Tips, rules, etc.

I'm thinking of starting to photograph aircraft, and wondering if there are any rules I should abide by. Do I have to notify security of what I am going to be doing? I won't be entering any restricted areas, but with homeland security, TSA, local law enforcement, etc, do I need to contact anyone in advance? What if I'm actually standing off property?

Have any of you heard of a club where the goal is to photograph as many numbers off the planes as you can?

Thank you for any advice. Love the posted pictures, and hope to be able to contribute soon.

If you're off the property and not right up against the fences you should be fine at most Airports.

Not sure about the US but here in Canada, I've had no issues as long as you are courteous and respectful to any Security or Law Enforcement that might question you.

It might be handy to look up your local airport information with regards to the runway layout so you can pick a spot where you can get the action you're looking for.

ie. Location of the thresholds for touchdown shots etc.

If you have any specific questions you can also contact the local Airport Authority.

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdis​play.php?f=119

You're in the 'Photo Sharing' section.

96whiteknight wrote in post #13639545
You're in the 'Photo Sharing' section.

So I'm moving this to "Talk".

And regarding "rules I should abide by.", don't forget the ones in my Sig: Look at the background, & pay attention to the light when you shoot. Good luck!

TSmith8779 wrote in post #13639467
I'm thinking of starting to photograph aircraft, and wondering if there are any rules I should abide by. Do I have to notify security of what I am going to be doing? I won't be entering any restricted areas, but with homeland security, TSA, local law enforcement, etc, do I need to contact anyone in advance? What if I'm actually standing off property?

What size airport? Security at major hub airports can get "twitchy" if it's one where there aren't normally a lot of shooters. NY and Boston are particularly sensitive to photographers due to 9/11. Boston especially has a "Never Again On My Watch" mentality about all of their transportation infrastructure.

You'd do better to visit smaller airports where you can go in and actually introduce yourself and explain what you're doing. Face to Face always makes things go smoother.

Beware of so-called "Spotter Groups" which sometimes have hugely overzealous members that routinely bend (and break) rules to get shots or even just to see tail codes. Some of the folks in Europe (and here in the US) are notorious for sneaking around airports and military bases with just binoculars (+ no camera!) just so they can see and record registration numbers and military bureau numbers. We sometimes have issues with the more aggressive types who come to Arizona and Southern California who always seem to run afoul of security and thereby mess it up for others.

Airshows and Public Fly In events are a great way to dip your toe into the world of aviation shooting. Look for nearby smaller airports which often have Open House events or sometimes will host Fly In Pancake Breakfasts. These are wonderful events where you can get up close to the action, meet the pilots and shoot the bull about flying.

Just remember the cardinal rules about being on any airport ramp:

- Expect every propeller you see to start turning at any moment!
- Keep your head on a swivel
- Don't move in places where pilots can't see you
- Don't touch without asking
- Be very mindful of your gear around aircraft. More than one person has bent over to get a shot and heard a very sickening THUD as their second body swings into a tail or fuselage and bends metal or rips fabric.

Also, if you are shooting large airliners, it'll be almost 100% fine with them, but as for private planes, or planes owned by small organizations, do yourself a big favor (and also for them) by asking for permission before you shoot away.

I have great shots of an Adventist Aviation Papua PC-6 and Tariku Caravans operating off jungle strips, but they prefer not to get their shots published (The operators are missionary and humanitarian, respectively.)

As FlyingPhotog has already pointed out, be very, very careful on the ramp (airplane parking lots). Especially in Papua, we have at least one incident per year which involves a careless pilot and an unsuspecting catering truck driver. (Or the opposite - a careless driver) My airport is infamous for having local residents randomly playing on the runway, so the control tower has a siren that it turns on 5 minutes prior to airplane action. Well, one day I was standing about 7 feet from the runway when they gave me the siren warning - I turned around to see a big fat Antonov 12 on final. I pretty much ran away from the runway for my life. (But I still got my shot.)

Anyway, be careful, don't act like a terrorist, obey authorities, and so on. Your Sigma 120-400 will serve you well.

EE makes a good point...

Whatever you do, do it in plain sight! Don't try to hide from anyone or try to shoot .. duck back in the car, shoot, duck, shoot, duck, shoot, duck, etc...

Stay out in the open and just shoot. Act like you're there on purpose (which you are) and don't be "sneaky" about your activities.