Aviation Photography by Philip Stevens available for any assignment. 1000's of images (mostly action). Features on Air shows, Low Level, Air to Air and Base Visits. Bias towards military aircraft and photographic ideas/inspiration. Images for sale as prints or under commercial license.

   

Low level photography from the hills

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 On-Target ......  Philip Stevens, an aviation photographer for over 30 years
Flying with Special Operations Forces On the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt Flying with the Army Air Corp
Ready, willing and available for any assignment .......


I am constantly looking for opportunities to enhance my portfolio with exciting images and written features. 

If you would like some air to air photographs I would by happy to offer my services free of charge. 

Got an idea then just ask....using either or both of the following email addresses  

Please use these email addresses to make contact

  My Published Work   (See my annual portfolio of published material)

 
Skycontrol.net: aviation & aerospace news

Philip Stevens, is an Editorial Partner of Skycontrol e-Magazine  
writing regular aviation photography features for this very popular Aviation e-Magazine, 
 

 A number of aviation and photography magazines have recently published my work, notably; 

Aircraft Illustrated,  Air Combat,  Air Forces Monthly,  Air International,  Airports of the World,  Aviation History,  Aviation News,  Aviation and Time,  Club Wings,  Combat Aircraft,  Control & Automation,  Flieger Revue,  Flight International,  General Aviation,  Loop,  Lotnictwo, The Moth,  Pilot,  RAF Magazine,  Rivista Aeronautica,  Royal Air Force Yearbook,  Royal Air Force Annual Review,  Digital Photographer,  EOS Magazine,  Outdoor Photography and even in Maxim!

 Aviation Photography - The aims of this website

Firstly, the Target Aviation Photography site aims to promote my main interest in life (apart from my family), aviation photography. I think and breathe aviation photography! If I am not planning for an assignment or event, whether it be in the UK, Europe or North America, then I am taking time off to go to Wales or Cumbria for some low level flying photography. Aviation Photography for me includes, vintage and veteran civil aircraft, warbirds (see Duxford/Imperial War Museum) and modern military aircraft add a bit more excitement to aviation photography, when they are flying. I am lucky to be able to fly with the RAF and other air forces for air to air images, which takes my aviation photography a stage further. Military base visits, give me a chance to talk to pilots and to get in close. Aviation photography is so much better when the shots are taken of aircraft in their natural surroundings, and way from the public and barriers.

Secondly, the Target Aviation Photography website aims to bring ideas and inspiration to other aviation photographers. I hope that does not sound too pompous! I am just fed up of the same old side-on shots. Action, angles, scenic backgrounds, sunsets should all be included in the thought processes.

 About Me

I was born in Toronto, Canada in 1956. My father served with the RAF in the 50's, but after moving to Canada for some years we returned to England to settle in the Midlands. From the mid 1960's I lived in Elmdon Lane, beside Elmdon Airport or as it is now known, Birmingham International Airport. I witnessed the first jet to land there in 1967, a KLM Douglas DC-9. I took up spotting from the age of nine or ten and photography followed a few years later. My first serious camera was a second hand Pratica 35mm SLR. I remember taking landing shots with my only lens, a standard 50mm, at RAF Valley in the early 70's whilst sitting amongst the landing lights, the jets were full frame! I bought my first telephoto lens in 1973 a 300mm f5.6 Sigma for just £22, my telephoto lenses have been replaced many times since, with more expensive models. I have favoured Canon equipment for the last 25 years or more.

I have traveled widely searching for the most interesting and exciting aircraft images. I specialise in military aircraft and civil aircraft, as long as the type first flew before 1960. Why 1960 you ask, well prior to the 60's aircraft were hand crafted and had character, they were not the mass produced 'tins' of the modern day. I must admit these days it is getting harder to find quality civil aircraft when turning up by chance, at say some small French airfield. My favourite civil airfield is Cerny-La Ferte Alais just outside Paris, which is the home of l'Amicale Jean-Baptiste Salis (AJBS), and it's wonderful collection of veteran (warbirds!) aircraft. They also host the Meeting Aerienne at the end of May/early June each year.

My favourite museums are the Italian Air Force Museum (Museo Storico) at Vigna di Valle, Rome and the Belgium Air Force Museum (Musée Royal de l'Armée et d'Histoire Militaire) in Brussels. I must have visited Vigna di Valle at least 20 times over the years, the lakeside vista, the incredible unique exhibits are just a wonder. One of my favourite aviation shows used to be at Woburn Abbey, England where the DH Moth Club held their annual Moth fly-in.

I have taken colour prints, processed my own black and white prints in a dark room constructed in my bathroom. I have 1000's of slides from a period when I did not have the time to process my own film and prints. I now take digital images which has given me, once again, full creative control over the pictures I take. My two children and long-suffering wife struggle to understand my obsession for aviation photography, but are still very supportive.

Mostly self taught, I did go to college to study photography and achieved an 'A' grade at GCSE level. I went on to get distinctions at 'City and Guilds' level exams for the following subjects; Movement and Action, Portraiture, Natural History, Black and White, and Photo-journalism.

Whilst I have images regularly published in books, magazines and on websites, I feel that nowhere near enough of my work has seen light of day.

This website is my opportunity to present my images to the world, I hope you enjoy them.

Philip Stevens

Please note: All images (unless otherwise stated) remain the copyright (c) of Philip Stevens, 
and should not be used in any medium without my written permission.