Lankygit From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2009, 1 posts, RR: 0 Posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2449 times:
Finally got around to signing up and getting started. Aviation Photography is up there as one of the things I am desperate to have a go at. I have spent the last 2 years working as a photographer in the British Touring Car Championship, so my experience in things that fly is zero.
My current tools consist of a Canon 50D (Hope to replace next year) and F2.8 70-200 and the 400mm F2.8L are my main too weapons of choice.
As the title says, all the gear but no idea. I live almost on top of Farnborough and I am 20 mins from LHR. Just looking for advice on where I can take pictures at any of the southern airports in the UK. Just worried about getting arrested under the anti terrorism laws and such like.
LHRsunriser From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 399 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 2440 times:
Ive got a feeling you may find it easier! However you will be affected by the weather far more.
In the southern airports its difficult to get good photos of aircraft on the ground rotating/touchdown and hence if the weather is crap you have no option to drop the shutter speed.
To get started I would recommend Myrtle Avenue at Heathrow when landing 27L or there is a field at the end of 09L. Sorry if the runway jargon baffles you I don't know how into aviation you are.
I am sure there is a Heathrow Spotters wiki page if you search google.
Lexy From United States of America, joined Jun 2006, 2362 posts, RR: 9 Reply 3, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2407 times:
Quoting Lankygit (Thread starter): Finally got around to signing up and getting started. Aviation Photography is up there as one of the things I am desperate to have a go at. I have spent the last 2 years working as a photographer in the British Touring Car Championship, so my experience in things that fly is zero.
As for the "experience" comment, I beg to differ my friend. I think you may find "Aviation Photography" to be a simple pick up for you!! You certainly aren't hurting for equipment, that's for sure. HAHA!
Quoting Lankygit (Thread starter):
As the title says, all the gear but no idea. I live almost on top of Farnborough and I am 20 mins from LHR.
UGH! I envy you and where you live. For "Aviation Photography", that's a really nice place to be in all honesty.
AKE0404AR From United States of America, joined May 2000, 2534 posts, RR: 50 Reply 4, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2384 times:
So we are pretty much in the same boat here....I have been doing this for the last 10+ years and still don't know what I am doing wrong.....
Joking aside...welcome to the wonderful world of commercial aviation........
Since you are not a newbie in regards to photography, I am sure you have a decent tripod, maybe a Wimberly Head....hand holding a 400f2.8 for a longer period of time can be quite challenging.
I have a similar set up 70-200 2.8 and a 600f4. I would say about 90-95% of my shots are taking with the prime. It needs a lot of thinking, planning etc and you might not always get the a/c side on.....but you will get an unusual perspective.
Dendrobatid From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2004, 1606 posts, RR: 64 Reply 5, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2336 times:
Quoting Lankygit (Thread starter): I have spent the last 2 years working as a photographer in the British Touring Car Championship, so my experience in things that fly is zero.
Chris
Like the name BTW....
I think that what you are likely to have is what is known as transferrable skills and if you are competent at the Touring Cars (I suspect that you are), then you will have no trouble adapting to aircraft.
Living near LHR is going to give you a head start for practice and there are likely to be lots of people about to give you a hand and advice. Myrtle Avenue would be a good starting point.
Can we see some of your car shots....upload them to your profile and then display them here (instructions are under Add images)
Chris, if you put a heads up out on the forum, giving the dates of your intended trips to LHR, I'm sure they'll be a few locals willing to hook up and show you the spots mate.
Spence.
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
Trackcharlie From United Kingdom, joined Apr 2008, 76 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (3 years 8 months 1 week 1 day ago) and read 2276 times:
When 27R is the arrival runway then Way Avenue is a good place to go. It's off the A4 and parking is easy, you go through an alley into a grass area where you can move around lots (for the prime I mean) and I've never had any bother with or seen a copper there. TBH I do feel a bit uneasy with expensive gear on display (I have the 70-200 2.8 also!) but having said that I have never had any bother.
Myrtle Avenue is also good (for 27L arrivals) but you will need a shorter lens for bigger stuff. My 24-70 is ideal here. Your lenses are fine for smaller stuff though. And for 09L arrivals the field off the perimiter road is a popular spot although you may get your collar felt for parking!
These are the only 3 places I've ever tried - there are other spots - I guess someone else can fill in.
Can't comment on Farnborough although some web research gave me the impression it's not aviation photographer friendly. Wait for the airshow - you may not even ave to leave the house!
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