via the lens wrote:
"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!
"K," br br First off, don't be embarras... (
show quote)
Appreciate the information. I am already using BBF so thats one less learning curve ! I did PP but try to leave the results in a realistic form. I know you are not suggesting it but I don't like the Thomas Kinkade painting look that some folks go for so I may have been a little too conservative with my saturation/vibrance. I am also thinking that my focus was not forward enough - especially with the F16 - so the small lag between focus and shot shifted the focus point backward. I have a pretty good idea when shooting race cars how to compensate for the movement by panning and also how to position myself for the best shot. I find it challenging that for some reason the airports don't allow you to stand on the runways !!! Don't they know that would make for some great photos ??
Where do you center your focus when shooting airplanes - especially high speed jets?
Thanks again for your help.