Solo Flight - photographing flying objects

[Roxy]

I have a few ideas, but I was wondering if anyone has photographed a solo flight before or had ideas? When you land, they cut the back of your shirt off for some reason, so I would get a picture of his back facing me and him looking back and smiling. Also I don't know if I can get a picture of him in the air, but any tips...because I have never tried to photograph a flying plane before.

[pepper52]

I remember my solo flight in both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. It was quite an experience. I would have loved for someone to take a picture of my shirt being cut and hung in the flight room. Unfortunately my flight instructor did not provide any indication that I would be taking my solo flight. I remember that he looked at me when we were practicing takeoffs and landings. He asked me to come to complete stop, opened the door and said "it's your time, soar like an eagle." Your best shots will be the takeoffs and landings. Maybe you can position yourself in a safe area to shoot the final approach and landing. I'm not sure what type of camera you have but there are plenty of people on this forum who take pictures of air shows that will provide the technical side for you. Good luck and have fun.

[Hogleg 44]

Sorry Roxy. I have shot a number of planes in the air, but I'm having trouble understanding your question.
If you are shooting with a camera that has a long shutter lag, you may have to zoom way back, lead the plane, and crop with-in your software to get the image you desire.

[Roxy]

My question is...how do you capture a plane in flight? I have not done it before and have no idea...I don't want it to appear a blur but I may not be able to do anything because I just have this camera:
http://ca.konicaminolta.com/products...fications.html (Minolta Dimage z3)
My best bet I suppose is to get pictures of the landings and takeoffs.

I will try zooming out and then cropping during the flight and see how that works.

[engstrom]

Roxy, I believe you can get a picture of the plane in flight with your Dimage. It has an focal length equivalent to 420mm. You should be able to get some pictures of it in flight after takeoff/before landings. Just zoom all the way out and follow the plane with your viewfinder before and after you press the shutter release button. Good luck!

[CaptainTom]

I recommend SPORTS MODE if you are unfamiliar with the camera controls, etc.

It should give you an exceptable combination of shutter and aperture.

Good Luck.

[Hogleg 44]

Roxy, do what John says, and try to keep some space in front of the plane in your viewfinder so that it can 'fly into the frame' in the event that shutter lag is present.
If it is a jet, use a very high shutter speed to minimize camera motion that might blur the exposure. If it is a prop plane, a high speed will probably freeze the propeller so that it looks like it has stopped.
On a prop plane try with a shutter speed in the 125th to 250th range to try to get prop blurring for the sake of effect. You'll just have to experiment with it until you get a method that works for you.

[CaptainTom]

Roxy

When and Where ? Maybe we can come shoot too ??

[dreemes]

I remember my first solo like it was yesterday. It was Apr 7, 1986 in a Cessna 172. I had just turned 17 a few weeks prior. Had to wait a minute or two before i taxied back out to take off as my foot was shaking. Got about 6 hours solo time after that and ran out of money.

As for the shirt being cut I'd guess it is a tradition so the instructor can have something to remember his/her students by.

As the photography part... I think a 16x20 poster would be excellent. Maybe use the aircraft in flight as the background... Put photos of the student with the instructor next the plane, a closeup of the student and a photo of the shirt being cut off as inserts on the poster... Put "First Solo", the name of the student, date, name of the airfield and the instructor's name on it. And if there is enough room put the poem "High Flight". An 18x24 might even be better.

High Flight

by John Gillespie Magee, Jr.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or even eagle flew.
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

[phototom1]

Roxy
All of the above are good suggestions. if you want to build a story out of your photos you can take some images of the solo pilot signing the log book prior to flight usually done in the briefing room or some where in the hangar.Also as the pilot does a pre flight check of the a/c (walk around ) checking flaps, landing gear, prop, ect. Get images of the solo pilot as he straps in the a/c. Talk with the pilot to find out where he will lift off of the runway this will give you a ideal of where to position yourself for a good take off image if they will let you in that area,most likley you will need to be escorted by security if it is even allowed.
See if he upon his or her return if they will do a low pass for additional photos. Landings usually will take place closer to the end of the run way that they approach so as to have a lot of breaking room to stop, so if you are allowed out there you will need to reposition yourself for the landing. After flight get the taxi up get the new pilot as he egress shaking hands the ceremonial shirt cutting (out here at Lockheed they hose them down good) and any other plane side activites and the BIG smile on his or her face.
Post some photos let us know how you did good luck
Tom Harvey
Photographer
Lockheed Martin

[Roxy]

He didn't get to solo yet. He said he is soloing at the airport in Roanoke and at Alliance AFW. We don't know when. We are assuming at his next lesson. this is the plane he will fly: http://a542.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...f8f91493f5.jpg

CaptainTom: I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you went along too, we just don't know when it will be.

[engstrom]

I still thing it's wrong and unnatural. Wings are meant to keep things on the ground, not up in the air:

http://news.windingroad.com/wp-conte...i-F1-20061.jpg

[Graydon]

Take some time to go and practice. Flight instructor might be able to let you know where you can go and practice.

If not at one of the two airports you listed, search for some smaller strips that cater to private planes... typically located a bit out of town... but worth it for honing the skills prior to the big day.