ba86fe585a.jpg

Try to shoot high shutters for fast movers, and slower shutters for the prop guys. I generally try to shoot in Tv at 1/750+ for jets and 1/180 and below for anything with a propeller. This is more to capture the prop circle that can really make an image.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/136/360639921_8e422b9554.jpg

Be prepared for disappointment. Missed timing, blurry shots, etc. Since your shooting digital, shooting yourself happy isn't an issue, but don't go through the process of deleting all those less than perfect shots until after you go home. You never know what you will miss in the air while you delete those pictures.

That's all I can think of at the moment. Sorry it's so scattered, but I typed it as I thought of it. Good luck and looking forward to seeing those shots.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/140/355243261_ea9a100c7c.jpg



PS- Looking at the venue, I hope you'll be facing south for the show, that way you won't contend with the sun so much. And ordinarily I'd suggest earplugs, but from looking at the list of acts, you probably won't have to contend with the noise from the fast movers much.

[Nicole]

Thanks for those tips and links. You've got some fantastic photos there. A very talented amateur indeed :) Hopefully I get a few shots as good as yours!
Thanks :)

[Seltzer]

Wow, some great tips there Gunsotsu, don't suppose you would be interested in writing a bit more into the tutorial on that? :D
What lenses do you use/recommend for the shots? I presume a lot of them are at a good distance.

[Gunsotsu]

Oh, I'm sure I could whip something up.

Edit: I whipped it up (http://digital-photography-school.com/forum/showthread.php?t=593).

[burridge]

Hello,

I am bumping this post due to being invited to a Combat Search and Rescue Demo.

I am a beginner in photography and do not have a DSLR.
I currently have a Canon Power shot sx100 is.

When I take pictures of our children I tend to get a lot of ghosting because of their movement. So I can only imagine what I'll get from a plane.

I'm really excited about the opportunity of being able to go but would appreciate any advice on how to take pics with my point and shoot.

Thank you in advance for any input.
V/R DB