Vish92 From American Samoa, joined Jan 2008, 1 posts, RR: 0 Posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1820 times:
Hey guys, I am a student who loves anything to do with aviation and am often playing fsx on vatsim.
Now, this year (Yr 10) I have to do a personal project under the IB (International Baccalaureate) on anything that you like doing or something that you always wanted to do. So, I thought after looking the photos on this site to try aviation photography.
Here is the problem,
(1) I have never done aviation photography before so I definitely will not be able to get the professional kinda photos as is seen on this site.
(2) My family currently does not have a good camera so I think I would get one as a birthday gift which can later be used as a personal/family camera. Will such a camera (around the AU $400 mark) be good enough to take good photos?
I live in Adelaide, Australia which does get a good amount of airline traffic but most of them are usually medium size airliners (737, a321), you can sometimes get to see a 777 or a330 but rarely something like a 747.
Final question:-
Is the topic that I have chosen alright or practically possible to do or should I choose another topic (business planning)?
Jetmatt777 From United States of America, joined Jun 2005, 2663 posts, RR: 36 Reply 1, posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 5 days 8 hours ago) and read 1806 times:
The Canon S3-IS is from what I have seen a good camera for your price range. Some shots on A.net:
As you can see, it is good enough quality for A.net, it should be good enough for your project, it's no DSLR, but it's a good point and shoot camera. It has M, Av, Tv, P, and Auto modes, so if you want to try to learn shooting in Manual modes the option is there, it has IIRC 10x optical zoom, which I think is close to 320MM if I'm not mistaken.
For your needs it's perfect, but if you think you want to get serious about it, you'll need a DSLR.
If you just need a family camera then something like this should be fine. You're unlikely to get a DSLR+lens for AU$400
As for the IB project requirements, I don't know what they're expecting to see. A succession of aircraft photos probably isn't it though.... definitely something more involved.... a week/month in the life of an airport, or something like that, and you'll probably need to discuss that with the airport management.
In the final year of the programme, each student completes a personal project, a significant piece of work that is the product of the student’s own initiative and creativity.
Each project must reflect a personal understanding of the areas of interaction. Students apply the skills acquired through one of these areas as well as approaches to learning.
Students are expected to choose their project, which can take many forms, and take the process through to completion under the supervision of a teacher in the school. This involves:
* planning
* research
* a high degree of personal reflection.
The personal project is assessed by teachers against a set of IB assessment criteria.
JakTrax From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2005, 4738 posts, RR: 8 Reply 3, posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 4 days 17 hours ago) and read 1757 times:
Quoting Vish92 (Thread starter): I have never done aviation photography before so I definitely will not be able to get the professional kinda photos as is seen on this site.
Young man, why do you not think that you could be capable of taking similar images to many you see here? We've all at some point been in your position; we all started without a clue (I have to wonder sometimes if I have a clue now!!). We are ALL still learning. With practice and by listening to the much good advice given in this forum you'll be taking great pic's in no time!
Mictheslik From United Kingdom, joined May 2006, 58 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 1707 times:
Don't think you cant do it just because you're inexperienced.....I'm only a year older than you, but saved up and bought a 400D a year ago....I am still learning every time I use it, and have 15 pics on this site....Remember, take the photos for yourself, not to try and get them on A.Net....that's just a bonus
Keep saving and you'll be able to buy better and better equipment and in a few years you'll have the perfect plane photographing kit
It sounds like a very good idea for a project...good luck
Sulman From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2004, 2028 posts, RR: 35 Reply 5, posted (5 years 3 months 3 weeks 3 days 15 hours ago) and read 1705 times:
Business planning sounds much more boring
Why not scrap the whole point-and-shoot idea, and buy a film SLR cheap (this is what many, many photography students still do)? With the help of a basics book, you could document your journey (in print, no less) and bring the whole thing in well within your personal budget. You'll also have learnt lots of new skills, which will cover the planning and research requirements, and the frustrations encountered will no doubt give you plenty of reflective material.
With an SLR, you get the quality of pictures and the whole aviation photography experience, for a much lower starting price. If you get bitten by the bug, you can save up and go digital at a later point.
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