50Best settings for shooting airshows?

I wasn't quite sure where I post this.. I hope I put it in the right spot. If not, please feel free to move where it needs to go.

I was shooting some pictures at the local airport experimenting with the new camera and when I got home, every one of them is very washed out. It was partially cloudy outside, so that could explain why the sky was never the right color but even where I know it should be blue, it was a weird greenish color. At that time, ISO was 160, shutter speed around 1/640 but not sure what the exposure was exactly. I had it on full manual.

I'm very new to the DSLR world and I'm not used to having control over so many settings. I don't want to just shoot in auto, I want to learn in manual so I understand my new camera.

Here's how all of them look:

My Go To Settings:

Props: 1/125 @ f/13 (I'll go for even slower on the SS if I'm feeling really on top of things)
Jets: @ 1/1500 @ f/4

Next Question...

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9226445
My Go To Settings:

Props: 1/125 @ f/13 (I'll go for even slower on the SS if I'm feeling really on top of things)
Jets: @ 1/1500 @ f/4

Next Question...

Will that fix the color issues I'm having? I supposed I'll always need to do a bit of editing, but I want to get a good picture that's vibrantly colored the first time. I guess everyone does tho.. Thanks for your help!

Yeah, you're definately over exposed here.

Even in manual, you can't always trust your meter. I'm going to assume you were centering the exposure needle based on metering the Cobra? Its luminance value fooled your meter into wanting to let in more light than was really needed.

Do you own a grey card of any kind? If not, I'd suggest you snag one and take it out in the field with you. Set the shutter speed you want, put the grey card in the sun, meter the card to set your f/stop and then try some shots without changing anything.

Oh, and shooting Helos is a different animal entirely. Helo Rotors turn at a much lower RPM than fixed-wing props.To get sufficient rotor blur, you want to start at 1/90 and go slower from there if possible.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9226547
Yeah, you're definately over exposed here.

Even in manual, you can't always trust your meter. I'm going to assume you were centering the exposure needle based on metering the Cobra? Its luminance value fooled your meter into wanting to let in more light than was really needed.

Do you own a grey card of any kind? If not, I'd suggest you snag one and take it out in the field with you. Set the shutter speed you want, put the grey card in the sun, meter the card to set your f/stop and then try some shots without changing anything.

Oh, and shooting Helos is a different animal entirely. Helo Rotors turn at a much lower RPM than fixed-wing props.To get sufficient rotor blur, you want to start at 1/90 and go slower from there if possible.

That's a great a idea with the grey card. I'm gonna go get one tomorrow and try that.

I'll remember to slow down my shutter for the helos as well. Thanks!

Thanks tons for the advice!

have you tried panning?

Bhargav wrote in post #9226600
have you tried panning?

No I held it pretty still save for following the movement of the helo, unless that's what you mean by panning? I'm very new.. still getting the terminology down.

SkyBaby wrote in post #9226623
No I held it pretty still save for following the movement of the helo, unless that's what you mean by panning? I'm very new.. still getting the terminology down.

Panning is moving horizontally to keep a moving target (person, bike, car, plane, etc) in the center of the frame.

What lens are you using?

This is probably why they're washed out: Post #47 The background will influence the meter reading. Which is why I use...

For a good starting point, first set the f-stop OR shutter speed you need for the effect you want. Then the other parameter: shutter speed or f-stop. Then adjust the ISO.
Need an exposure crutch?
If you don't already have a gray card, see post #13.

More reading for the weekend: Shooting airshows in Manual