Taking photos from a plane going to Adelaide

StarForge · 26th June 2012, 11:07 AM

Hey peeps, I'm flying back to Adelaide in the evening and was wondering which side of the plane is best for photographing night lights on approach from a window seat

?

Its just a domestic flight from Sydney, if that makes any difference.

Thanks

Squeezer · 26th June 2012, 11:10 AM

depends a lot on the weather as to which way they approach but generally the seats on the LHS looking forward. Planes often pass over/near to Adelaide oval so you have the city on your Left.

That said they have usually told you by then to fasten seat belts and turn off all electronic devices so they might get a bit narky if you start pulling out a camera

StarForge · 26th June 2012, 11:16 AM

Thanks for that, with that advice I just booked a left side seat. Its just over the wing, but its the best I could get. Oh yeah that whole turn off electronics thing... man that's annoying! Here's hoping I get a couple nice shots

lokiparan · 26th June 2012, 12:19 PM

Easy, just whip out your Nikon F or similar and explain that it's fully mechanical.

nightbringer · 26th June 2012, 9:03 PM

And then try to explain why that strange remote thing in your hand is only a light meter, and not something more sinister.

lokiparan · 26th June 2012, 11:45 PM

Very true, Sunny 16 is quite beyond it's usefulness while taking photos of city lights from a plane. Okay, okay.. Selenium meter? Does that count?

switchblade327 · 27th June 2012, 1:31 AM

done this a few times - biggest issue will be light reflection from the window - internal lights of the plane will reflect from both the outer and inner windows (there's two). Even if the cabin is dimmed, there's enough stray light from EXIT signs and aisle lighting to screw you. Then there's the grubby, foggy and hazy windows..

Azrael · 27th June 2012, 2:57 AM

A few years ago on my way back from LAX i took a roll of film using an intervalometer out of the aircraft. Was quite cool to see sunrise and sunset etc. Unfortunately it was all a bit blurry because of the windows sucking.

In the past I've also done a pinhole shot from a SIN>LHR flight, that turned out quite cool but the print was destroyed in the Canberra bush fires.

Good luck though.

Jackolow · 27th June 2012, 5:23 PM

I remember the last time i was on a flight on Qantas, there was a loophole saying that you could still use devices that have built in batteries.

I always wondered what that meant.

Azrael · 27th June 2012, 6:16 PM

Pace makers, watches etc i assume.

Pinkeh · 27th June 2012, 6:26 PM

the biggest problem is reflection in the glass and dirty windows (not on the outside, but the inside panel)
I tried it on the approach to Sydney from Hobart and Qantas has some grubby planes (inside and outside).

And i guess the plane will also be wobbly due to turbulence.

occxlr8ed · 27th June 2012, 6:34 PM

this reminds me of seeing an epic timelapse from a plane around europe i think?

Jackolow · 27th June 2012, 6:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azrael

Pace makers, watches etc i assume.

that makes sense. It'd be mighty inconvenient for all parties to get them to switch off pacemakers. : \

26th June 2012, 11:07 AM	#1
StarForge Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 38	Taking photos from a plane going to Adelaide Hey peeps, I'm flying back to Adelaide in the evening and was wondering which side of the plane is best for photographing night lights on approach from a window seat? Its just a domestic flight from Sydney, if that makes any difference. Thanks __________________ Flickr

26th June 2012, 11:10 AM	#2
Squeezer Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Adelaide Posts: 6,442	depends a lot on the weather as to which way they approach but generally the seats on the LHS looking forward. Planes often pass over/near to Adelaide oval so you have the city on your Left. That said they have usually told you by then to fasten seat belts and turn off all electronic devices so they might get a bit narky if you start pulling out a camera __________________ Craftypics - Photography, Video, Timelapse

26th June 2012, 11:16 AM	#3
StarForge Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 38	Thanks for that, with that advice I just booked a left side seat. Its just over the wing, but its the best I could get. Oh yeah that whole turn off electronics thing... man that's annoying! Here's hoping I get a couple nice shots __________________ Flickr

27th June 2012, 1:31 AM	#7
switchblade327 Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 982	done this a few times - biggest issue will be light reflection from the window - internal lights of the plane will reflect from both the outer and inner windows (there's two). Even if the cabin is dimmed, there's enough stray light from EXIT signs and aisle lighting to screw you. Then there's the grubby, foggy and hazy windows.. __________________ V8 engine with a fuel injection 283 that's my ounce of perfection Take that rod out when it's very late, haven't gotten round to gettin' license plates

27th June 2012, 2:57 AM	#8
Azrael Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 6,988	A few years ago on my way back from LAX i took a roll of film using an intervalometer out of the aircraft. Was quite cool to see sunrise and sunset etc. Unfortunately it was all a bit blurry because of the windows sucking. In the past I've also done a pinhole shot from a SIN>LHR flight, that turned out quite cool but the print was destroyed in the Canberra bush fires. Good luck though. __________________ --Azrael I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself. - D.H.Lawrence The Plebian Period \| I'm a Christian... \| Photo Gallery \| avatar_takai @ Steam \| takai on all other forums.

26th June 2012, 12:19 PM	#4
lokiparan Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5	Easy, just whip out your Nikon F or similar and explain that it's fully mechanical.

26th June 2012, 9:03 PM	#5
nightbringer Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 144	And then try to explain why that strange remote thing in your hand is only a light meter, and not something more sinister.

26th June 2012, 11:45 PM	#6
lokiparan Member Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 5	Very true, Sunny 16 is quite beyond it's usefulness while taking photos of city lights from a plane. Okay, okay.. Selenium meter? Does that count?

27th June 2012, 5:23 PM	#9
Jackolow Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Mount Isa, Qld Posts: 1,527	I remember the last time i was on a flight on Qantas, there was a loophole saying that you could still use devices that have built in batteries. I always wondered what that meant.

27th June 2012, 6:16 PM	#10
Azrael Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Melbourne Posts: 6,988	Pace makers, watches etc i assume. __________________ --Azrael I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself. A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough without ever having felt sorry for itself. - D.H.Lawrence The Plebian Period \| I'm a Christian... \| Photo Gallery \| avatar_takai @ Steam \| takai on all other forums.

27th June 2012, 6:26 PM	#11
Pinkeh Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 7,330	the biggest problem is reflection in the glass and dirty windows (not on the outside, but the inside panel) I tried it on the approach to Sydney from Hobart and Qantas has some grubby planes (inside and outside). And i guess the plane will also be wobbly due to turbulence.

27th June 2012, 6:34 PM	#12
occxlr8ed Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Adelaide Posts: 2,389	this reminds me of seeing an epic timelapse from a plane around europe i think? __________________ Canon 1D Mk3, Canon 5d Mk2 \| Canon 24mm/1.4L, 50mm/1.2L, 135mm/2L, 16-35mm/2.8L II, 28-70mm/2.8L, 70-200mm/2.8L IS \| 550ex, 580ex II Check out my photos here: http://www.jonnoyeo.com