Hello all,
I've never been to LAX before. I will get to go for one day early in April of this coming year. I was wondering when are the best times to spot and at what places are best. I know of the In N Out and Imperial Hill. Anywhere else?? Like where do people get those awesome touchdown shots on 24R? Keep in mind I don't care so much about lighting as I am about the types of aircraft and airlines I can photograph. I am an aviation enthusiasts first, not a pro photographer. Thanks!
-Alex

Quoting deltaA330 (Thread starter): I was wondering when are the best times to spot and at what places are best.

There tends to be an influx of European and Asian heavies in the late afternoon/evening, but really, LAX has decent traffic all day. The A380s come in earlier in the day, for example.

As far as north vs. south, it's tough to say. For domestic airlines, they'll typically land on whichever side their terminal is on (so south side would be AA, UA, DL, etc.), though it's not a firm rule by any means. For international arrivals, it's more variable, and you get a decent selection on either side.

If you want to get takeoffs, Imperial Hill is the place to be, or you can go down to Dockweiler Beach.

Quoting deltaA330 (Thread starter): Like where do people get those awesome touchdown shots on 24R?

Typically from the Westchester Pkwy bridge over Lincoln Blvd:

http://goo.gl/maps/IgbfI

For landings on the 25s you can also poke around the Aviation Blvd. area, most notably the Proud Bird Restaurant when they are open.

Also be advised that the In'n'out itself isn't always the best spot, it's a good landmark and you can park nearby but I often prefer to head south on Sepulveda a ways to get more favorable lighting for 24R landings (and the odd 24L landing which sends me scrambling down the street.)