Air Show Photography

[fbroschart]

Hi, just looking for some words of wisdom. I'm going to our air show at the Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego this weekend. Normally we have sunny blue skies here, but they are forecasting clouds and a chance of sprinkles. My question is with the variations of sun and clouds is it better to shoot using Shutter Priority or Aperture Priority? With the variables in lighting and the quick action I'll be trying to capture I'm guessing Shutter Priority would be better. The Blue Angels flying team, which is the feature presentation will be starting around 3:00 pm in the afternoon. What shutter speed would you start with??

Thanks!!

[old_tv_nut]

Shutter priority is useful for shooting prop planes - you can choose how blurred the propeller will be.

More important with some cameras is the auto-focus response. If you get unreliable results with autofocus (due to going from a clear sky that the camera can't figure out to the planes), use manual focus set to infinity for consistent shots.

[freybear3]

Airfest 2009 at Rockford, Illinois KRFD F-22 Raptor, B-1, Harrier, F-18, Apache, Vapor trail, fire, etc... - a set on Flickr
here is my photos from a recent airshow

i shot most of my photos in manual focus.

on auto features

[inkista]

Originally Posted by fbroschart

What shutter speed would you start with??

For me, with the Blue Angels, I'd be shooting in Av and wide open to get the fastest shutter speed at all times. They move FAST, and I shoot with a 400mm f/5.6 prime, so for me, the faster the better. For the prop planes, though, I might switch to Tv or M to control the shutter speed and get the amount of propeller blur I want.

What might be more important than the shooting mode are the metering and autofocus modes you use. Spot metering and servo autofocus are definitely handy when shooting aircraft.

And honestly, even with the forecast? Bring a hat and sunscreen. The last time I went to the Miramar Airshow (when it was NCAS and still had Top Gun, which dates me), I got so sunburned...

[fbroschart]

Thanks for the insight guys....wish I had a 400mm lens that would be sweet, 200mm is as high as I can go right now, but it will have to do. I'll post something in SYS if I get anything stellar.

[freybear3]

inkista is right.......bring sunscreen! i have been sunburnt many times, lol
even on cloudy days!

can't wait to see your photos!

[Parry]

300mm on a Canon at a rather grey day in Southport, England...

mostly of microlights, model aircraft, a dog show(?!) and then the Red Arrows...
Parry's Photos :: 2009-09-27 - Southport Airshow

all done on manual with auto focus...

[fbroschart]

Well here's a link to a few of my shots from the air show. The lighting was challenging and finding a good spot to get pictures was tough. I kept getting yelled at by people. Guess they don't like photographers!

Miramar Airshow 2009 - a set on Flickr