How to do you shoot pictures of fighter jets?

Wail

Wail

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Wail
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I've seen a bunch of you here taking pictures of fighter jets in mid-flight and some taxing on runways ... how do you folks get so close to them?

I would have thought this to be illegal, for military security issues ... I'm especially keen to learn where I can go to see these taxing.

Thanks for any reply, help and feedback.


PS. If any of you have tips on where to catch a RSAF Tornado or Typhoon then that would be an added bonous, thanks.
 
air shows are a good place to take pics of all sorts of planes, im not a big plane person but i went to RIAT in 2007 as my bf at the time was a medic their and got free tickets. I went for the photo op and they had all sorts of planes there. But the red arrows are the only ones i can name;)
 
Moved to TP. Sharing section is for picture threads.
 
Thank you for the replies and links, very useful stuff there.
 
RobertP said:
Moved to TP. Sharing section is for picture threads.
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Sorry that I posted this in the wrong forum .... and thanks for correcting this.
 
Another couple of questions, if I may ....

1. Has anyone got into trouble taking shots of airbases / jets at such close proximity?

2. Would I be too rude to do so, seeing that I am from Saudi Arabia!? Would this be interpreted wrongly?

Thanks for any feedback.
 
Impartial-Witness said:
I would strongly advise against trying to get photographs of any military aircraft in the proximity of any military airbases, you or anyone else would be seen as a security risk.

Stick to air shows or air museums OR even open days at military airbases if they still have those these days.
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Many Military bases actually have public viewing points on the perimeters, some with car parking
 
Impartial-Witness said:
I would strongly advise against trying to get photographs of any military aircraft in the proximity of any military airbases, you or anyone else would be seen as a security risk.

Stick to air shows or air museums OR even open days at military airbases if they still have those these days.
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Yep, sorry, I've got to disagree with you on that one. On some of the bases now, the militay police actually see the spotters and togs as benifical. Lots of sets of eyes and ears that tend to notice if anyone or anything is amiss.

Go have a look over on UKAR, that's the site that got me back into photography, then I realised thare are even more things to take pictures of than just aircraft ;)
 
Impartial-Witness said:
I would strongly advise against trying to get photographs of any military aircraft in the proximity of any military airbases, you or anyone else would be seen as a security risk.

Stick to air shows or air museums OR even open days at military airbases if they still have those these days.
Click to expand...



Just about every base allows togs. An example is Coningsby. It has a dedicated viewing area and several other places that you can get some good shots from. If you keep off MOD land then your ok. Its the spotters that leave litter (not many thankfully) that risk spoiling it for others. A lot of the good spots are on or near farmers land who are happy to let you take photos if you don't wreck the land or verges etc.
 
Great, thank you for all the feedback and wonderful links. There's alot for me to read through :thumbs:
 
Impartial-Witness said:
I would strongly advise against trying to get photographs of any military aircraft in the proximity of any military airbases, you or anyone else would be seen as a security risk.

Stick to air shows or air museums OR even open days at military airbases if they still have those these days.
Click to expand...

As yours is the only post that suggest to stay away from airbases, may I ask what makes you suggest this? Any experiences would be appreciated, since as I've indicated I would hate to get questioned only to be wrongly linked to a spy-group or even worse :shrug:
 
I think you've answered your own question there Wail.
 
Steep said:
I think you've answered your own question there Wail.
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I somehow knew this, and have been paranoid about this matter and sort of in denial about it .... may be I just needed to hear it from someone else, someone who would be objective :'( .. thanks for being frank about this as it is a thorny issue, I understand!
 
you'll be fine. the raf are starting to embrace spotters and photographers alike. a lot of groups have good relations with their local bases too. there are general guidlines which should be followed when viewing.

  • dont hang, climb, obstruct or attempt to damage fences. be it wooden, chicken wire or picket
  • dont obstruct gates
  • dont litter - this is extremely dangerous, known as FOD on an airfield (foreign object damage). do a google, it will explain it further
  • dont pose any kind of threat to incoming/outgoing aircraft, for instance, do not park your high cube van at the end of the runway, i have seen this happen, the raf police dont like it ;)
  • if you are seen to be acting suspicious expect to be approached, remember, the raf police are doing their job, respect them and they will respect you
  • respect private land

I'm sure others will have stuff to add.

Providing you apply some common sense during your viewing experience you will be fine.
 
A RAF base close to me at Lossiemouth supposedly has an observation platform for spotters, I've never actually seen it though I drive past regularly.
 
I am glad to hear that the RAF are so willing to let people near there planes, i thought in the currant climate of paranoia they would have higher security.

I know that other nations are not keen on civilians going near there airbases including the americans who have airbases in the UK, i am pretty sure you wont get a warm welcome at those.
 
Impartial-Witness said:
I am glad to hear that the RAF are so willing to let people near there planes, i thought in the currant climate of paranoia they would have higher security.
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I wholehertedly agree, it makes it so much easier for those wanting to enjoy this and so relaxing too. Very civil, I'd say.

Impartial-Witness said:
I know that other nations are not keen on civilians going near there airbases including the americans who have airbases in the UK, i am pretty sure you wont get a warm welcome at those.
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I know this all too well :(. My father was in the airforce and he had to pull a lot of strings to get me, when I was a child, to get up close to any of what we have in our airforce (Saudi Arabia), mind you I did get to sit in some spiffy fighters. Used to travel a lot in a Hercules C130 which I love, but was that noisy :bonk:

I sure am looking forward to shooting these, if only to relive my childhood dreams of being a fighter pilot.
 
The only thing I would say is if you look Arab and you are unknown to the local spotters you will raise attention. As mentioned an increasing number of bases use the spotters as a valuable set of eyes and ears, and will often have the phone number for the guard room. So rather than pitch up and start snapping get online a see if there is a local group you can introduce yourself to, they will often have an inside line on whats flying when, as well. As for RSAF jets....mmmm The RSAF don't tend to advertise in advance when the are flying with UK Sqns but the magic spotter network may ghelp out here as well!
 
tacko,

Thank you so much for the hints on the group issue. Sadly, I don't look like an Arab, and I say that whole-heartedly since I am proud to be what I am. That said, I have been approached a very few times by rangers / police and when they realised I am Saudi they were very interested in Saud current and social affairs that they lost sight of the notion that "here is a Saudi with a 70-200VR and TC that looks like a sidewinder".

Anyways, your suggestion is sound logic and I guess, bar airshows, that is the approach that I should practice.

That aside, I would love to see a Typhoon in RSAF guise ... that would be a catch that would score me a lot of good points with my dad :)
 
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