Recently, I've received a bunch of e-mails from a.net photographers about spotting at Seoul. Like 'when is the best season' or 'where to grab a nice shots'. Obviously, Many spotters around the world have been showing the interest on doing their hobby at the gateway of Korea. However here hasn't been a decent guide - or the updated guide - for doing the photography in Korea. I found most guides online is either outdated or wrong.
So I decided to post on a.net forum about spotting in Korea, especially with ICN/GMP.
As you guys know, Korea has been in a cease-fire status since 1953. Thus, spotting in Korea has been thought as something risky and hazardous.
Well I can say, at least spotting at ICN/GMP is no more considered as either espionage or crime since authorities are 'trying to' recognise the planespotting as a hobby. Situation is getting better from '12 after the huge contribution of Korean spotters' suggestion to IIAC has been made. But, It's still tough even for locals to get our hobby 'safely done' here, Nevertheless I'd like to help out every worldwide spotters who're interested in spotting at the gateway of Korea. Probably popularisation of spotting in Korea could result in making ICN/GMP as 'spotter accommodating' place!
Anyways, I'll list some of the most frequently asked questions here.
Q. When is the best season for plane spotting in Korea
A. I'd say, except for the March and April along with July & August, weather in Korea is usually very nice. Many of you will ask me why I excluded March to April from the list. That's because Spring is the season of Chinese dust and haze which TOTALLY ruins the quality of photo. Weather itself is very sunny during that period, but the haze will decrease the visibility thereby resulting in horrible pictures. Personally I favour September and October, when we get the highest chance of clear air and sunny days. Winter season is very tricky; If you can handle the freezing cold of Korea, it'll be a perfect season for takeoff shots, but otherwise,
.Q. Any special traffics?
A. Depends on what you want. Traffic here is almost the same all-year-round. Most of the traffics are KE, OZ and Korean LCCs and Chinese carriers. European and SE Asian carriers usually arrive in the morning whereas American carriers do it in the afternoon. Maybe DL/KL/UA 744 can be somewhat interesting along with KE/LH 748s.
Q. How's the security reacts to our hobby.
A. Apparently, as long as you don't get close to the airport fence it will be totally fine. Bring your ID card always with you, and be polite to them. They don't have the legal validity to arrest you (It's relaxing, Right?
) but to continue the photography, do as what they say. But if they ask you to leave, you can insist your own right for photography since the chief security officer at Incheon Int'l allowed photographing planes without ANY irrational treatment of airport securities. I think SIN shows the most similar spotting condition when compared to ICN! So never worry too much. It should be fine.Q. What lens would be best for spotting at ICN/GMP?
A. 70-300mm is totally enough for APS-C bodies. 100-400mm is more appreciated. Longer you have, better your photos are!
If you have more questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment or e-mail me. I'll be happy to assist you as much as I can.
And if you're visiting Korea during 21 July~09 August this year, I can actually join you and take you around some fabulous places here! So never hesitate to contact me for further assistance.
Best Regards,
Jamie Chang
