Red Arrows - rubbish

These are rubbish I know. My first attempts at aviation (I'm usually a tranquil dawn or dusk kinda guy) I am posting in the hope I pick up a few tips and read this group a little more.

I was poorly positioned here with the sun bang on into my lens pretty much. I did take some video and on looking back there were opportunities to get better exposure and positioning during the display - but at those times I was with the 5D on video settings and with only a 105mm lens.

When I picked up the 7D with the 70-200mm F2.8 IS USM and Kenko 2X most of the action was into the sun - hence the silhouettes. Ok for the smoke trails but poor for detail on the aircraft.

I know I needed the polariser on too - but left myself little time to set-up properly.

Fire away with the criticisms they will only help me to improve.

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'image/gif' | Redirected to error image by FLICKR

What was the exit on the images?

There are times when that is the best you can get. At an air show you're position limited by the space provided and the show isn't necessarily set up to best utilize available light. There is smoke and exhaust fumes to deal with also.

Looks to me like you under exposed a bit, if you weren't in manual mode switch to it and expose for the planes and not the sky. In some of those shots you'd have blown out the sky, but that is better than the darkies you see on some of the planes. I'll guess you were using AV mode which sets you up for the metering guessing wrong on the exposure, forcing you to live with it or push too far in post which will be a noise inducer.

Edited to add: Also, if you're not shooting RAW, start today. It allows you more range of adjustment of exposure in post and will keep the noise floor as low as possible when pushing or pulling (preferable) in post.

Everyone has to start somewhere, & I especially like #2. Some help: Shooting airshows in Manual

Hi All - thanks for the tips - very helpful. Yes I was in Tv mode trying to freeze things sharp. I changed quickly between video (on 5D) and stills on the 7D and rushed it - not taking time to adjust.

Great tip on exposing the plane - that is where I made my key mistake. Easier to edit out an over blown sky - than using curves to try and get the colours in the planes back.

PhotosGuy I hadn't even thought about my focus settings yet. So the link was very helpful. I liked the advice 5 stops either way in manual mode - jet to prop - hadn't thought of that either.


They were shot in RAW - but even with an effective 640mm focal length the planes were tiny so these are all 1:1 crops. Due to the underexposure I couldn't move the levels without fringing.

Very helpful advice all - will try and get better next time.

I should have said in my earlier post that those are definitely a good start for you.

It isn't like I'm an expert or anything. I'm just passing on what I've learned from the few mistakes I've made and corrected by reading posts on this site and through trial and error. You'll get there soon enough as long as you're having fun. The worst part about air shows for me is lack of ability to locate to take best advantage of the sun. But, there are very valid safety reasons for all of that I know. I'm not credentialed, but I don't think that makes a huge difference other than I think they try to put you near the taxi spot.

Thanks HKGuns - very kind. These were taken at the Windermere Air show - on the banks of the Lake - not sure where the planes were leaving from - however being at the Airport (or any other location on the sun-side would have helped).

I appreciated the feedback and tips - coming out-of-field - the advice is very useful.