Target Aviation Photography

Top Shots Gallery 1

In the Dark ....

Concorde (G-BOA*) of British Airways, a rare visitor to Christchurch International, New Zealand in 1991.

The shot was taken in the middle of a torrential downpour in howling wind. It was only because it was such a rare visitor to Christchurch that I persevered with the shot. I am pleased I did because the elements particularly the water - contribute so much to the result. I was in the fortunate position as a police officer to have the approval and assistance of airport security staff in obtaining this shot.

Taken at about 3:00 am, I took a good number of bracketed shots to ensure at least one was right. The film was Fuji Velvia (which I found quite flexible for night-time long exposures like this) and exposure was approximately 45 seconds (I bracketed between about 30 seconds and 120 seconds). Camera was the Nikon F801 with a Nikon 35-70mm zoom lens. It required the willing assistance of my partner and a wet & frozen aviation security officer who kept a waterproof cover over me and my equipment in the terrible wind to keep the tripod stable enough for the several lengthy exposures.

Lufthansa Boeing 747-430 (D-ABVE) departing Frankfurt, 3^rd October, 2003.

I was using my Canon EOS 10D with a Canon EF 100-400mmL IS lens it was set in automatic mode with exposure probably of 1/500, ISO100. It was a beautiful "Indian Summer" evening with the sun setting through some distant clouds. I was hoping for the right aircraft and climb angle, and after some attempts, this LH 747 was in the right spot at the right moment.

A Finnair MD-82 (OH-LMZ) approaching Helsinki-Vanta's runway on 20th January 2004.

This shot was taken in freezing (-17*C) temperatures on a beautiful evening. The photo was taken with my Canon EOS 10D camera with a Sigma 135-400mm 4.5-5.6 lens at 350mm, 1/125^th exposure at f16 and ISO 200. The skies where clear, but behind the threshold of runway 04L are some factory chimneys emitting dense steam, which occasionally covered the sun. I noticed a MD-80 coming with very thick vapor trails and took some pictures with different settings. I was freezing but the results warmed me up.

Harrier GR.7 (ZG531 / 85) of 1 Sqn RAF on arctic winter training (Excercise Snow Falcon) at Bardufoss Air Station in Norway on 3^rd November 2004.

I was using my Canon EOS D60 and Canon EF 70-200mm f2.8L USM lens set at 1/350^th, f2.8, ISO400 and 170mm focal length. I was also using a monopod to steady the camera. Shooting a full 6 aircraft recovery, I just got lucky in catching the green light flashing. The aircraft was rolling out after a rolling vertical landing.

VC-25, (82-8000) USAF at Belfast International (Aldergrove) Airport on 13^th December 2000 for President Clinton's final visit to Northern Irelend.

I was using a Pentax Z1 with a 28-70mm FA lens. It was taken from inside a van with the window down, on the ramp at BFS, a tobacco filter was used to kill the bright winter sky. It was a miserable day until 3pm when finally the sun came out and the shot was taken. It was taken at around 1/250^th at f16 on Fuji Sensia 100 slide film.

Canadian Forces CF-18B Hornet (188916) at Abbotsford International Air Show (8th to 10th), Canada taken on 11th August 2003 in the early hours.

The picture was taken with a digital Canon S40 with 2.5 second exposure at f4 200 ISO. Following the Air Show party and still under its influence, I used my tripod to capture this night time shot, under moon light. I had flown in from Calgary and was camping air-side.

C-17A Globemaster III (01-0193) USAF at Brussels National (Zaventum/Melsbroek) on 1st November 2003.

I was using my Canon EOS 10D with Canon EF 28-90mm lens at 28mm, 3.2 secs, f4 and ISO 200. I did not have a tripod with me but improvised by resting the camera on a vehicle and using a box of cigarettes and a handkerchief! The result justified the extra effort and time to take this picture. The humidity gave a nice light diffusion of the apron lights.

Supermarine Spitfire LF.IXc (H-53 / MN424 ex RNLAF) taken at Aviation Themapark Aviodrome, Lelystad in Holland on 27th November 2003.

I used my Nikon D100 with 35-70mm f2.8 ED D lens and DX80 Flash. The camera was hand held at 35mm (x 1.5=52mm) 1/60 f5,6, ISO 400, D-TTL flash +1.0 EV on front curtain..

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