Here are the aviation photography tips as shared in Week 1.
- Focus
- Continuous autofocus (AF-C or AI Servo AF)
- Focus tracking if available
- Group of focus points (or all/auto)
- Exposure – several options
- Manual metering
- Spot metering (off plane)
- Exposure compensation – +1 to 2 stops
- Mode
- Shutter priority – set for aircraft
- Fast for jets – ~1/1000
- Slower for propellor blur – start at ~1/200
- Spitfire sweet spot is ~1/160
- Helicopters real challenge – slow props but body movement
- Frame rate
- Continuous – ~6 frames per second
- Lens
- 100-400 good start
- 150-600 first choice of many
- Fixed focal length restrictive
- Support
- Hand held – flexibility
- Gimbal head for long/heavy lenses
- IS/VR on auto for modern systems
- Panning
- With prop blur
- Plane moving in 3 dimensions – not easy to get all sharp – hence many frames
- Light
- Try to keep light at your back – watch the sun!
- Avoid glare
- Use clouds for interest
- Post processing
- Reduce highlights, lighten shadows
- Mild HDR
- Watch for sensor dust!
- Drop in another background or texture
- Ex-/current nature photographers
- Andy Rouse
- Moose Peterson
- Airshows/Opportunities
- RIAT, Duxford, RNAS, Eastbourne
- Mach Loop, Wales
- Other shows/flypasts
- Museums
- White Waltham!