Photographing Aircraft

Bilbo Fraggins · 02-Jul-2012, 19:05

Howdy
I'm off to Fairford on Saturday but haven't used my new 1100D in anything but auto mode yet.
It's clear I'm not going to get through the training DVDs by then either..

So any tips for photographing aircraft, both flying and static?
I know enough to know I need a quick shutter speed for flying ones but I don't really have any clue how quick or what other settings to use.

With regards to the static ones. If I'm stood in front of a B2 stealth bomber, what settings will allow both me and the aircraft to be in focus? (obviously the stealth setting on the aircraft will have to be off..)

Any tips to avoid me coming home with a memory card full of blur, much appreciated.

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Jul-2012, 07:19

For flying aircraft use your exposure compensation functions to deliberately over-expose the picture. This will over-expose a bright sky but bring out the detail of the dark aircraft. Not sure about your particular camera but the button is always a +/- :

Maybe bump it up (+) one or two thirds of a stop (i.e. one or two dots).

I think I'd go for a wide aperture (AV setting and low number) and let the camera choose the shutter speed, although I may be contradicted on this.

Also, put the camera into burst-fire mode, hold down the shutter button and hope.

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Jul-2012, 07:25

If you do try over-exposing don't forget to set it back to normal when you're done.

[RaG]Ethel · 03-Jul-2012, 08:50

Quote:

With regards to the static ones. If I'm stood in front of a B2 stealth bomber, what settings will allow both me and the aircraft to be in focus? (obviously the stealth setting on the aircraft will have to be off..)

http://www.dofmaster.com/

dof increases with smaller focal length and smaller aperture.

Chef_uk · 03-Jul-2012, 10:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by [n00b]Zippy

I think I'd go for a wide aperture (AV setting and low number) and let the camera choose the shutter speed, although I may be contradicted on this.

I'll condradict you

The other way round is regarded as best for aircraft.

I go for 800s for non props and 250s for props. Let the camera control the aperture. I also use 1 stop less than 2.0 80% of the time.

Here's mine from this weekend at Waddington.

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Jul-2012, 10:20

I stand corrected

Scrobbs · 03-Jul-2012, 10:57

Great shot of <whatever it is> taking off btw!

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Jul-2012, 11:00

Bilb · 03-Jul-2012, 11:02

Looks like:

F16
Dunno
Tornado
Hawk

Inertiaman · 03-Jul-2012, 11:06

RNLAF F16.

DizMatt · 03-Jul-2012, 11:09

nice shots
the danger for me is if the sky is bright and your plane is very small (or farrrr awaeeeey)
then one or two bits of exposure comp is tricky
have you tried centre weighted metering?
also with Chef's very nice information, the lower shutter speed is important so that you can get some motion in the prop instead of completely freezing the motion.

also practise on birds. get out and see what happens with various settings.
for static ground aircraft, F8-f11 is always a good rule of thumb I think, and wide angle will extend this apparent DOF

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Jul-2012, 16:04

Have you been to Fairford before? If so, what's the traffic like? I'm only down the road so I thought I might try it.

Bilbo Fraggins · 03-Jul-2012, 17:01

Traffic was shit when I went 2 or 3 years ago and I missed the start. Going to go earlier this year and hope to do better

Bare in mind there's no tickets available on the day though.

Thanks for the camera tips guys, I'll have to consult my manual I think!
Alot of stuff I don't know how do do yet it seems

Bilbo Fraggins · 03-Jul-2012, 17:13

After some reading up on settings would you guys use shutter priority for the moving stuff and aperture priority for the static?
I'm thinking I just need to get out and use the thing.

[n00b]Zippy · 03-Jul-2012, 17:18

Practice makes perfect - get your Mrs to run round the garden (without clothes as this significantly reduces the drag, helping her to get closer to the speed of the planes) and experiment with the settings. Post the pictures in this thread and I'm sure we'll all have some good advice for you.

Chef_uk · 03-Jul-2012, 21:06

2nd one is a King Air 250. Anyone who's owned MS Flight Sim 9 or FSX should know that

The F16 is the Dutch one and he is fucking mental!! Should be leaving Waddo tomorrow to get to Fairford for the weekend. He's pulling back on the stick as soon as he starts rolling. Off the ground in less than 5 seconds will full reheat on. He flies it like i fly in BF3 lol.

Wish i was going to RIAT again. Only been the once back in 2007. If it wasn't so close to Waddo it wouldn't be an issue with with the wife.

Scrobbs · 04-Jul-2012, 11:03

I've been in a stripped out King Air for skydiving. Got to jump altitude in about 5 mins. Everything else on the DZ took about 15. Fab plane.

Bilbo Fraggins · 04-Jul-2012, 17:17

Noob question, go easy on me. Did you use manual or auto focus on those Chef?

Chef_uk · 04-Jul-2012, 17:24

Auto is generally regarded as normal.

PsYcHoKiLLa · 04-Jul-2012, 17:32

Sigh. Boys and their killing toys.

[n00b]Zippy · 09-Jul-2012, 08:37

The Lancaster flew over my house on Saturday followed by the Red Arrows on Sunday \o/

Bilbo Fraggins · 09-Jul-2012, 18:46

Red Arrows are past it!
South Korean Black Eagles is where it's at!

In other news I need some zoom. There was some big ass lens action going down on Saturday, was ashamed to flop mine out at times

Bilbo Fraggins · 09-Jul-2012, 19:04

See, I was too far away.

Bigger stuff was better

And just 3 men trying to push a coach that was stuck in the mud which made us laugh.......

Chef_uk · 09-Jul-2012, 22:51

300mm is minimum for airshow stuff really but don't be afraid to cut the pics to 1000px wide, play about with the levels, and apply some unsharp mask.

Here's your first pic:

Bilbo Fraggins · 09-Jul-2012, 23:01

And the Black Eagles

Bilbo Fraggins · 09-Jul-2012, 23:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef_uk

300mm is minimum for airshow stuff really but don't be afraid to cut the pics to 1000px wide, play about with the levels, and apply some unsharp mask.

Here's your first pic:

It can't be......
Nice one!

Chef_uk · 09-Jul-2012, 23:48

thanks. Can't take credit for the skills though. The following guide is like my holy bible:

http://www.airliners.net/faq/editing_guide.php

Bilbo Fraggins · 15-Jul-2012, 18:28

Just been playing in PS but stuck at pretty much the first hurdle.
After reading that guide I got the levels up but it doesn't really say how it should be adjusted, is it just to taste?
And the thing that should be so simple but stumping me completely. How did you apply the zoom? I found the zoom in/out menu but that just seems to be literally zooming, not enlarging.

Chef_uk · 15-Jul-2012, 19:31

Levels are to taste really but i think some of the pro's may go on about midtones etc.

The zoom i did was to just use the marquee crop tool on the original image. You can get away with cropping to a third of the original size but that's about it.

02-Jul-2012, 19:05	#1
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	Photographing Aircraft Howdy I'm off to Fairford on Saturday but haven't used my new 1100D in anything but auto mode yet. It's clear I'm not going to get through the training DVDs by then either.. So any tips for photographing aircraft, both flying and static? I know enough to know I need a quick shutter speed for flying ones but I don't really have any clue how quick or what other settings to use. With regards to the static ones. If I'm stood in front of a B2 stealth bomber, what settings will allow both me and the aircraft to be in focus? (obviously the stealth setting on the aircraft will have to be off..) Any tips to avoid me coming home with a memory card full of blur, much appreciated. __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger.

03-Jul-2012, 07:19	#2
[n00b]Zippy Unstartable Sex Machine Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 11,542	For flying aircraft use your exposure compensation functions to deliberately over-expose the picture. This will over-expose a bright sky but bring out the detail of the dark aircraft. Not sure about your particular camera but the button is always a +/- : Maybe bump it up (+) one or two thirds of a stop (i.e. one or two dots). I think I'd go for a wide aperture (AV setting and low number) and let the camera choose the shutter speed, although I may be contradicted on this. Also, put the camera into burst-fire mode, hold down the shutter button and hope. __________________ I wish I were a glow worm A glow worm's never glum 'Cause how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

03-Jul-2012, 07:25	#3
[n00b]Zippy Unstartable Sex Machine Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 11,542	If you do try over-exposing don't forget to set it back to normal when you're done. __________________ I wish I were a glow worm A glow worm's never glum 'Cause how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

03-Jul-2012, 10:20	#6
[n00b]Zippy Unstartable Sex Machine Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 11,542	I stand corrected __________________ I wish I were a glow worm A glow worm's never glum 'Cause how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

03-Jul-2012, 10:57	#7
Scrobbs Sunnyvale Supervisor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In the pipe, five by five. Posts: 13,529	Great shot of <whatever it is> taking off btw! __________________ http://bit.ly/debatethebill

03-Jul-2012, 11:00	#8
[n00b]Zippy Unstartable Sex Machine Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 11,542	F16? __________________ I wish I were a glow worm A glow worm's never glum 'Cause how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

03-Jul-2012, 11:02	#9
Bilb Amazeballs! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Elite Elevated Equine Division Posts: 11,283	Looks like: F16 Dunno Tornado Hawk __________________ @TomJJarvis

03-Jul-2012, 11:09	#11
DizMatt PostPrandial Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: just ootside Gatesheeed Posts: 8,650	nice shots the danger for me is if the sky is bright and your plane is very small (or farrrr awaeeeey) then one or two bits of exposure comp is tricky have you tried centre weighted metering? also with Chef's very nice information, the lower shutter speed is important so that you can get some motion in the prop instead of completely freezing the motion. also practise on birds. get out and see what happens with various settings. for static ground aircraft, F8-f11 is always a good rule of thumb I think, and wide angle will extend this apparent DOF __________________ Photo Portfolio Bits 'n Pieces : General Random Gallery : All new photoblog : My Flickr ........................I read it on Wikipedia...so it must be true!........................

03-Jul-2012, 16:04	#12
[n00b]Zippy Unstartable Sex Machine Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 11,542	Have you been to Fairford before? If so, what's the traffic like? I'm only down the road so I thought I might try it. __________________ I wish I were a glow worm A glow worm's never glum 'Cause how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

03-Jul-2012, 17:01	#13
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	Traffic was shit when I went 2 or 3 years ago and I missed the start. Going to go earlier this year and hope to do better Bare in mind there's no tickets available on the day though. Thanks for the camera tips guys, I'll have to consult my manual I think! Alot of stuff I don't know how do do yet it seems __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger.

03-Jul-2012, 17:13	#14
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	After some reading up on settings would you guys use shutter priority for the moving stuff and aperture priority for the static? I'm thinking I just need to get out and use the thing. __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger.

03-Jul-2012, 17:18	#15
[n00b]Zippy Unstartable Sex Machine Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 11,542	Practice makes perfect - get your Mrs to run round the garden (without clothes as this significantly reduces the drag, helping her to get closer to the speed of the planes) and experiment with the settings. Post the pictures in this thread and I'm sure we'll all have some good advice for you. __________________ I wish I were a glow worm A glow worm's never glum 'Cause how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

03-Jul-2012, 21:06	#16
Chef_uk attention seeker Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: U.K Posts: 6,222	2nd one is a King Air 250. Anyone who's owned MS Flight Sim 9 or FSX should know that The F16 is the Dutch one and he is fucking mental!! Should be leaving Waddo tomorrow to get to Fairford for the weekend. He's pulling back on the stick as soon as he starts rolling. Off the ground in less than 5 seconds will full reheat on. He flies it like i fly in BF3 lol. Wish i was going to RIAT again. Only been the once back in 2007. If it wasn't so close to Waddo it wouldn't be an issue with with the wife. __________________ My Veg Growing Blog \| Clan PTG

04-Jul-2012, 11:03	#17
Scrobbs Sunnyvale Supervisor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: In the pipe, five by five. Posts: 13,529	I've been in a stripped out King Air for skydiving. Got to jump altitude in about 5 mins. Everything else on the DZ took about 15. Fab plane. __________________ http://bit.ly/debatethebill

04-Jul-2012, 17:17	#18
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	Noob question, go easy on me. Did you use manual or auto focus on those Chef? __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger.

04-Jul-2012, 17:24	#19
Chef_uk attention seeker Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: U.K Posts: 6,222	Auto is generally regarded as normal. __________________ My Veg Growing Blog \| Clan PTG

04-Jul-2012, 17:32	#20
PsYcHoKiLLa spam tbh Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 946	Sigh. Boys and their killing toys.

09-Jul-2012, 08:37	#21
[n00b]Zippy Unstartable Sex Machine Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Great Rollright Posts: 11,542	The Lancaster flew over my house on Saturday followed by the Red Arrows on Sunday \o/ __________________ I wish I were a glow worm A glow worm's never glum 'Cause how can you be grumpy When the sun shines out your bum?

09-Jul-2012, 18:46	#22
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	Red Arrows are past it! South Korean Black Eagles is where it's at! In other news I need some zoom. There was some big ass lens action going down on Saturday, was ashamed to flop mine out at times __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger. Last edited by Bilbo Fraggins; 09-Jul-2012 at 18:48.

09-Jul-2012, 19:04	#23
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	See, I was too far away. Bigger stuff was better And just 3 men trying to push a coach that was stuck in the mud which made us laugh....... __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger.

09-Jul-2012, 22:51	#24
Chef_uk attention seeker Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: U.K Posts: 6,222	300mm is minimum for airshow stuff really but don't be afraid to cut the pics to 1000px wide, play about with the levels, and apply some unsharp mask. Here's your first pic: __________________ My Veg Growing Blog \| Clan PTG

09-Jul-2012, 23:01	#25
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	And the Black Eagles __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger.

09-Jul-2012, 23:48	#27
Chef_uk attention seeker Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: U.K Posts: 6,222	thanks. Can't take credit for the skills though. The following guide is like my holy bible: http://www.airliners.net/faq/editing_guide.php __________________ My Veg Growing Blog \| Clan PTG

15-Jul-2012, 18:28	#28
Bilbo Fraggins posts for a living Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Piss Stinking Penny Arcade Posts: 4,210	Just been playing in PS but stuck at pretty much the first hurdle. After reading that guide I got the levels up but it doesn't really say how it should be adjusted, is it just to taste? And the thing that should be so simple but stumping me completely. How did you apply the zoom? I found the zoom in/out menu but that just seems to be literally zooming, not enlarging. __________________ Only a Ginger, can call another Ginger, Ginger.

15-Jul-2012, 19:31	#29
Chef_uk attention seeker Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: U.K Posts: 6,222	Levels are to taste really but i think some of the pro's may go on about midtones etc. The zoom i did was to just use the marquee crop tool on the original image. You can get away with cropping to a third of the original size but that's about it. __________________ My Veg Growing Blog \| Clan PTG