Back to Basics

[MilT0s]

This is just a warm up - what I really want is an aircraft taking off towards the camera (50/50 change, but the gods of aviation weren't smiling at me that night).

Well that should be easy. The aircrafts always land and take off opposite to the current wind. Once the wind changes, the direction changes. All you need is a detailed forecast which is easy for airport areas and a compass to be sure about the orientation of the runway.

Hope one day you get a 800mm f1.0 and a Mercedes Benz to carry it.

[FrankMi]

This is just a warm up - what I really want is an aircraft taking off towards the camera (50/50 change, but the gods of aviation weren't smiling at me that night).

That will be a much tougher challenge. It's not hard to position yourself at the landing end of a runway as planes are landing at a typical 3° glide slope but on takeoff they start at the other end of the runway and can be off the ground and climbing steeply before they cross the half-way mark. It would be difficult even with a long zoom lens.

If the aircraft is anywhere close to the ground when they clear the far end of the runway the pilots are likely to have wet themselves, or worse!

That kind of a shot could work if you can position yourself at the edge of the runway and about 1/3rd the length of the runway from the aircraft's starting position. To do legally, that will require special permission.

[RockNGoalStar]

That is very cool indeed! Very inventive and a great result. Love it!

[Colin Southern]

Well that should be easy. The aircrafts always land and take off opposite to the current wind. Once the wind changes, the direction changes. All you need is a detailed forecast which is easy for airport areas and a compass to be sure about the orientation of the runway.

As a pilot it's even easier for me -- I can just ring the control tower On the night though it was pretty much at 90 deg to the main runway - toss a coin - I lost!

[Colin Southern]

That will be a much tougher challenge. It's not hard to position yourself at the landing end of a runway as planes are landing at a typical 3° glide slope but on takeoff they start at the other end of the runway and can be off the ground and climbing steeply before they cross the half-way mark. It would be difficult even with a long zoom lens.

Hi Frank,

Nah - they use typically about 70% of the runway here. The other prob is I need to use F1.2 to have a hope in heck of stopping the motion, and only 1 lens can do that!

[Colin Southern]

That is very cool indeed! Very inventive and a great result. Love it!

Thanks Tommy

[MilT0s]

As a pilot...

A pilot and a photographer. That explains everything then!

On the night though it was pretty much at 90 deg to the main runway

I never thought what would happen in that case. Bad luck.


I am not a fortune-teller but I see more fantastic shots on the way.

[oldgreygary]

I very much enjoy the style and presentation of this image. The clarity and sharpness looks to me to be spot on. Well thought out and executed. Certainly a standard and quality to aspire to.

Cheers for now

Gary

[Colin Southern]

A pilot and a photographer. That explains everything then!

Well technically anyway these days. The planes I love ... it's just some of the people around them that I couldn't stand!!

I never thought what would happen in that case. Bad luck.

It was an easterly too - which around here means "show time"

I am not a fortune-teller but I see more fantastic shots on the way.

Hopefully!

From "younger days" ...

[Colin Southern]

I very much enjoy the style and presentation of this image. The clarity and sharpness looks to me to be spot on. Well thought out and executed. Certainly a standard and quality to aspire to.

Cheers for now

Gary

Thanks Gary - I do my best

[Bobobird]

Not even going to try - brain addled today and off very early in the morning for the 16 hours flight.

But - it is a very nice image and a worthy subject to emulate at our own airports.

[FrankMi]

From "younger days" ...

It is always nice to be able to put a face with a name. You're the one with the aviator sun glasses I take it?

[Colin Southern]

It is always nice to be able to put a face with a name. You're the one with the aviator sun glasses I take it?

Hi Frank,

Thanks. Yes (I'd be a little surprised if passengers came dressed like that!)