Photographing an Air Show

[Sean H]

My dad and I are going to an air show this Saturday and I was wondering if anyone has any techniques that could possibly help me capture this difficult subject. I just want to make sure I do it right so I don't waste waste an opportunity that doesn't come around too often.

Anything will help! Thank you!

[Dartmoor Snapper]

Originally Posted by Sean H

My dad and I are going to an air show this Saturday and I was wondering if anyone has any techniques that could possibly help me capture this difficult subject. I just want to make sure I do it right so I don't waste waste an opportunity that doesn't come around too often.

Anything will help! Thank you!

Hi Sean. Sorry young man, I'v only just seen this thread, so it's probably a little to late (its Saturday 11th) to help you for this show, but there will be others, probably many many others if you get the bug as I did many years ago. As you will probably be with your dad at air shows, I would suggest that if you have a photographer standing next to you at any show, don't be afraid to talk to him or her about photographing aircraft, they will normally be only to happy to talk to you and your dad about their passion for this very fast and exciting hobby. I shoot air shows all through the Summer months here in England. Could you tell us what camera equipment you will be using and let us know how you got on today. Hope all goes well, weather here not been great for air shows again this year, but the main thing is to enjoy it. It's a real buzz, and once you get into it, it's hard to get out of it.

[Sean H]

Thank you. Your not to late. the Air show doesn't start until later today.

I use a Nikon Cooplix P90. It isn't too fancy, but it does have a nice zoom.
The weather here hasn't been too great either. It rained a lot last night and now it is over cast, but they say it will clear up by the afternoon.

[sk66]

Shutter priority mode, spot/center metering, and panning... If it does get bright you'll probably need to add a stop or so of exposure compensation for flight shots.
good luck.

[Sean H]

Thank you!

I'll try my best! Were leaving right now.

[candidrachel]

This is probably a bit late but here is a tutorial I found on DPS:

Air Show Photography – A Guide for Beginners

[Sean H]

Haha, I don't think I did any of those things listed in the tutorial. But we had a great time and I think I got a few good pictures. The crowds weren't too bad because today was supposed to be cloudy for some of the show, even though it cleared up pretty quick, and tomorrow is supposed to be much nice. So we were able to pretty close to the front despite coming late.

I need to go through all the pictures, but when I find the ones I like, should I just post them here, or should I post them in SYS?

Thanks for the help everyone!