Plane Spotting ~ for the first time

[Rick Denham]

Nothing major, but spent 2 days at 2 airports with family so I decided to bring along the MKIII & a 300/2.8 with1.4x. The first shots are from Pearson Int. in Toronto, the second batch is from Buffalo Int. The Toronto shots were really bland, nice grey skies and only a few planes of interest (most come in after 2pm, we left at 2:30). Buffalo was gorgeous, but planes are sparse.

Be kind, this is my first post in here, as well as my first attempt at shooting planes. So C&C would be much appreciated as I mainly shoot sports & weddings


Toronto

http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510796335_zWbb6-O.jpg
Air France on approach a mile out

http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510796763_W6FcT-O.jpg
Air France a few 100ft out

http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510794193_WwENT-M.jpg
This was taken at 16mm, either Air Canada or American Airlines

http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510794516_jQrVA-O.jpg
LAN getting ready to touch down

http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510795567_Tbygf-O.jpg
Air Canada Jazz on final approach

Buffalo
http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510792401_sx2GV-O.jpg
Jet Blue taxiing to the gate after landing

http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510789246_pPzfs-O.jpg
Air Tran taking off on a windy day

http://alteredimages.smugmug.com/photos/510790901_vuc5F-O.jpg
Southwest heading out

Cheers, RD

[12 Wyoming]

Rick, I can't help you much, because I am a newbi myself. But it sure is fun getting out there and trying! The Southwest plane has beautiful colors!

[RadAL]

looks like you were using high shutter speed for the non propellor planes which is fine, but when you shoot propellors, use low shutter speed :P

[Aviation Junkie]

nice shots! I really like #1 and especially #3. They're different from the normal airplane shots.

[mlav]

You need to keep an eye on those highlights. A bunch of them have wiped out detail.

For the JAZZ, get the shutter speed under 1/200. Way under if you can pan smoothly. I think I may have shot that plane here in Detroit. Get those props blurred. For the jets, I'll go in Av at around f/8 (gives me 1/1250 or 1/1600 @ ISO100 or 200 depending on sun or clouds) and set the Tv at 1/160 or 1/125 for the props. on the 400mm. With the 70-200 on my other body, it's easy to go way under 1/100 on the prop planes.

Cool composition on 1, 3 and 6.

I always try to shoot the tail numbers even if the shot in unusable to help ID the planes later and see where they have been on airliners.net and jetphotos.com. It's amazing how many places some of the planes have been.

Be careful, you can get addicted to shooting planes, especially when you find good shooting places.

[Rick Denham]

Thanks for the comments guys. I knew the highlights would be an issue, especially the TO shots. I also figured the props would be noticed too, much like any vehicle you should always try to get a sense of movement. Mlav, thanks for the help, man I don't know how you would be able to tell you shot that specific Jazz plane, there were so many of them landing that day. I did shoot the tail numbers so I will check out airliners.net & jetphotos.com , cheers.

[PhotosGuy]

Airshow guys - prop freeze? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=229542)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/PhotosGuy/Forum%20Junk/Welcome-ChargerRT_020.gif