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Taking Night Shots...

Spotterboy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Posted (8 years 12 months 13 hours ago) and read 899 times:

Hello!

I'm interested into night shots of aircraft.
I've never tried to do some yet. Any tips for me?!?

Are there preferable flims needed ? What else do I need for making acceptable night photos???

Thanks!

Florian

4 replies: All unread, jump to last

Jwenting From Netherlands, joined Apr 2001, 10213 posts, RR: 25
Reply 1, posted (8 years 12 months 12 hours ago) and read 822 times:

tips: take a tripod, take fresh batteries (modern cameras eat batteries like there is no tomorrow during long exposures) and preferably a cable release.

Exposure is a bit hit and miss, so experiment. I've had good success with about 15-20 seconds at f/8 shooting aircraft lit arclights on a moonless night.

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Photo © J.T. Wenting

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=68209

I use Provia 100F, works well. Most film will show reciprocity law failure at such long exposures which you need to compensate for (that's one reason why the exposure is a bit hit and miss).
Here you'll find a table listing approximate corrections: http://www.usefilm.com/showarticle.php?id=10 compiled from manufacturer specs.

Be extremely conscious of the wind! Airports are often windy places which can cause camerashake. During daytime that's not noticeable even when using a tripod but during long exposures your entire setup could end up vibrating thus leading to blurred pictures!
If possible set up in a sheltered spot or stand between your tripod/camera and the direction from which the wind is blowing.

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=68208

If there's more light left (so dusk/dawn) you can often get away with panning arriving or departing aircraft using exposures of 1/30 sec or so with a 300mm.
This takes a lot of practice and you'll find that maybe only one in ten shots is good but it's worth the effort.

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Photo © J.T. Wenting

If you're lucky to catch the setting (or rising) sun in the frame, you can get dramatic effects.
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=68259

Here's some more examples by others:

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Photo © Jussi Kettunen

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Photo © Jorgos Tsambikakis

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Photo © Luis Rosa

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Photo © Propfreak

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Photo © Jim Woodrow

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Photo © Hank Nix

I wish I were flying

Spotterboy From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR:
Reply 2, posted (8 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 23 hours ago) and read 766 times:

Tanx very much for your help!!!

regards, Florian

UTA_flyinghigh From Tunisia, joined Oct 2001, 6495 posts, RR: 54
Reply 3, posted (8 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 21 hours ago) and read 748 times:

You need to have a camera that can operate at low shutter speeds, i.e a few seconds to as much as one minute. You will also need a tripod and some decent slide film. Here's some examples of what I do with a Canon EOS300V and ISO100 Fuji Sensia Laugh out loud