Airshow Synchronicity
We were at our first airshow of the year at Shuttleworth in May. I always love getting shots of the crowd as much as I do of the planes. This shot is one of my ...
Read more
We were at our first airshow of the year at Shuttleworth in May. I always love getting shots of the crowd as much as I do of the planes. This shot is one of my faves!
Read less
Read less
Jul, 2016Views
345
Likes
Awards
Peer Award
Superb Composition
Top Choice
Outstanding Creativity
Magnificent Capture
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Ranks
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Categories
Same photographer See allBehind The Lens
Discover more photos See all
Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was taken at the Flying Legends Airshow, at Duxford Airfield, near Cambridge, England, in July 2016. I love the challenge of shooting at air shows and we always go to at least one a year, usually at Duxford, which was one of the air bases that helped protect Great Britain during the Battle of Britain in WWII.Time
This would have been taken during the show, probably around 2:00 in the afternoon, as it's mid-show.Lighting
There isn't much chance to scope for best time of day or light at an air show, you rather have to take it as it comes. For shooting the planes, some cloud on a sunny day is always best, it adds a bit of drama and helps to put the planes into perspective. This shot was perfectly lit, however, with the sun full on. I loved the way their lenses were touched by it when I saw them. I also tend to use a slightly higher ISO at air shows, between 400 and 800, depending on the weather, so I can have a faster shutter speed to capture the planes at speed. You have to be able to compensate for that quickly with shutterspeed or F-stop, as it can be a bit glare-y, especially if you take a static shot such a this.Equipment
This was taken on my Fuji X-T10, on a 50-230 zoom lens. That's the largest lens I own -- I have nothing like the pros in my photo have!! I do have a tripod and a monopod that I take to the air shows, thinking one day I might use one of them, but generally, I work hand held. At some point, the need to move with the planes always takes priority over the need for stability and the tripod (or monopod) is abandoned.Inspiration
The crowds at an air show are always interesting. Especially the ones at Duxford, where people dress in WWII uniforms (from either side of the war) and clothing. But the photographers can be fun, too, moving in unison as they all try to get the same great shot. In this case, I had just changed my battery and was rushing to get my camera back up, when I saw all of these photographers over to my right, move as one, getting ready to capture the plane mid-maneuver. I don't know what shot of the plane I missed, but am I ever glad I took this one! This is the photographer's world at an air show.Editing
I only ever shoot RAW, so I get as much detail as possible. I also only ever develop in ways that I could have had I been developing film, so tone curves, contrast, making sure the white balance is what I want, lighting, exposure. The longer I have to work on it, the more I wonder if it was good to start with. My goal is always to get it right when I take the picture, and to take a good picture that's worth developing.In my camera bag
Generally, my Fuji X-T10 body, with a 16-50, 50-230, and a wider angle lens, so I can adapt to whatever I'm shooting. Lens cleaning equipment, of course. A plastic bag to protect the camera with if it rains. A couple of extra batteries and an extra memory card or two, just in case. I've been caught without before ... that only has to happen once!Feedback
Be prepared for anything. Shooting at an air show leaves you with no options. You can't wait for the right light, or just pack up if it's raining. You take it as it comes. Scenery around the airfield is what it is ... if you can use it, if it has any esthetic value, that's awesome! The guys in this photo are right up at the fence; that way you can get good shots of planes landing, taking off, or taxi-ing up the runway. But you have to be aware of the people behind you, as well, who are just there to enjoy the day. These photographers were in an area for photographers. Also, while the guys in my photo have huge lenses, perfect for good close-ups, I like using my slightly smaller zoom. The planes aren't just flying, they're doing loops and other maneuvers. I like to be able to bend and weave with them, getting the right angle against dramatic clouds - capturing them as they swoop past, or in the middle of a dogfight re-enactment. That's more difficult if you have a lens so big you need a harness to hold it. So that really depends on the type of photos you want to take. But keep your eyes open at ground level. Getting great shots of planes is fun, but you never know when a moment such as this one will occur.
