Ground to Air Photography
Ever wondered how some of the brilliant ground-to-air photography is done? Here we talk to Peter Lewis about photographing II(AC) Squadron Aircraft from the Welsh hillsides.
Low level Photography by Peter Lewis - link here Welshi23 on Flickr
Pete uses a Canon 7d MkII or a Canon 5d MkIII and a Canon 300mm 2.8 L is Lens.
'Shooting in bright sunlight, use shutter priority (TV) with a speed of 1/1250 sec and ISO of 100-200 ; set to Auto White Balance and evaluative metering. Set AF to A1 servo and high speed continuous (these settings for Canon, Nikon uses slightly different names). You need to be continuously aware of changing light conditions - Increase ISO up as far as 600 to compensate for bad light, and if light gets worse adjust speed down to a slower shutter speed of say 1/800 to allow more light in. For snowy conditions the camera will think it is too bright and expose for the snowy background rather than the plane; compensate for this by adding +1 stop of exposure compensation. Similar adjustment required if shooting a plane against bright sky rather than a hillside, add say + 1/2 stop exposure compensation.'
Remember these images are the property of Pete, but if you contact him through Flickr I'm sure he can let you use some!
'Shooting in bright sunlight, use shutter priority (TV) with a speed of 1/1250 sec and ISO of 100-200 ; set to Auto White Balance and evaluative metering. Set AF to A1 servo and high speed continuous (these settings for Canon, Nikon uses slightly different names). You need to be continuously aware of changing light conditions - Increase ISO up as far as 600 to compensate for bad light, and if light gets worse adjust speed down to a slower shutter speed of say 1/800 to allow more light in. For snowy conditions the camera will think it is too bright and expose for the snowy background rather than the plane; compensate for this by adding +1 stop of exposure compensation. Similar adjustment required if shooting a plane against bright sky rather than a hillside, add say + 1/2 stop exposure compensation.'
Remember these images are the property of Pete, but if you contact him through Flickr I'm sure he can let you use some!
These two were taken on the Bwlch Exit During the snow -15 freezing conditions
Cad air Idris, known as cad west, on a summer day. This location is good after 1500hrs before the sun is wrong and in your face making all aircraft backlit and dark.
The following 3 are taken at Bwlch Exit Grid ref SH795168.
Finally, the Spur, only good on cloudy days as sun in face all day - right hander before the climb up towards the bwlch. Grid
SH 8137516676.
SH 8137516676.
