Aviation photography is a unique form of photography that requires special equipment, knowledge and skills.

It’s also one of the most rewarding types of photography you can do because it shows off one of mankind’s greatest achievements: flight.

Introduction to Aviation Photography

When you’re shooting aviation photos, you’re capturing something that most people have never seen before–even if they’ve been on an airplane before!

You’ll be able to share your photos with friends and family who never knew what it was like to fly in an airplane or helicopter before they saw your images on Facebook or Instagram (or whatever social media platform you use).

That’s why aviation photography is so special–it gives us all a chance to experience something new through someone else’s eyes!

Choosing a Camera and Equipment

When choosing a camera, there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, consider the type of photography you want to do:

if it’s sports or wildlife shooting, then an SLR would be ideal;

if it’s landscape photography and travel shots that interest you most, then perhaps an advanced point-and-shoot will suffice.

Secondly, decide on whether or not you want interchangeable lenses and how many megapixels your camera should have (the higher the number of megapixels on offer by the manufacturer means better quality images).

Thirdly–and this is especially important for those who want their photos printed large–consider purchasing filters such as UV filters or polarizing filters which help reduce glare from water surfaces such as lakes or oceans;

they also reduce haze caused by dust particles in air pollution.

Location and Timing

The best place to take aviation photography is the airport.

You can find plenty of planes parked on the tarmac, or even better, taking off and landing.

If you’re lucky enough to be near an airport with a control tower, that’s even better!

You’ll get some great shots of pilots communicating with controllers as well as some cool shots from above the clouds.

It’s also important to consider when you’ll be taking your photos: early morning or late afternoon?

If you’re shooting during sunrise or sunset, make sure that there aren’t any shadows falling across your subject matter–the last thing anyone wants is a silhouette photo!

Safety Considerations

Before you get started, it’s important to consider safety.

The first thing you should do is make sure that your aircraft has the proper insurance coverage in case anything happens.

You should also check with your local airport to see if there are any airspace regulations that apply specifically to photography flights–many airports have specific rules regarding where planes can fly and when they must land, for example

You’ll also want to make sure that the pilot has permission from air traffic control (ATC) before taking off so that he or she can avoid other aircrafts in the area during takeoff and landing.

Composition and Angles

Composition is the art of arranging elements in a way that creates a visually pleasing and balanced image.

The key to composition is finding a balance between foreground, midground and background elements.

The horizon line is an important element in any photograph because it divides your image into two equal parts: sky above and land below.

This can be used to create symmetry or asymmetry in your shots depending on how you frame them.

Leading lines are another way to add interest to your photo by directing viewers’ eyes towards specific parts of the frame (like an airplane).

Angles give dimensionality and depth so try experimenting with different angles when shooting aircrafts!

Lighting and Exposure

The first thing to consider when taking a picture is the lighting.

There are two types of light: natural and artificial.

Natural light is the kind that comes from the sun, moon and stars (and even some planets).

Artificial light can be anything from street lamps to flashlights or fireflies!

Natural Light

When using natural light for your photos, you’ll want to make sure that it’s not too bright or too dark so that your subject doesn’t get washed out by the brightness of day or hidden by shadows at night.

You also want to make sure that there aren’t any harsh shadows where they shouldn’t be–this could ruin an otherwise great shot!

If you’re shooting indoors during daytime hours without any windows nearby then try turning off all lights except those needed for safety purposes (like exit signs) so that only sunlight shines through onto whatever object(s) you’re photographing;

this will give them better definition than if they were being lit up by multiple sources simultaneously.”

Editing

Editing is the process of making your photos look their best.

It’s also where you can get creative and make your photos stand out from the crowd, so it’s important to know how to edit your images properly.

Editing software is available for free or purchase on all platforms, including desktop computers and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

There are many different editing programs available–some are designed specifically for aviation photography while others are more general purpose photo editors that can be used with any type of image file.

   

Cropping – Cropping means cutting away parts of an image so that only what remains fits within a given frame size (such as 16×9 pixels).

You’ll want to crop any time there is unwanted space around an object in your shot; otherwise this extra area will be visible when viewing the final product at full size onscreen or printed out on paper.

Color correction – Color correction refers specifically towards adjusting color values within an image using curves or hue/saturation adjustments.

Retouching – Retouching refers specifically towards removing blemishes from skin tones using healing brushes

Aviation Photography – Tips and Tricks

Shooting from different angles is one of the best ways to get a unique perspective on your subject.

Try getting low, or using a high angle to make your subject look more dramatic.

Props can be used in many different ways for photography, but they’re especially helpful when you are trying to capture action shots or scenes with people in them.

For example, if you want to take pictures at an airport, bring along some fake luggage and props like hats or sunglasses so that when people walk by they will be more likely to stop for their picture taken!

Panning is another great technique for capturing motion blur in your photos;

it involves following the subject as it moves across the frame while keeping the camera still (or panning).

Aviation Photography – Conclusion

In conclusion, we hope you’ve enjoyed this guide and learned something new about aviation photography.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below!