I’ve done quite some air-to-ground photography in the past. My best results were obtained in flying in a high-wing aircraft like a Cessna 172, which also has the advantage that a window can be opened (but don’t drop your camera!). The weather conditions are very important. A very clear and sunny day is necessary for best results and also be aware of the position of the sun. Shooting against the light will diminish contrast. I would also advise to put the exposure on manual. A typical exposure for air-to-ground shots in good (sunny) conditions would be 1/500sec at f/8 at 100 ISO. Don’t use shutterspeeds longer than 1/500 to avoid unsharpness because of airframe vibrations.

A few older examples (on film):

However, be advised that in the Netherlands it is illegal to make air-to-ground photographs from aircraft except airliners, unless a special permit has been obtained. It seems to be ridiculous in this time and age, but an old law (1959) is still in force. See http://wetten.overheid.nl/BWBR0002327/geldigheidsdatum_14-04-2009 (in Dutch).

Thanks for the tips!

As for the legality, I am on one of the organised flights of the Dutch Spotters Convention. There will be 4 or 5 flights with a GA Airvan operated by Kammair. It has a high wing, and Kammair’s license allows for aerial photography. Don’t know if the windows can open or indeed if they will even allow it.

As for shooting with the sun in the back, well, there will be more passengers on the flight so everyone will want to have the best seat. However, since we will circle over the airport everyone should have at least some chances at a good shot.

Fingers crossed for good weather. Does not look favourable now having just checked the KNMI. 😡

Tenthje, thanks for that info – I should see some after all. Arrive mid evening from Southampton today and leave Sunday evening – Hope the weather stays good.

The saturday is not looking particularly well, the sunday is however. For what it’s worth, Frankfurt is expected to have pretty good weather on saturday so you might want to try your look with the train to FRA.

edit: *you’ve got a PM*

Am off to Dusseldorf tomorrow and was hoping to see some of those – not so sure if they will be parked there or elsewhere.

According to a post at the German language http://www.dusforum.de there are seven A320s stored at Düsseldorf. That post was made 31MAR so I would not think much has changed. Don’t know where they are parked at the airport, but they should at least be visible if not photographable.

Weather tomorrow will be fantastic. Expect wind from the SE so the terminal platform will be best. Don’t bother with the railway station unless there is something interesting parked next to it (like, say, 7 Blue Wings A320s). From the station the planes will be too high up in their climb to get nice pictures.

Hopefully you caught our Mustang G-LEAI today, in from Farnborough and out to London City around midday.

Sorry, did not see it. I went spotting elsewhere on sunday.

I was just about to say how awful I thought the colour scheme was!

I quite like it, but the red titles are extremely hard to edit. If they would change that to another colour (darker blue?) and remove the fading tail colours it would be perfect.

( THE TWO GUYS AT THE VAN WOULD’NT WORK FOR WIZZ AIR BY ANY CHANCE).

I’ll tell the military police you said hello. Good luck getting into the country on your next visit. 😀