Aviation photography is challenging. There’s no doubt about it. It requires a tremendous amount of patience, practice and knowledge. There is something incredibly rewarding, however, about capturing a sharp, well-exposed image of an aircraft as it soars through the sky. In this overview, I will discuss the right equipment, settings and techniques needed to produce high quality aviation photos, whilst showcasing some of my own work.

Equipment:
The better the camera, the better the photo. It’s simple. Whilst the price of a DSLR camera varies hugely, a Nikon D3200 or Canon 650D can be picked up for just under £300. Shooting aircraft, especially at airshows, will also require a telephoto lens in order to capture close-up images.

Settings:
To begin with, I would recommend using Shutter Priority Mode (Tv Mode), which allows the photographer to choose a shutter speed, whilst the camera adjusts the aperture to ensure a correct exposure. As you progress, you may want to switch to Manual Mode. Photographing warbirds or helicopters, requires a slower shutter speed of between 1/100th and 1/320th in order to blur the propellers or rotors. It is vital that you keep the amount of camera shake to a minimum, as this can produce a soft image. Use a low ISO to avoid noise.

Panning:
Panning is a popular technique for blurring moving objects. When photographing aircraft during take-off or landing, it is important that you blur the background of the image to create an impression of speed. To achieve this, lower your shutter speed to between 1/80th and 1/250th. Track the aircraft in a smooth, steady motion, whilst keeping the subject within the centre of your viewfinder. To capture a sharp image, keep your feet apart, bend your knees slightly, and rotate your hip. If necessary, use a monopod for added stability.

What settings do you shoot with? Do you have any photos that you would like to share?