10 simple steps

From preparation and packing, to camera set-up and shooting advice

1 Prepare for the day

Make sure that you start getting ready a couple of days before the airshow; this way you get plenty of time to check everything.

2 Sunscreen

An often overlooked necessity. Try to have some sunscreen in your bag at all times – chances are you’ll be in the sun for long periods.

3 Arrive early

Airshows can be incredibly busy so if you want a certain spot along the flight line, you’re going to need to get there really early.

4 Look for light

Check the direction of light and then follow the displaying aircraft to see where the light falls best on them.

5 Clouds are your friends

If there are clouds then use them in your shots; they add so much more impact than a plain sky, as clouds can add drama.

6 Composition

Give some thought to composition, especially with display teams. Include the smoke, and with single jets give them some space in the image to fly into.

7 Shutter speed

Use shutter priority mode to dial in your shutter speed: around 1/1250sec for fast jets and 1/80sec for propellers and panning.

8 Image Stabilisation

For low shutter speeds and panning, you will want to turn this on if your lens offers a suitable mode when panning. Typically it will be Mode 2.

9 White balance

I use flash white balance for most of my photography as it adds a little warmth and keeps my colour balance constant.

10 Ticket

Don’t forget your ticket! Put this somewhere safe a couple of days before the show. I put it in a pocket in my camera bag.