Photographing around airports?

[totalbeginner]

A route that I regularly take to work goes past the end of the Runway at one of the London airports. There is a gap in the hedge and behind a beautiful view of the approach lights.

When the conditions are right, I'd like to try and capture some images there, but my only concern is that of security. I know how sensative airports are at the moment and don't want to be the cause of a secuirty scare. Obviously I will be outside of the airport perimeter, but while pointing a camera up at aircraft, I don't want to be mistaken for an armed terrorist, if you get my drift.

Any advice?

[JWright]

You might be able to get away with it if you were in the US, but I get the impression police in the UK are less forgiving about stuff like this.

[Andrushka]

I've done it in the US too, but i was looking over my shoulder the whole time, just waiting for the PD to roll up... (shooting with a 70-200 f/4) but none did, but man i was nervous and it was almost not worth it just because of that... you and i know that if in fact you WERE a terrorist with a shoulder launched SAM a plane would have already bit it by now, ironically, but if your into the airliner thing i'd look for a more secure private property, like a hotel, restaraunt, office, something of that nature, and take a buddy to be your look out! haha! :-)

[alcar721]

I had the same concern as you since I did this a couple times over the summer. I contacted the local PD before going out, saying where I was going to be, when and where I wanted to do it. they had no problems with it. They did get a couple calls apparently, but jsut explained to people what I was doing.

[arizona85224]

Not sure how things are by you, but I do it all the time here in PHX, AZ.....Never had any problems, I'l hang out for and hour or two. I can go on the roof of one of the terminals, but still not in the mood to pay the parking fee.

[Jkim13]

I had the same concern as you since I did this a couple times over the summer. I contacted the local PD before going out, saying where I was going to be, when and where I wanted to do it. they had no problems with it. They did get a couple calls apparently, but jsut explained to people what I was doing.

That seems like a good idea. Calling them ahead and explaining to the authorities before they freak out

[FatAlbert]

A route that I regularly take to work goes past the end of the Runway at one of the London airports. There is a gap in the hedge and behind a beautiful view of the approach lights.

When the conditions are right, I'd like to try and capture some images there, but my only concern is that of security. I know how sensative airports are at the moment and don't want to be the cause of a secuirty scare. Obviously I will be outside of the airport perimeter, but while pointing a camera up at aircraft, I don't want to be mistaken for an armed terrorist, if you get my drift.

Any advice?


You found somewhere around a London Airport to take decent pictures, well done! I had a long look at LGW and LHR over the past few years but couldn't really find anywhere suitable. I did stop off around the N Perimeter rd at LHR - no problems with local PD.

I now live in ATL GA and have got some great shots around there - no interference from the PD. Mind you at ATL you don't have to go too far to get some close up shots.

[BoySpot]

If you want to shoot at LHR, Myrtle Avenue is supposedly a popular spot. As for being hassled by the police, if you drive around the peri road on the east side, there is a patch of grass there which is often packed with shooters so I suspect you won't be out of place. If you are on public land, you are free to shoot at will.

[Lester Wareham]

A route that I regularly take to work goes past the end of the Runway at one of the London airports. There is a gap in the hedge and behind a beautiful view of the approach lights.

When the conditions are right, I'd like to try and capture some images there, but my only concern is that of security. I know how sensative airports are at the moment and don't want to be the cause of a secuirty scare. Obviously I will be outside of the airport perimeter, but while pointing a camera up at aircraft, I don't want to be mistaken for an armed terrorist, if you get my drift.

Any advice?

Even in the early 80s I had trouble with this, but it was at least just private security and in those days the police in the UK did not have such a reputation for shooting people for no apparent reason.

You could try talking to airport security.

[asylumxl]

Even in the early 80s I had trouble with this, but it was at least just private security and in those days the police in the UK did not have such a reputation for shooting people for no apparent reason.

You could try talking to airport security.

Ooh, controversial! Reference to MET and Menezes. Politics on POTN :eek:!

[Lester Wareham]

Ooh, controversial! Reference to MET and Menezes. Politics on POTN :eek:!

Well that is not the only case, for example the fellow who got shot because he was walking down the street with a table leg. It does not pay to walk around the UK with anything that might be taken for a gun these days, not any more.

Not really controversial just factual.

[asylumxl]

Well that is not the only case, for example the fellow who got shot because he was walking down the street with a table leg. It does not pay to walk around the UK with anything that might be taken for a gun these days, not any more.

Not really controversial just factual.

I guess so. I don't quite understand how anyone would take a camera for a gun though...

[FlyingPhotog]

Well that is not the only case, for example the fellow who got shot because he was walking down the street with a table leg. It does not pay to walk around the UK with anything that might be taken for a gun these days, not any more.

Not really controversial just factual.

And it's always been so...

Police everywhere have always had an aversion to hiding things under a coat.

If you think this is new, sorry, it just ain't so. What has changed, IMO, is that law enforcement are charged with defending against more than just the petty crook or the drunk and disorderly. They are now the first line of defense against terrorism in their own communities. Some handle it better than others but it's a big change for them in terms of what they are expected to detect and deter.

[Buttkicker]

Having taken photographs at Airports and Military bases all over the World...
the USA is by far the worst for the Police showing up, the line usually starts with
you have been reported for taking Photographs of Aeroplanes

well as the US is supposedly the biggest democracy in the World, I find it quite bizzarre at just how Paranoid they have become

Memorys of the KGB in Russia spring to mind

[Lester Wareham]

And it's always been so...

Police everywhere have always had an aversion to hiding things under a coat.

If you think this is new, sorry, it just ain't so. What has changed, IMO, is that law enforcement are charged with defending against more than just the petty crook or the drunk and disorderly. They are now the first line of defense against terrorism in their own communities. Some handle it better than others but it's a big change for them in terms of what they are expected to detect and deter.

Yes indeed. But don't forget for most of us in the UK over the age of 20 (and I am a long way over), armed police was something rare in the UK for a few special occasions like the odd armed bank robbery. So incidents of kids playing with toy guns being nearly shot is quite a change.

Of course the police are having to deal with kids that are toting real guns these days; this is a big change in the UK and has only really been an issue in the last 5 years.

Coupled with the again very recent increase in paranoia regarding terrorist threats it is a very different environment now. Why they are so paranoid now I am not sure when we have had decades of IRA bombs going off but there it is.

Anyway, I had intended get this thread off topic like this, just a bit of advice from one member of the public to another.

Probably best if we move on now.

[GSH]

You might be able to get away with it if you were in the US, but I get the impression police in the UK are less forgiving about stuff like this.

Really?

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Other/AF1/IMG_0209.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Other/AF1/IMG_0224.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Other/AF1/IMG_0226.jpg

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Other/AF1/IMG_0214.jpg

All taken during El Presidente's visit to Blair's home 4 years ago..i live about 15 minutes away.

The Police didn't bother anyone that day and were quite interested in some of the camera gear people were using, in a curious rather than professional sense. After i shot those (rather poor due to 300D & Sigma 135-400 being my kit at the time ;) ) i went off to the terminal building and happily mingled with everyone inside...including quite a few Secret Service types who were being vigilant but certainly not paranoid.
I expected hassle as i was carrying a camera backpack but none was forthcoming.

So, go shoot your planes. The worst that can happen is the local Plod ask what you're doing. :)

[FlyingPhotog]

Yes indeed. But don't forget for most of us in the UK over the age of 20 (and I am a long way over), armed police was something rare in the UK for a few special occasions like the odd armed bank robbery. So incidents of kids playing with toy guns being nearly shot is quite a change.

Of course the police are having to deal with kids that are toting real guns these days; this is a big change in the UK and has only really been an issue in the last 5 years.

Coupled with the again very recent increase in paranoia regarding terrorist threats it is a very different environment now. Why they are so paranoid now I am not sure when we have had decades of IRA bombs going off but there it is.

Anyway, I had intended get this thread off topic like this, just a bit of advice from one member of the public to another.

Probably best if we move on now.

Thanks for the reminders re: the UK and fire arms. I think we here in the USA forget that low-level crime involving guns is a somewhat recent issue for you.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled photo discussions... :idea: