Well it took me exactly two weeks to get all of my airshow photos edited and the post-production work done, but the photographic airshow is now ready over at Flickr. Out of the 1400 images, I narrowed it down to 62 that I liked. Here’s a link to a few of my favorite aviation images: Flickr Aviation Album.
Above – The Lima Lima Flight Team performing in their T-34 Mentors. This photo was made using the Nikon D7000, Nikon AF-S VR 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 AF-S, handheld.
@Bob Williams Thanks for comments and questions. I know your area well. I fly radio control sailplanes over at the Hampshire Forest Preserve not too far from you.
For shutter speeds, I typically use 1/1000th for jets and drop to 1/250th for props. Some suggest dropping down to 1/125th for props, but I’ve been pretty happy with 1/250th. I think it has a lot to do with the type of aircraft too. Most of the airshow stunt planes have a pretty high RPM, so 1/250th works just fine. I recently photographed the Stearman Fly-In over in Galesburg and 1/250th darn near stopped the props. So, 1/125th would have been more appropriate.
I do always pan with the aircraft. In fact, I have a blog post on that very subject: http://www.digitalphotographymastery.com/blurbackground
Hope this is a help. If not, feel free to throw some more questions my way.
Wes,
I just got to your blog from “Photonaturalist”. I will be reading more, but I got hooked on your Rockford Air show pictures. I live just done the road from Rockford in Huntley, IL.
I have shot an Air show in Kirksville, MO for a few years. My goal was to get the plane in focus and the propellers blurred. You did a great job of that. Can you tell me your shutter speed. I assumed you panned with the plane. Any hints would be helpful.
Great work –
Bob Williams
Huntley, IL