Wings Over Houston Oct 23-24

[PhotoSHO]

Just a early reminder that the Annual Wings Over Houston airshow will be October 23re and 24th this year. They will have the Photo sunrise tour and Photo pit once again this year. The sunrise tour is limited in availability. The Photo Pit has an un-obstructed view of the show and is just for serious photograhers. A great place to meet like minded people. I went last year and it was a great time.

[mcrawley]

As much as I would like to do this, this little blurb on the site makes it a non-starter for me:

The Airshow performance and many performers' acts are copyrighted, and your photography or video cannot be used for commercial purposes. All rights to photos during the event remain with the Commemorative Air Force and the performers. Permission must be granted in advance for anything other than personal use.

[RKEnnis]

I plane to go. I attended the airshow last year, but didn't do the sunrise portion. I'm planning to do that this year.

[d2creative]

Originally Posted by mcrawley

As much as I would like to do this, this little blurb on the site makes it a non-starter for me:

You're shooting private property on private property, so yes you would need a property release to sell your photos.

But some people like to shoot for.... oh i don't know.... fun?

[RKEnnis]

Originally Posted by d2creative

But some people like to shoot for.... oh i don't know.... fun?

Exactly. And for me, shooting an airshow is a blast! I can't get enough.

[mcrawley]

I didn't mean to start anything. Even when I shoot for fun, I always retain my copyrights. I have had photos become more valuable years down the line that were throwaways when shot.

[corralup]

Last year was my first time and I'll be going back again this year. Getting there early early is the key to good on the ground display shots!

[popawalker]

I'm just gonna volunteer at the special airshow on friday. I hope to be able to get some pictures.

[Trish]

Can anyone advise the best time to get there? Haven't been before so not sure what to expect. Going to try the general admission Saturday to see how it goes.

[popawalker]

Early!!! The later you try to go the worse the traffic will be, we went at 9:30 last year, it took over an hour to get from beltway 8 to a parking spot.

[LEO III]

Trish, it depends on what you want to see and how long you want to be there. I'm not trying to be as flippant as it sounds. With the temperature high forecast to be 86 degrees and a 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms, that means it will probably be hot and humid. You'll spend the day on a hot concrete tarmac, and the only shade will be under the wings of the big planes on the static display.

My main interests are the Warbird Static Display, which is open from 8AM to 11AM, and the Thunderbirds, which fly at 3PM, so that means I have to be there when the gates open and leave when they close and still wait awhile for the parking lot to clear. Everything in between is great and neat and fun too, but I have my two favorites.

The Warbird Static Display will have a bunch of old (mostly WW II-era) warplanes lined up in rows. I put my 24mm lens on my camera and spend my whole time walking among them and taking photos. A couple of the big WW II bombers are open for a walk-through for a nominal fee. The earlier you get there, the better it is, because it gets more crowded the closer it gets to 11, and it’s almost impossible to get any clean shots of the planes after awhile. Also, while it’s advertised that the Warbird area closes at 11, they start herding the people out around 10:30.

The flying starts around 10AM. The first act is usually the F-22 Raptor, and his high-speed pass down the flight line is the one that generates all of those pictures of the water vapor enveloping the plane, assuming the humidity is high enough and the temp is still low enough. If you want that shot, you’ll have to be closer to the flight line and ready for the shot. You’ll probably only get one chance. Having said that, I don’t see the Raptor on the schedule this year yet, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be here.

Like I said there are lots of great acts flying during the day, and you can shoot as much or as little as you want. There is also a larger (non-Warbird) static display that you can roam around all day long, lots of food and drink stands, lots of places to buy souvenirs.

You may bring your own food and drink, but you may not bring a cooler into the show. You may bring and leave one in your car, though. I usually just pack water into the show with me, and I leave a cooler of cold drinks in the car.

You may bring your camera bag (it will be searched at the gate), but I usually leave mine in the car and just pack in my camera and the lenses I’m going to use, extra batteries and cards in my photo vest. There are in and out privileges, so if you feel like walking back to your car for something, that's not a problem. You just need to get your hand stamped.

Naturally, the crowd increases the closer it gets to T-Bird time, so you’ll want to stake out a spot. Like the rest of the show, everything takes place up in the air, but there are definitely good viewing spots and better viewing spots, if you’re not right on the fence. Keep that in mind as you roam the show, and look out for a good spot to plant yourself. It might not be there later, but at least you’ll have an idea ahead of time.

Remember your cool clothing, walking shoes, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and water.

If you go Saturday and learn all the ropes, you can go back Sunday as a veteran and get all the shots you missed.

[roncd]

I went last year and used the Bay Area park and ride. Best $4 I in a long time.

I was at the park and ride around 8 a.m., took the bus to the drop off area not far from the gate, took about 20 minutes to get there.

Then after the show was over, went back to the drop off area, took about 15 minutes to get on a bus and was back at the P & R in about 20 minutes.

The Bay Area seemed to be the least used and is the farthest away. This was good for two reasons, the line to get on the bus after the show was the shortest and the traffic leaving the P & R was less. I was on the highway and on my way home in not much over 30 minutes after the show was over.

[Trish]

Thanks everyone for the great info :) Sounds like I need to leave about 7 a.m. Probably go both days, Sat to check it out in general and Sunday I'll have a better idea of what I want.

Leo III, thanks so much, I definitely want to get some shots of the Warbird display. I plan on staying all day unless I wimp out before it's over

[LEO III]

You won't wimp out.

I'll be in the Warbird section both mornings. I'll be wearing white shorts, a photo vest, and a floppy, white Ron Jon Surf Shop hat. If you see me, come say "Hey."

[Trish]

Will do. Thanks!!!

Trish