Nightshots
Nightshots are one of the most challenging tasks for any aviation photographer, but with some common sense, anyone can achieve good results. Luqa Airport is blessed with a number of good locations from where to take nightshots, so if you know your stuff and have the right equipment, you can catch almost any movement, any time. Getting the Basics Right The obvious problem with nightshots is the lack of natural light. This makes it difficult not only to give a shot the required exposure, but also to focus on the subject. The only way to get sufficient light is to prolong the exposure period, even beyond 1second. This means that, inevitably, the subject has to be stationary, and the camera has to be stable throughout the exposure period. You will almost always be using the B setting if you had to shoot in fully manual mode. Luckily SLR cameras are now sophisticated enough to calculate the required exposure time for us, so that's one thing less to worry about. Equipment Besides the now obligatory SLR camera, you will need a tripod and preferably a set of zoom lenses covering the range from 35mm to 400mm, depending on the subject size and its location. The tripod has to be sturdy enough tokeep the camera stable, even with a large zoom lens which may be required, as even a gust of wind could blur an otherwise good nightshot. A vibration reduction lens may be a good investment. Location These locations can be used for nightshots, depending on the location of the subject: Photos have been added to illustrate possible shot angles. and lighting effects. Please appreciate that they represent a learning curve and equipment upgrade - you can definitely achieve better results in most cases! Park 4 - anywhere along the fence, or on the wall across the road. You will need a 35-210mm lens range to cover any parking slot within the park, depending on the parked aircraft's position and its size. FROM WALL -http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00153248&size=large
FROM FENCE -
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=244145
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00192513&size=large
Park 3 / Park 2 -
Treshold 14 is an acceptable location, but you will need big zoom lenses well beyond 200mm to get close enough, and there again, the aicraft is usually parked in an unconventional angle.
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00228545&size=large
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00228544&size=large
Park 9 -
If the aircraft is parked facing the terminal, in the middle bays, the viewing gallery is your best bet. For the two bays closest to the VIP bay, the VIP gate or the field across the road is the best choice. For the bay closest to the Kirkop tunnels, and thos facing the runway opposite the terminal, the Spotters' Wall is the best choice. The VIP gate could be used for the closer runway-facing parking bays, but the lighting poles tend to get in the way. If you REALLY have big zoom lenses, you could also opt for the Medavia gate, which gives a great angle shot for the aircraft parked between the lighting poles, without the poles getting in the way.
FROM GALLERY -
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00191658&size=large
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00153242&size=large
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00153243&size=large
FROM VIP GATE
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=371970
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00229941&size=large
SPOTTERS WALL
http://www.myaviation.net/search/photo_search.php?id=00228139&size=large
Timing
The best time to take a shot of an aicraft is either when it has just come to a stop in the parking bay or upon startup. Startup is by far the best time, as the aircraft would be clear of all ground support equipment.
Technique
Assemble the tripod and make sure that it is in a stable position. Secure the camera on the tripod, well before the aircraft is set to start up.
Compose the shot by changing the settings on the tripod. Try to avoid including bright light sources from the photo.
Focus manually. The split image system would be ideal in this situation.
Set the camera to aperture priority or fully-automatic.
Assess the lighting conditions on the subject. Chances are the one part of the aircraft is more brightly lit than another part. Overexpose to compensate in such cases. On the other hand, if the aircraft is right under a bright light source, you may opt to overexpose by about half a stop to reduce glare.
Do not shoot by depressing the shutter button, but use the timer function. This will eliminate any camera shake. Or if you want to take it one step further, get yourself a remote control for your camera. It's only a few pounds for a Nikon D70 controller, not sure about other makes.
When shooting from the viewing gallery, bring the lens as close as possible to the window. Use some thick black cloth or garbage bag to cover the window to remove any reflections in the glass. A polarising filter is not such a good idea, as it limits the already limited light available. For best results, wrap this cloth around the lens, and outstretch it against the window. Be careful that it doesnt obstruct the camera's view of the subject.
Vibration Reduction lenses need some special care, because of the autofocus interference. First switch off the VR and focus. Switch off the autofocus and switch on the VR. Dont forget to switch on the autofocus again afterwards!
If you have a digital camera, take a few exploratory shots beforehand, so that you can fine-tune your camera's settings prior to the actual startup of the aircraft.
Nightshots are one of the most challenging tasks for any aviation photographer, but with some common sense, anyone can achieve good results. Luqa Airport is blessed with a number of good locations from where to take nightshots, so if you know your stuff and have the right equipment, you can catch almost any movement, any time. Getting the Basics Right The obvious problem with nightshots is the lack of natural light. This makes it difficult not only to give a shot the required exposure, but also to focus on the subject. The only way to get sufficient light is to prolong the exposure period, even beyond 1second. This means that, inevitably, the subject has to be stationary, and the camera has to be stable throughout the exposure period. You will almost always be using the B setting if you had to shoot in fully manual mode. Luckily SLR cameras are now sophisticated enough to calculate the required exposure time for us, so that's one thing less to worry about. Equipment Besides the now obligatory SLR camera, you will need a tripod and preferably a set of zoom lenses covering the range from 35mm to 400mm, depending on the subject size and its location. The tripod has to be sturdy enough tokeep the camera stable, even with a large zoom lens which may be required, as even a gust of wind could blur an otherwise good nightshot. A vibration reduction lens may be a good investment. Location These locations can be used for nightshots, depending on the location of the subject: Photos have been added to illustrate possible shot angles. and lighting effects. Please appreciate that they represent a learning curve and equipment upgrade - you can definitely achieve better results in most cases! Park 4 - anywhere along the fence, or on the wall across the road. You will need a 35-210mm lens range to cover any parking slot within the park, depending on the parked aircraft's position and its size. FROM WALL -