"K,"

First off, don't be embarrassed at all. Photography is a continual learning process. I've only shot a couple of air shows and I think when you start shooting in some way new to you it takes a bit of practice. Obviously, the photos you posted are not sharp. So getting sharp shots with the correct composition is difficult when things are moving fast. I shot my last show hand-held, using a Nikon D500 and a Nikon 80-400 lens. I've included a few pics from a recent show, two hours standing off the runway in 104 degrees!! and the heat caused the images to have a heat shimmer in some cases, which I liked.

Here is some of what I do: Set my camera so that I have the fastest shutter speed possible for the given conditions; if it's bright, which it normally is, the ISO will be fairly low even at high shutter speeds. I set my f/stop around f/5.6 or so. Shutter speed is my primary concern for moving objects. Try to find that shutter spot where the plane is sharp but the rotors (right word? don't know anything about planes) will be slightly blurred to show motion, although this is not always possible. Watch the pattern for the take offs and landings and watch the area where the planes are sitting as planning ahead helps a lot. Start to follow the plane with your camera as soon as it begins to move down the runway and constantly focus on it, as it starts to lift off focus as needed and follow the plane with your camera and turning body (use your body as a brace to hold the camera steady) as it moves down the runway and leaves your sight, do not stop taking a photo until it is gone as some drama may occur that you will otherwise miss. Moving shots take practice. I use back-button autofocus but you will need to learn how to do this long before you go out to take shots that you want to keep, so practice with it first. Leave your lens opening wider in order to get the entire plane in until you learn how to set your sites quickly on moving objects, most often you will want to get the entire plane in the image. Also, it looks like your shots needed some editing, maybe a bit of clarity or a tone curve, they are somewhat flat. Watch the background, it can be difficult to find a decent background in some cases. Again, knowing the landing and take off area and following the plane through the process can help with this. Keep practicing, as will I!

I was out doing a lens test today - looking for BIF to use my new Canon 80D and 400mm L prime on. ( Still using Sony for most things other than BIF)

I knew there were Otters in the area because I was getting glimpses of them sporadically for the past 3 years ! ( but NEVER a photograph ! )

Yesterday we saw 2 adults swimming ........TODAY, we saw one adult with two young ones. We saw the adult get a fish and disappear with the young ones into dense foliage. They move very fast and you only get about 20-30 seconds of opportunity. I managed a decent shot of the adult only ! - but good enough for a box-check on my bucket list. This is my first Otter shots since I retired 6 years ago ! ( they are very elusive)

Tomorrow, since we now know there are young ones, we will return and try to get a family shot

Canon 80D, 400mm 5.6 L prime, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, hand held sitting on ground ......