Ryangooner From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2003, 969 posts, RR: 25 Posted (9 years 3 weeks 10 hours ago) and read 3339 times:
I dont think ive seen this thread before so here goes.........
Who is your "Spotting Partner" ?
Do you have a Partner or do you prefer to be alone when spotting ?
How did you meet and how long have you been spotting together ?
Im looking to find the longest serving partnership !!!!
Myself and fellow spotter Spencer Wilmot went to the same secondary school and met at around 12 years old, i think we started to take up spotting / photography around 14 years old, Spencer starting before i did probably alot younger than that.
18 years later we are still at it!, even though living in seperate countries now.
Karlok From Netherlands, joined Mar 2002, 839 posts, RR: 1 Reply 2, posted (9 years 3 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 3238 times:
The most of the time I'm alone when spotting, else I'm there with students of my class (I study Aviation Operations, so there are a lot spotters in my class )
I would rather to hang out with my friends (Geoff, Corey, Paul & John). I don't like to be alone at the airport because I am hearing impaired. If there is something wrong...For example, the Police or TSA questioned me about the suspicion activity. So, I would have been a hard time to understand what they said. Also, I had some problems to explain them what I was doing.
On a special note, I just want to thanks to my new friends (Geoff, Corey, Paul & John) for joining me while spotting at the airport. It make me more comfortable and safer.
Thanks Guys!!!
Cheers!
John Perrotta/BDL
[Edited 2004-05-02 16:58:48]
John A. Perrotta (KBDL/BDL) - Canon 300D/400D & EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Maiznblu_757 From United States of America, joined Mar 2002, 5112 posts, RR: 52 Reply 4, posted (9 years 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 3191 times:
For the most part, I would rather be alone. If I am going to the airport, I usually just up and go, and don't really think about calling anyone letting them know I am heading out.
JP,
When I get stationed back on the east coast Ill come spot with ya.
Jkw777 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 5, posted (9 years 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 3188 times:
Great topic mate
Well it has to be between Mike Catchpole, Chris Sharps, Simon Nicholls and you! LOL They are great companions to shoot with. We all live in different areas of the UK, but somehow always manage to find one another
I dont mind group spotting or just with some one else.
Here's the (long) story...
Chris e-mailed me saying he was interested in spotting and he liked my pictures. We got talking and arranged to meet at LGW on the 7th Feb 2004. Ryan also came along and we shot for a few hours there. Great meeting you both!
On the 28th Feb 2004 we arranged to head to LHR. Me and Chris were to go, but at the last moment Mike Catchpole e-mailed us saying he wanted to come along as we had made a topic in the forums We were happy to be meeting other A.net members
Then a few weeks later we were going for the ultimate meeting! On March 12th 2004 Me, Chris, and Mike met up at LGW at 8:00 p.m. on a Friday evening and headed towards the "Arora" at Crawley which was our place for the evening. We had a great night out and the next day on March 13th 2004 we went to LGW. Simon Nicholls and his mate Patrick Mayo came along aswell!
FL350 From Belgium, joined Feb 2003, 517 posts, RR: 2 Reply 6, posted (9 years 3 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 3177 times:
I like to be on my own at the airport, being able to change places often without losing time.
My closests friends are not aircraft spotting fans, so I usually go alone.
Sometimes I meet others spotters at the airport, or thru a previously arranged meeting. But that's quite a challenge those days to deal with all differents work schedules of your mates to bring a meet at the local airport.
Maiznblu_757 From United States of America, joined Mar 2002, 5112 posts, RR: 52 Reply 7, posted (9 years 3 weeks 4 hours ago) and read 3170 times:
I like to be on my own at the airport, being able to change places often without losing time.
Another good reason to go alone.
A couple people I really miss spotting with though, are my best friend from 7th grade on and his father. If it wasnt for his dad taking us to countless airshows and airports around the midwest, and showing me there was more excitement than TVC, I wouldn't be into it like I am now.
Spencer From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2004, 1624 posts, RR: 19 Reply 10, posted (9 years 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 3089 times:
Oh Ry, you've started something here..!! And as I wipe the tear from my eye, reminisce, I realise the reasons I left you, and moved countries!! Nah, seriously, another good topic. Yeah, "we" go back a bit longer than that I think, probably around 20-21 years. We have certainly seen some sights, what with the 3(?) RTW trips, the multi-stops and via's.
As you know, I'll be back home for the airshow season, well, the ones that count that is. And I'm sure we will have a laugh running up and down the UK, in search of a new angle!
Apart from that, there's a few good friends to me here in Sweden now, which I hope in time I can call spotting partners. Here's a few I've spotted with and in turn became good friends with.
Daniel Asplund, Christopher Hammarborg, Stefan Sjögren, Johan Ljungdahl, Patrik Hjortberg, Joakim Ewenson, have I forgot anyone? (Sounds like a thank you speach at the Swedish Film Awards)!
Spencer.
EOS1D4, 7D, 30D, 100-400/4.5-5.6 L IS USM, 70-200/2.8 L IS2 USM, 17-40 f4 L USM, 24-105 f4 L IS USM, 85 f1.8 USM
Fallingeese From Canada, joined Apr 2001, 2097 posts, RR: 20 Reply 12, posted (9 years 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 3064 times:
I usally end up going with Bo Kim, and Chris Sands. There is a large group of us here in Calgary that frequent the airport on a fairly regularly. A few of us have banded together to create a partnership in order to market some of our photos better. http://www.contrailsphotography.com
Futterman From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1301 posts, RR: 49 Reply 15, posted (9 years 3 weeks 1 hour ago) and read 3022 times:
I initially started off solo in July '03, and spotted on my own time for about two months. Came across Matt Celmer/Cancidas, then bumped into Josh Akbar/Jakbar. Since then, we must've had at least a dozen gatherings with just the three of us, and it's always a great time.
But, like any other city, New York has it's exclusive group of A.net spotters that is still growing. If it's a beatuiful day, you're more than likely to find someone hanging around Howard Beach. This is the bread and butter of the crew, that I'm aware of, at least:
Art Brett+Anne
Phil Derner, Jr.
Josh Akbar
Tom Turner
Matt Celmer
Brian Futterman
Matt Smith
Mike McLaughlin
Ron Peel
Anthony Russo
Mike Primamore
Senga Butts
Joe Pries
Carlos Borda
Of course, some of these folks opt for the 50mm ramp shots, not telephoto 31L departures. Psshhh...
IL76 From Netherlands, joined Jan 2004, 2235 posts, RR: 51 Reply 16, posted (9 years 3 weeks ago) and read 2987 times:
In the 8 years I do aviation photography, I've met a lot of people around the airport, but I chose to be on my own most of the time. Most spotters I met around the airport I found a bit 'weird', so to say, as they are a bit more 'into' it than myself. I now have met some guys (Wietse summed them up!) with a similar approach as myself: "Take nice pictures of airplanes". Period. A lot of people around the airport take it a bit further listening to ATC, keeping logbooks, dressing as if they a pilot, that kinda stuff... They tend to have very little interest outside aviation and can only talk about one thing. Not my cuppa tea, and very boring company...
So it's either being by myself or with some of the guys above...
Cheers guys!
Ed
LGB Photos From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 2944 times:
I would say that I don't have a spotting partner but I have two close friends that I go on trips with. One is Paul Minert and another is Jarrod Wilkening. Unfortunetly Jarrod lives in Tulsa right now but will be back out here in SoCal next summer after school. I tend to shoot on my own right now unless one of these two guys are with me.
WERNAIR From Austria, joined Aug 2003, 164 posts, RR: 14 Reply 19, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 2942 times:
Hy there!
So here is my part for this cool topic:
Started intensive spotting spring time last year here in GRZ always with my girlfriend. As she is as interested in aviation as I am she was always with me watching the planes and watching me taking pictures. Well but since I got my new cam she also looks at the planes through a lens... So here we are:
AKE0404AR From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2534 posts, RR: 50 Reply 21, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 17 hours ago) and read 2872 times:
A340Spotter From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 1973 posts, RR: 26 Reply 22, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 14 hours ago) and read 2845 times:
Very good topic indeed...Over the past 10 years I've been spotting, I'd say the only "partner" I've had was Ryan Hales who's been off flying, trying to make a living the past few years in exciting locales, and who's now taken a job with the USFS as a contract pilot outside of Pocatello, ID. No doubt some impressive air-to-fire shots are on the horizon...He and I did some trips together in the day
Nowadays, I'm generally a lone wolf, though every so often, Derek Hellmann and I will go somewhere (MEX this past Dec. for instance)...not a lot of Houston guys around and generally, for spotting, it's very rare to see someone else jotting numbers down...
Jeffrey
"Irregardless, it's a Cat III airplane, we don't need an alternate!"
WERNAIR From Austria, joined Aug 2003, 164 posts, RR: 14 Reply 23, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 13 hours ago) and read 2825 times:
@Leviticus:
Well, why did you have to dig my pic in the forum!?
My name is stated under the pictures anyway and if you look at my pics you'll easily find out that most of my shots are taken in Austria! So what's your problem! Or is your problem my Hungarian name...?
Andyhunt From Singapore, joined Jan 2001, 1294 posts, RR: 53 Reply 24, posted (9 years 2 weeks 6 days 10 hours ago) and read 2795 times:
AIRLINERS.NET CREW PHOTO SCREENER
When I was lving in Singapore, Sim Kok Chwee was my regular photography buddy. We shared some great times and memories together. We can still remember exactly which "specials" we were both together to witness.
Every Sat. and Sun. morning, we would meet up for breakfast, and a couple of hours early morning spotting. The day would start with calls at about 0615 with words of "what does the horizon look like, skies looknig good??" It was fun. Now he is based in BKK and I'm in SHA, but whenever we get the opportunity, we always try to shoot together again.
Andrew
Full frame always beats post processing
25 MerC: I am always alone when spotting, with the exception of my mom who act as a driver sometimes (too lazy to get a driving license). Would not mind some c
26 Leviticus: WERNAIR What is wrong dude ? Take it easy, you, misunderstood me ! First of all I pointed out that I liked the picture in your profile, it was very in
27 WERNAIR: Hy Leviticus!!! I'M VERY SORRY! I REALLY GOT YOU VERY WRONG. As it was in the morning it seems I didn't got the meaning of your post right, so sorry f
28 Maiznblu_757: Hey Futt. Sometime when I am back in TVC, you need to take the AE ERJ-140 flight, LGA-TVC flight and spot with me! Departs LGA on Friday, returns to L
29 Futterman: Chad: What's in TVC? I think I'd rather 'C' 'TV'...haha . The AA762, UA EMB120 out to CLD is much more appealing to me, but there are a few limiting f
31 Andrewuber: Maizin- You didn't mention your A+ #1 photo cleaner buddy!!! And, by the way, congrats on your 100th upload!!! DREW
32 Maiznblu_757: Aww thanks. You can come shoot with me anytime. [Edited 2004-05-11 05:18:38]
33 Mx330: Although some people call themselves Aviation Photography of Mexico the only official members are: Jorge Rocafort, Ricardo Morales, Carlos de Anda & m
34 Rotor1: Whenever I go spotting at SAN, I always have a buddy. His name is "Dan", and he works for Airport Ops. No matter where I go, he's always right next to
35 Jderden777: a few years ago when i first started this hobby i met jon birdwell and we both went out to TRI a few times to take photos together, and also we took a
36 Manzoori: Spotting buddies eh? Well it would have to be these two reprobates: and Most of our get togethers are at MAN as John Farrington is from them there par
37 Flpuck6: Where I shoot, I am on my own bascially because I have the privelege of shooting ramp-side and shooting outside of the airport is a big hassle ... I a
38 Jderden777: yes, that was a very, very notable trip to Europe! i don't ever think i could ever plan a trip that action-packed ever again if i tried...AMS, ORY/CDG
39 Flpuck6: Thank you for the correction, sir ... We'll try to do it again this year
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They are great companions to shoot with. We all live in different areas of the UK, but somehow always manage to find one another 
and LGW on days when it decided to rain 
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