MNSpotter From United States of America, joined Jun 2012, 2 posts, RR: 0 Posted (11 months 2 weeks ago) and read 3898 times:
Hi, I've been thinking about taking a trip to LAX to go spotting. I've never been there before and I don't know a whole lot about it. The places I would like to spot at are Imperial Hill, In and Out Burger (including the little grassy park right next to it), and The Proud Bird. Probably my primary concern is security. How tolerant are they of photographers in those areas? Secondly, is the area safe for me to have my camera out? In that regard, are there usually other spotters around? I'd feel better around other spotters as opposed to alone.
I'm thinking about going in the summer. I noticed that a lot of the photos from Imperial Hill were taken in the winter. Is it because of the position of the sun and heat haze? Would shooting in the morning and evening help alleviate that? Also, what time is best for international arrivals and departures?
I haven't even seen a single cop or security person in any of these 3 spots.
Quoting MNSpotter (Thread starter): Secondly, is the area safe for me to have my camera out? In that regard, are there usually other spotters around? I'd feel better around other spotters as opposed to alone.
Why wouldn't it be safe? You'll be needing it out to take photos anyway..
Depends on day/time of day. You see the odd tourist at In-N-Out sometimes. Usually there are a handful of people at Imperial Hill. Only been to Proud Bird once but the place was desserted.
Quoting MNSpotter (Thread starter): Would shooting in the morning and evening help alleviate that?
I suppose so.. But you also get the better light when shooting at that time. Though I don't know how good it is overall during summer as the sun changes and I've only spotted there in winter.
Quoting MNSpotter (Thread starter): Also, what time is best for international arrivals and departures?
Depends on what you want to catch. You'll need to know the runway they usually land on too (although this can change) or you'll watch them come in from a long way away or never see it at all.
vikkyvik From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 8224 posts, RR: 28 Reply 2, posted (11 months 1 week 6 days 22 hours ago) and read 3862 times:
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Quoting NZ107 (Reply 1): Quoting MNSpotter (Thread starter):
Would shooting in the morning and evening help alleviate that?
I suppose so.. But you also get the better light when shooting at that time. Though I don't know how good it is overall during summer as the sun changes and I've only spotted there in winter.
Morning and evening will be terrible at Imperial Hill over the summer. Everything will be backlit. Your best bet for the summer is probably around 2-3 PM, but no matter when you go, the light's not going to be great.
Quoting MNSpotter (Thread starter): Probably my primary concern is security. How tolerant are they of photographers in those areas? Secondly, is the area safe for me to have my camera out? In that regard, are there usually other spotters around? I'd feel better around other spotters as opposed to alone.
For Imperial Hill and the In'n'Out, you have nothing to worry about. There are almost always spotters/photographers at those locations, and they are well known and accepted for spotting/photographing. No hassles at all. Can't speak for the Proud Bird, but if you want to photograph from their property, you'll probably have to eat there.
Quoting MNSpotter (Thread starter): Also, what time is best for international arrivals and departures?
As NZ said, it's very dependent on what you want to see. I'm usually over at the In'n'Out in the late afternoon/evening, and for arrivals I typically see Virgin 346, Lufthansa 346, ANA 772, Air China 77W, Air Canada RJ, Westjet 73G, Delta 330. Additionally, I sometimes see BA 744, China Cargo 77F, China Airlines Cargo 744F, EVA 77W, Turkish 77W, United 772, ANZ 77W.
I'm not so familiar with the departures, but I was at Dockweiler beach last week in the afternoon, and caught AF 380, SQ 380, and ANZ 77W all departing from the north side.
Arrivals can definitely change, depending on whether they land on the north side or south side. I'd guess departures are more consistent, but I don't really know.
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NZ107 From New Zealand, joined Jul 2005, 5672 posts, RR: 40 Reply 3, posted (11 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 3832 times:
Quoting vikkyvik (Reply 2): Morning and evening will be terrible at Imperial Hill over the summer. Everything will be backlit. Your best bet for the summer is probably around 2-3 PM, but no matter when you go, the light's not going to be great.
Right, yeah - I was meaning to say morning/afternoon light is good to shoot in. Knowing that pics turn out nice from Westchester Pkwy only during summer shows what Imperial Hill will deliver.
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