Hi all,
My name’s Ted Pierce. Whilst I have been an Internet user for several years now, it’s only since an early retirement that we’ve bought a computer for home, such that I can go on all the aviation sites which were not permitted whilst at work!
One of my main hobbies is photographing aircraft – mainly older types and I am not put off by the distances one has to travel to see something worth photographing.
I was inspired to start writing to a few aviation forums after seeing the Vulcan fly really low over our garden the other day from Shoreham I understand. What a sight! No time for the camera sadly, as it was here and gone within a few seconds.
Now one thing I’d like to do is go on one or two of those aircraft photographing courses one occasionally sees advertised as I understand that the camera group is often permitted to go where ordinary members of the public are prohibited.
To this end I’ve been doing a spot of ‘googling’ and happened across a somewhat strange (??) photographers workshop near to me at the Brooklands old racetrack and Vickers home in just two weeks time, where they say they’ll be using, quote: “our ‘Caledonian Girl’ Airline Stewardess at Brooklands”.
Diverting slightly, here’s a question please for more knowledgeable forum members than myself.
I used to be a frequent flyer with BCal (British Caledonian) and was much saddened when it was forcibly merged into BA. Now to me, Caledonian Airways was one of the companies who were merged into BCal, the other being British United Airways. Somewhat puzzled by the similarity of the uniform used in a small ‘photo for an earlier Brooklands stewardess shoot, as it looks to me like BCal and definitely NOT either BUA or the 1960s Cali with its DC7Cs!
I’ve just learned that there WAS a SECOND Caledonian Airways after the BA merger, but they were only a charter airline? There is almost nothing about this charter airline on-line, so can anyone help me as I am really curious! ( I just LOVED the tartan outfits of those “Caledonian Girls”!)
Lastly another quick question, has anyone any first hand knowledge of these Brooklands Caledonian Airways stewardess shoots? Not sure whether I’d be brave enough to turn up as I’m getting ‘cold-feet’ that’s all.
Thanks for listening / reading my story. I’m really looking forwards to being a regular contributor to this site.
Ted.
By: Indiaecho - 4th September 2012 at 20:18
Ted,
First of all, welcome to the forum.
Following the BA take over of British Caledonian, BA’s charter subsidiary British Airtours was renamed Caledonian. While the British Airtours livery was effectively the BA Landor livery with the ‘Airways’replaced by ‘Airtours’ in the airline name and the crest removed from the tail fin, Caledonian had a more radical redesign with the ‘Speedwing’ replaced by a yellow cheatline, and a yellow lion on the tail. It looked absolutely fantastic on the TriStar.
As you say, Caledonian only operated charter flights, albeit they did operate scheduled services to the Carribean for BA for a couple of years using DC-10s. They must have disappeared at about the turn of the century when the tour operated BA had sold the airline to was taken over itself to form JMC Air.
By: viscount - 4th September 2012 at 17:40
Leaving the question of Caledonian to one side for the moment, Ted, what type of photography are you aiming to concentrate on? May seem a strange question, but clearly the day course you are considering comes under the banner of ‘glamour’ photography, rather than ‘aviation’ photography ie the focal point being the uniformed model, rather than the aircraft.
As regards to courses, it depends how much you are already into digital photography. If you are only a recent convert from negatives, I would strongly recommend a local authority adult evening class (google adult classes or evening classes in ………… (nearest town/city)), they are likely to have a range from beginners to advanced and deal with best use of the settings on a digital camera, sensor cleaning, using photoshop/picasa, resizing, digitizing from prints/negative/transparences, internet posting etc etc ie a sound background for whatever subjects you wish to concentrate on. Most courses start early September, so don’t waste time worrying about if you should, go ahead and enroll next week!
I’ve never heard of courses specialising in aviation photography, I would think most photographers on the forum have picked up their techniques mainly by experience from standing at air shows or as near the end of the runway as they can legally get at their local airport! Talking to other aviation photographers comparing techniques can help too. The great thing about digital photography is you can bang away forever changing settings, then see what works for you, then cancel the rest without costing a penny extra – not like the old days of transparency 35mm film when every frame cost dear.
You don’t state if your camera is new, just that your PC is. If you are still using a film camera I would strongly recommend purchase of a digital camera. Members on this (and other) forums will be only too delighted to offer conflicting advice as to compact or SLR – but will always advise that the best camera and lens combinations is the one above your price range …. only jesting!!
Although not photographic courses, to stretch your capabilities and provide great opportunities, how about a night shoot – there were several at Coventry last autumn/spring organised by Classic Aviation. Not sure if their move to Newquay will affect their programme for this winter. As you state an interest in ‘older aircraft’ how about trying one of the Shuttleworth shows at Old Warden and Duxford’s ‘Flying Legends 2013’ (although for photographers, the position of the sun there can be a challenge, don’t let that put you off). Although mostly over for 2012, seafront displays can provide great opportunities (just look at Anna’s “wow” photos off a cliff top elsewhere on the forum).
Whatever, do have fun taking your pictures.
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September 4, 2012 at 3:01 pm