Av'Tog Media on Air To Air Photography

Aviation photography is a beast in itself. Imagine being at an airshow, elbowing your way through a throng of fellow photographers, each one vying for that elusive perfect shot. It’s like a scene out of a gladiator movie, but with cameras instead of swords. Now, if you’re looking for a way to stand out, you could go low and change your perspective. But why not take it a notch higher? How about seeing things from the pilot's point of view? Enter the exhilarating world of air-to-air photography.

The Planning

First things first, if you think air-to-air photography is just about hopping into a plane, taking off, and clicking away, you’re about to be sorely mistaken. It’s not just a wild west shootout in the sky, cowboy. Planning is key, and I mean meticulous, hair-splitting, to-the-T planning.

Have you briefed with your client? Do the pilots know who’s flying in which position? Have you discussed the formations? Do you know where you’ll be flying? If you’ve answered yes to all these questions, congratulations, you’re halfway there. If not, you better saddle up and get to it.

The Flying

Flying with South Africa’s top pilots makes my job a whole lot easier. These folks are the rockstars of the sky. They pilot, and I photograph. But don’t be fooled, it’s not all smooth sailing (or flying, in this case). I’m in constant communication with the pilots, making sure the formations are tweaked to perfection. Every nudge and whisper from me is to ensure that the aircraft are exactly where I need them for that killer shot.

The Shooting

Approaching an air-to-air shoot is like weaving a tapestry. You need the wides, the tights, and the mediums to tell a complete story. Your mission is to showcase the aircraft in its operating environment, making every shot count.

Take the Bell 412 shoot I did, for instance. The goal was to capture the helicopter in a bush environment. We picked a quarry with a delightful mix of rocks, grass, and trees. It was like nature’s own playground for aviation photography.

Then there was the AS350, which was all about operations in and around Johannesburg and Pretoria. For this shoot, we chose the Union Buildings and the N1 highway as our backdrop. It was all about highlighting the helicopter’s tasks in a bustling urban environment. Nothing says “we mean business” quite like a helicopter hovering over city landmarks.

Bringing It All Together

When you blend meticulous planning, expert flying, and a deep understanding of both aviation and photography, you create something that’s nothing short of magical. These shoots are rare, but when they happen, it’s like stepping into aviation photographer’s paradise.

So, next time you see that jaw-dropping shot, know that it’s not just about pointing and shooting. It’s a dance in the sky, choreographed to perfection, with a sprinkle of sheer luck and a dash of magic. And when you get it right, it’s worth every bit of effort, every ounce of sweat, and every moment of heart-pounding excitement.