Andrew Hunt's Aviation Blog - A Basic Aviation Photographer's Lesson!

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Andrew Hunt's Aviation Blog

A Basic Aviation Photographer's Lesson!

Posted on 4 January 2007 at 17:48

Hi Everyone,

I just wanted to pass on a piece of advice to everyone, that has always left me in good standing (and is especially appropriate in this day and age of "free digital shooting")

Never ever let anything go past the camera without clicking and never ever delete or throw away any of your images. I have leanred this simple rule over the years, and now looking back at my collection of photos, I'm so glad that I stuck to this rule. It took me years to learn how to photograph properly, and when I first started, I was quite awful (some would say I still am!)

I have just scanned some of my older images from the 1980s and 1990s and as you will see below, the quality is not the best, but the memories that they evoke, plus the rarity of these subjects today will hopefully make you forgive the poor quality. As a selection, I decided to scan and upload my all time favourite aircraft, the DC-10 in various liveries, locations and conditions. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I did photographing, scanning and reminiscing about them...

And oh yes........don't forget that lesson!!

Andrew

A Malaysian DC-10 (9M-MAV) photographed on pushback at Kai Tak in the 1980s. A scan taken from a badly degraded print......but I love it!

A "Metal" DC-10 (N133AA) taken at SFO before 9/11, when I was free to roam around the restricted area.....joy!

Transaero DC-10 (N141AA) pictured rotating from Kai Tak in the mid 1990s.....a really rare bird that I was lucky enough to capture!

Northwest DC-10 (N145US)in the bowling shoe scheme pictured on my first trip to LAX, where I was lucky enough to get ramp access......!

Another NW DC-10 (N147US) pictured at Paris CDG from the ring road around the terminal in no so ideal conditions....but as 50mm, who cares!

A FedEx DC-10 (N316FE) photographed at London Heathrow in 1992, love those old colours!

Continental DC-10 (N68042) at Kai Tak operating for Continental Micronesia....taken from the famous carpark in not so ideal conditions!

Martinair DC-10 (PH-MBN) which sadly crashed....and looking awful with heat haze and poor lighting conditions.....perhaps the best example of the rule.....photograph and keep everything!

4 comments :: post a comment :: link

Wish I Had . . .

Posted on 4 January 2007 at 18:17 by aviasiankcsim

Wish I had learnt this lesson many years ago when SIA's B707s, B727s, B737s, B757s. DC-10s were common!

But happily, I did learn the lesson in time to capture many of the Orient Thai / One-Two-GO fleet (these change by the week at one time with little stickers added in all places).

Everyone would do well to remember this lesson, and never ignore any approaching subject (even if it looks common). I let a Skyjet DC-10 go past me (without photographing) thinking it was a Garuda machine! Never saw it again.

KC Sim

Yes I agree...

Posted on 4 January 2007 at 20:04 by Kwek

Just snap a couple of shots - no animals will be harmed!! It won't be forgiveable to pass over a shot in today's digital edge. Another lession I learnt well was to check on the battery levels......trust me, it will die on you at the most critical moment - I'll spare you the details. I'm sure some of the spotters here are familiar the story....

CL Kwek

Edited by Kwek on 4 January 2007 at 12:06

Diesel Ten

Posted on 5 January 2007 at 00:31 by Anonymous

wow Andrew...

i wish i started earlier in times where i could have a good camera back in the early 90s (where i have money then..and now)...but i ended up in the bar with the girls and Beer...
Not anymore...i learned a lot...thanks to technology and not being a jurassic spotter, i will just enjoy how you, KC and Kwek for the rest of time as a spotter. Cheers...(where's the beer?)..

TK

You're right!

Posted on 5 January 2007 at 02:49 by mclaudio

If there is one thing that always amazes me is that when we see "old" frames, we really get the feeling that comercial aviation is extremely dynamic and is in constant change. All the photos you shown (and they are wonderful) aren't very old, but impossible to do again after a little more than a decade.
So...that is why I also never turn my back to an aircraft too, neverthless (and even though we all know that...or we should know) it is always important to remind it.