Any tips for shooting at an airshow

[mikeyb11]

Hi. Would value any advice on how to get shots of fast jets taking off, landing and flying past at an airshow-lenses to use, appertures/shutters speeds/best position etc. Real dearth of help on web generally.

[chris-p]

Hi Mikey, welcome to the forum

I've not got much experience of airshows (I've only done one but I'm hoping to get to the Flying Legends show in a couple of weeks time at RAF Duxford).

Lens wise you want long (most of the time). As long as possible. You don't say what kit you've got (or where you're planning on going and how close to the aircraft you can get) but 200mm is likely to be an absolute minimum.

With regards to settings, its personal preference. If the conditions are bright I tend to shoot birds and planes in aperture priority mode which is rather unorthodox. I do this because I know it's bright enough to give me really fast shutter speeds regardless of aperture so I control the aperture to control sharpness and DoF.
If the light levels are lower I tend to switch to manual and set my exposure about 2/3 under the metered exposure for a medium point of the sky.

[chris-p]

Oh, and have a look at this thread

The EXIF data in the shots there might be of some help with regards to exposure modes, aperture settings and shutter speeds etc...

[mikeyb11]

I am, as you may have clocked, a new member and am feeling my way round the Forum. I have a Nikon D90 and in addition to the 18-105mm kit lens have a Sigma 150-500. I am going to Fairford for the Royal International Air Tatoo next nmonth and should get close to take-off/landing points plus access to the static displays. Thanks for your advice and I'll have a bash on apperture priority. The Sigma is obviously a bit of brute to carry round but sounds like that may be the best. I got some great shots (for me) of the Airbus A380 taking off at Filton earlier this year with my kit lens so will have that on hand too. Hope your visit to Duxford is a success and will I be able to see any of your shots? Again thanks. Mike

[chris-p]

Hi Mike

I hope I get the time to get to Duxford - it's a 90 minute (or so) drive each way for me plus I seem to have been really busy with work at the weekends recently. I've been planning on going for ages though so I'm damned sure going to try.

If I get there, I'll post some pictures when I get back. My D90 needs an outing!

[swan lover]

I have one tip for you mikey, try not to forget to enjoy the day!

[chris-p]

Originally Posted by swan lover

I have one tip for you mikey, try not to forget to enjoy the day!

That might be the single best bit of advice so far!

[wavemachine]

Funny enough I was thinking of going to an airshow and taking some photos, but much the same as you thinking about what settings to use.

It may seem a daft idea but when I was contemplating this I was walking my dog near the local modle aircraft group flying strip and though this is possibly an opportunity to get some practice. Okay they aren't as quick and they are on a smaller scale but could be good enough to experiment and practice basics.

Just a thought if you have one near you.

[donoreo]

Wear sunscreen I know, not photo advice but still good advice