Dobbins (Atlanta) Airshow - who is going??

Anybody disappointed in the show? While the acts were great, too many people, staring at the sun all day it was hard to follow the planes once they went up. I won't go back to Dobbins!

In2Photos wrote in post #11118191
Anybody disappointed in the show? While the acts were great, too many people, staring at the sun all day it was hard to follow the planes once they went up. I won't go back to Dobbins!

I loved the show from a purely entertainment perspective but hated it from a photography perspective. Shooting in the sun, too much smoke, and too much non-essential stuff parked between the crowd and the ground action. I think I would like to shoot more air shows but I need to research which ones are better for photos. I'll definitely keep coming back to Dobbins though.

timeasterday wrote in post #11118373
I loved the show from a purely entertainment perspective but hated it from a photography perspective. Shooting in the sun, too much smoke, and too much non-essential stuff parked between the crowd and the ground action. I think I would like to shoot more air shows but I need to research which ones are better for photos. I'll definitely keep coming back to Dobbins though.

I talked to a guy at the show who said the one at Peachtree a few weeks ago was great for photography. He said there was maybe 8,000 people, instead of the 120,000+ at Dobbins!

In2Photos wrote in post #11118191
Anybody disappointed in the show? While the acts were great, too many people, staring at the sun all day it was hard to follow the planes once they went up. I won't go back to Dobbins!

The number of people was insane on Sunday; which is what you get when you don't charge admission I guess. I can only imagine what getting out of there at 5:30 was like, but I had to leave before the end of the show.

RWatkins wrote in post #11118771
The number of people was insane on Sunday; which is what you get when you don't charge admission I guess. I can only imagine what getting out of there at 5:30 was like, but I had to leave before the end of the show.

We left right after the Angels. Two of my party went to get in line while the rest of us got toys for the kids and a couple of waters. They did pretty good getting us out of there. I think we were in line for an hour. Witnessed a few people pass out and get wheeled over to the medic station!

We left Lockheed at 5:30 and I couldn't believe the traffic on the highways around there. Bumper to bumper in some spots. Do people in Atlanta just like to drive?

In2Photos wrote in post #11118910
Do people in Atlanta just like to drive?

If that is what you want to call it, sure. I think of Atlanta traffic as fast parking.

timeasterday wrote in post #11118373
I loved the show from a purely entertainment perspective but hated it from a photography perspective. Shooting in the sun, too much smoke, and too much non-essential stuff parked between the crowd and the ground action. I think I would like to shoot more air shows but I need to research which ones are better for photos. I'll definitely keep coming back to Dobbins though.

OK, here's something to ponder . . .

In the Northern hemisphere, the sun will be in the Southern sky. As the day wears on, it will move to the South-Western sky. So, with runway 15/33, standing on the ramp at Dobbins (located on the North side of the runway), shots of airplanes in the sky will be shooting in the direction of the sun. This is exacerbated later in the year (October) as the height of the sun is lower in the sky than in early summer (June). All this can you help decide which airshows will be optimized for airborne shots.

As can The Photgrapher's Ephemeris...

Simply choose the date, align the centroid with the approximate show center point of whatever airport or base you'd like and you can scrub the timeline to see right where the sun will be throughout the day (and the moon for those killer full moon behind aircraft shots!)

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #11123765
As can The Photgrapher's Ephemeris...

Simply choose the date, align the centroid with the approximate show center point of whatever airport or base you'd like and you can scrub the timeline to see right where the sun will be throughout the day (and the moon for those killer full moon behind aircraft shots!)

But how do you know where you will be situated at any given show? Is there a list somewhere of shows that are better for photography. I was checking into the show at MCAS Beaufort, SC and it looks like we would most likely be to the south of the runways facing north. That one might be good for next year. I also need to check into Pensacola. Both are not too bad a drive from here.

timeasterday wrote in post #11124368
But how do you know where you will be situated at any given show? Is there a list somewhere of shows that are better for photography. I was checking into the show at MCAS Beaufort, SC and it looks like we would most likely be to the south of the runways facing north. That one might be good for next year. I also need to check into Pensacola. Both are not too bad a drive from here.

I would like to know too!

In2Photos wrote in post #11124884
I would like to know too!

For shows at military bases, it's pretty much carved in stone that crowds will be restricted to the ramp area.

For smaller shows, try visiting Fence Check and look for galleries from past shows at the facility in question. If all else fails, give the organizer a call.

Oh, and just something to think about: Being dead show center isn't always the ideal location from which to shoot. Using the ephemeris, see if far left or far right would give you better light!

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #11125251
For shows at military bases, it's pretty much carved in stone that crowds will be restricted to the ramp area.

For smaller shows, try visiting Fence Check and look for galleries from past shows at the facility in question. If all else fails, give the organizer a call.

Oh, and just something to think about: Being dead show center isn't always the ideal location from which to shoot. Using the ephemeris, see if far left or far right would give you better light!

Thanks - I was just looking into the NAS Pensacola layout and that really looks good. Next spring will be a great opportunity for us as the Blues are in Beaufort at the end of April and then at NAS Pensacola a few days later. I'm definitely arranging time off for both shows!

timeasterday wrote in post #11124368
But how do you know where you will be situated at any given show?

Usually the best bet is to check the web site for a given show to see the map or layout. Google Earth or Google Maps are good choices to see runway and ramp layouts. If you still need help, the airshow phone contact will usually suffice for finding out exactly where the crowd lines and public access points will be.