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In my years of aviation photography, I have learned a ton by just simply watching what professional and top amateur photographers do. Yes, I have been shooting way long time ago in the Kodachrome era as a child in the mid 1970s but all this has helped me tremendously in shooting natural without the help of HDR, excessive photoshop, cropping, etc. Here are a few things that I learned to look for trying to get the best possible natural shot.

1. Sunlight is important. Try to shoot in low sun especially early morning or late afternoon. The one good general rule is that all the wheels must be lit up in sunlight. That tells you that the proper angles are there. Watch out for too low of sun which turns yellow and can get the shades of the photographer and other things in the way.

2. Remove unsightly things.......tow bars, covers (canopy, engine, pitot tube), cones, oil cans, and anything else around the plane. When you do a setup for someone, you are in control of the photo. All these must be removed for a professional-level shot. The only thing I may allow is a wheel chock, but place it in the back wheel furthest away from you and try to get one with a black color to blend in - but if you don't need it, don't use it.

3. Ugly ramps. One of the most important things is the ramp. It is oily? Does it have manhole or rain gutters in the foreground? Are the ramp cracks too deep and too strong where a big line gets in the way? Positioning the plane in the cleanest ramp possible is very important to get away from unsightly things that can stand out and ruin your photo. Never try to set the plane perpendicular to a line or crack as that will be highly seen in the shot. Oily ramp is a problem at OPF (Opa-locka Airport in Miami) - great planes but ugly ramps full of oil.

4. Background. Try to position the plane with the cleanest background possible. Avoid other parts of planes sticking out behind your main subject like a tail from the nose making it look like a rhino etc. Also look out for electrical poles, light poles etc.

5. Try lower angles, sometimes shooting from your stomach. These are great shots and giving space underneath the plane is a very nice shot.

6. Watch your shade. A photographer's shade in the foreground is very unprofessional even though the plane may look good. Angle the plane and your position so that YOUR shade is not visible.

7. During night shooting, try to do something to give the entire plane some light, whether using remote lights or building lights. Do not use too long of exposure because background lights "expand" or "fog out" and then begin to cover your plane. When shooting night airliners on a ramp try to get to a location with plenty of light. Just lighting on the tail but a dark fuselage is not that good. You need full light on a plane. Sometimes while shooting bizjets, I can use the headlights of my car and that will work. Make sure they are not too strong. Also, having the interior lights on works real nice. You can go steps further and set up remote flashes behind the wheels but BE CAREFUL when a plane has engines on because things can get sucked in. Also, careful shooting props or helicopters. If you set up remote lights, they can get sucked into a prop or rotor damaging it. Use common sense.
NEVER use flash for turning props or rotors. They freeze the action.

8. Have fun - EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT EXPOSURES AND POSITIONS. After all, a setup is likely your call so you are in control. Avoid high sun shots. Plan things out with the customer to get that good sun angle or night light.

9. And don't forget, for running props, lower that shutter speed!!!! If hand held go lower than 1/250 or use a tripod for lower speed on setups!

10. Avoid excessive fisheye lens shooting. These make planes look like gliders. Although artsy to a few, they are also nuisances to seasoned collectors of images. Wider angles like these are good for cockpit shots, cabin shots, airport shots, or control tower shots as examples.

11. Interior photos - like those of bizjets - try to do them at night or in a dark hangar but with the natural interior lights on. Doing them during the day can bring in unwanted sunlight into some seats and tables making it look ugly. Cockpit shooting should also be at night and without a flash as flashes will white out a glass cockpit or window. Put the camera on a tripod and give it a few seconds with the natural interior lights and all instruments on.

If anyone wants pointers on position shooting and setting up planes for a photo shoot, please feel free to drop me a line. I like sharing my ideas with serious photographers.

FernandezImaging

Seem like good tips for professional, set-up shots.

Those of us non-professionals without airport access will continue taking our cloudy, clutter-filled, dirty-ramp, busy-background, partially lit shots with our shadows in the foreground.

One question though - what does this mean:

FernandezImaging wrote:10. Avoid excessive fisheye lens shooting. These make planes look like gliders. Although artsy to a few, they are also nuisances to seasoned collectors of images

Surely a "seasoned collector of images" will collect those images he/she likes, whether they're fisheye or not, correct?

vikkyvik wrote:

FernandezImaging wrote:10. Avoid excessive fisheye lens shooting. These make planes look like gliders. Although artsy to a few, they are also nuisances to seasoned collectors of images

Surely a "seasoned collector of images" will collect those images he/she likes, whether they're fisheye or not, correct?

This. Some people like Rococo paintings. Some people like pop art.

Depends why you're collecting, viewing, or taking the photos, I suppose. I met a guy at OUL who had a wad of prints in his pocket going way back, absolutely no interest in uploading them whatsoever, and more emphasis on getting the reg in the shot than getting the trees out of it (although he later showed me a monstrous saw and confessed to doing some "gardening" in between movements ).

For him, it's all about the history. And indeed, it was pretty nice to stand there with him, in full view of the new terminal extension, looking at shots from before that terminal even existed. He'd probably keep shots that I'd bin without hesitation, and vice versa.

FernandezImaging wrote:9. And don't forget, for running props, lower that shutter speed!!!!

I ALWAYS forget this. Always, always, always.

ShanwickOceanic wrote:

FernandezImaging wrote:9. And don't forget, for running props, lower that shutter speed!!!!

I ALWAYS forget this. Always, always, always.

Indeed - and this is why!

ShanwickOceanic wrote:

FernandezImaging wrote:9. And don't forget, for running props, lower that shutter speed!!!!

I ALWAYS forget this. Always, always, always.

I almost always remember it.

What I do forget, though, is to switch it back. Which leads to a lot of mildly blurry jet aircraft shots...

ShanwickOceanic wrote:Depends why you're collecting, viewing, or taking the photos, I suppose.

EXACTLY.

Like I said, the OP's tips seem like good tips for professional shots that you're able to setup to your needs.

For me personally, I love sunset (yellow/orange sun) shots, I love trying low-light/no-light shots, I love backgrounds with airport or landscape detail in them, etc. And I love uploading them, whether folks will like them or not.

I'm not even sure when I last went and shot in "normal" sunlight.

However, I do now have the idea in my mind to try and get some more set up shots; maybe at a small local airport or something....

vikkyvik wrote:For me personally, I love sunset (yellow/orange sun) shots, I love trying low-light/no-light shots, I love backgrounds with airport or landscape detail in them, etc. And I love uploading them, whether folks will like them or not.

I'm not even sure when I last went and shot in "normal" sunlight.

Likewise for me, I love the golden glow a sunrise/sunset gives. Best time of day for me personally. I find day light shots a tad boring sometimes.

These tips are not for professional photographers only. They are pro level but they are for everyone. Many photographers whether top or not get some ramp access at times. I don't always and very little chance. Most of the times it is because I do a set up of a plane........but the tips are those brought along to me by those who have been really successful at the hobby and I try to emulate and follow what they do and their approaches - and they are good tips.....and by looking at interesting old photos.

As for fisheye, it is not that they are not good, just that many collectors of images, especially during the slide era, detested that shot so there is a bit of negativity when it comes to that. My own personal thing is that I think it looks neat at one time or bad at another. I do not suggest someone getting used to shooting fisheye all the time and believe me, there is one person that may make a book and most of his shots will be fisheye. But it is all up to the photographers taste.

Let me give an example. One thinks that those fisheye lens shots of those planes taking off (on rotation) standing next to the runway, are dramatic but the fact is the closer you are, the more the wings get in the way and you lose titles and artwork. Titles and fuselage art are very important to get. If you were to move back and shoot it more side on at 50mm, you would get all the artwork and titles.

Why is this? Well - imagine you are doing work for Frontier Airlines. If you were right up to the plane, the wing would block most of your titles. Frontier would look like FR*****R. Same as some approach shots. Yet, if you step back and do it more level, you can get the entire name in - better for marketing relations.

Not long ago, this shooter was stuck on the 50mm side-on shot for everyone of his slides. He did not know that for some planes you have to get them at different angles. He shot the Donovan Daley Air Canada 767 side on. The wings blocked most of the athlete's photo. THAT IS the important thing of THAT PLANE!!!!!!! At times, you have to shoot away from that to get the full image.

Anyhow, just a little rant for today!

Zak wrote:

ShanwickOceanic wrote:

FernandezImaging wrote:9. And don't forget, for running props, lower that shutter speed!!!!

I ALWAYS forget this. Always, always, always.

I almost always remember it.

What I do forget, though, is to switch it back. Which leads to a lot of mildly blurry jet aircraft shots...

HA - been there done that! Believe me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

vikkyvik wrote:

ShanwickOceanic wrote:Depends why you're collecting, viewing, or taking the photos, I suppose.

EXACTLY.

Like I said, the OP's tips seem like good tips for professional shots that you're able to setup to your needs.

For me personally, I love sunset (yellow/orange sun) shots, I love trying low-light/no-light shots, I love backgrounds with airport or landscape detail in them, etc. And I love uploading them, whether folks will like them or not.

I'm not even sure when I last went and shot in "normal" sunlight.

However, I do now have the idea in my mind to try and get some more set up shots; maybe at a small local airport or something....

Those are GREAT shots. Believe me sometimes nice backgrounds, sunsets, etc are very nice and VERY PROFESSIONAL as well...!!!!!! My pointers are for basic shooting. I only say that because too many people still get nice setups yet they make no effort in removing junk from the plane that makes it look ugly.......that is why I made those pointers. YOU CAN go to private plane owners and bizjet outfits. Many like their photos be shot so there you can practice, start portfolios, and make some money as well. Those folks pay tons of money!!!

mhodgson wrote:

ShanwickOceanic wrote:

FernandezImaging wrote:9. And don't forget, for running props, lower that shutter speed!!!!

I ALWAYS forget this. Always, always, always.

Indeed - and this is why!

This shot was hand-held by the way using a Sigma 150-500 Lens. I think I took a series of 6 frames and 3 came out pretty sharp like this one. The other three were soft.

I love a good "philosophy of photography" discussion! I'll try not to be argumentative, though.

FernandezImaging wrote:These tips are not for professional photographers only. They are pro level but they are for everyone. Many photographers whether top or not get some ramp access at times. I don't always and very little chance. Most of the times it is because I do a set up of a plane........but the tips are those brought along to me by those who have been really successful at the hobby and I try to emulate and follow what they do and their approaches - and they are good tips.....and by looking at interesting old photos.

I understand. I said the tips were good for "professional, set-up shots", by which I meant professionally-oriented shots, not necessarily taken by professional photographers.

FernandezImaging wrote:As for fisheye, it is not that they are not good, just that many collectors of images, especially during the slide era, detested that shot so there is a bit of negativity when it comes to that.

Since I shoot for myself, that's complete immaterial.

FernandezImaging wrote:Let me give an example. One thinks that those fisheye lens shots of those planes taking off (on rotation) standing next to the runway, are dramatic but the fact is the closer you are, the more the wings get in the way and you lose titles and artwork. Titles and fuselage art are very important to get. If you were to move back and shoot it more side on at 50mm, you would get all the artwork and titles.

Again, since I shoot for myself, if I want the dramatic fisheye shot, I'll take it. If I want the 50mm shot with the titles and artwork, I'll take it.

FernandezImaging wrote:Why is this? Well - imagine you are doing work for Frontier Airlines. If you were right up to the plane, the wing would block most of your titles. Frontier would look like FR*****R. Same as some approach shots. Yet, if you step back and do it more level, you can get the entire name in - better for marketing relations.

Different story there. If I'm working for F9, or whomever, I'm going to shoot what they want, not what I want. But again, that's professional work.

FernandezImaging wrote:THAT IS the important thing of THAT PLANE!!!!!!!

To some people, perhaps. To others, perhaps not.

And that basically sums up my whole point - what's right for some won't be right for others. Such is the nature of art.

Anyway, nothing against your tips. Like I said, they may inspire me to try something different.

There are no lack of good and/or professional shots out there. I look for more unusual or special shots, often regardless of quality.

vikkyvik wrote:And that basically sums up my whole point - what's right for some won't be right for others. Such is the nature of art.

That's exactly it.

Ansel Adams said: "There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."

And in a book, I recently read: "Yes, it's true you can make much bigger, sharper photographs with the latest professional camera from Canon or Nikon. But 'larger' and 'sharper', the last time I checked, were not primary considerations when the human heart is looking to be moved by a photograph."

The OP addresses a few important questions when it comes to aviation photography, and indeed, a photographer should be aware of factors like distance and angle to the motive, light temperature and angle, focal length and f-stop.

Knowing how these factors influence a picture, and how you can use them to get a desired effect, will very much help you improving your photography.

But trying to define a "right" distance, a "right" angle, the "right" light and the "right" focal length is a step in the wrong direction.

Knowing what a very short focal length will do to your picture is important. And indeed, there will be situations where it is far more recommendable to put a bit more distance between you and the motive, and use a longer lens, instead of getting as close as possible and using a fisheye.

But just because you could avoid using a fisheye in a given situation, does not mean that you necessarily should.

Otherwise, this shot would never have been taken:

Zak wrote:Otherwise, this shot would never have been taken:

Shots like that shouldn't be taken.



...unless they're taken by me.



......but there's no chance of that happening.

Hi there,

This issue here is, I think, that lots of spotters "from the past" including myself are or used to be slide collectors and it used to be a standard that the slide was taken at 50mm, full-frame, side-on (no 1/4 front or back), no clutter, and, some others even did not want clouds, or hangars in the background. It has nothing to do with photgraphy, just collecting.

These days, especially in the digital age, with more and more people having cameras, there are photographers out there shooting aircraft. And, though I still like the side-on shots, I really appreciate the (artsy) shots, like some fish-eye or sunset shots or other dramatic shots even taken in cloudy atmosphere with condensation and vortexes coming off the wings or wingtips. Occasionally I do it myself these days.

Recently I also saw some shots of the 60s and 70s, taken with (fixed) telelenses, not always side-on, not always full frame, not always in sunny conditions, and sometimes lots of clutter. I really come to appreciate those, seeing the airport-equipment used then, the cars and ofcourse the aircraft back then! Great atmosphere!

So, everyone has his or her own way of shooting aircraft. I don't think there are rules, apart from the standard photography-rules (although you can also break these). It is all in the eye of the beholder...

My 2 cents.

brgds, Peter

That's a good point, Peter. I vaguely remember some strife on Airliners as the more "creative" shots started coming in... and getting thrown out. They started life with the intention of being a database, more about documenting the aircraft - and then, as you say, the world changed. They've had to change with it.

It's telling that, when we developed our own solution, we just called it a "photo database" without any conscious thought having gone into that name. All the same, we've set out from the beginning to accept every aerospace-related shot; after all, there's room in this hobby for everyone, including people who don't take photos at all but love looking at them. AvB seems to do a pretty good job of bringing the spectacular stuff to the fore, but we're not going to throw out a side-on or an off-level shot if that's what you want to upload. Which means we can have some photo of that short-lived charter livery from the 80s, or whatever. Like I said: Room for everyone