It’s plane for all to see - that’s a great shot!

THIS stunning picture of a plane taking to the skies at East Midlands Airport was a labour of love that came together perfectly.

At sunrise on Tuesday, Mike Spencer, an amateur photographer from Narborough, captured the photo he had long pictured in his head.

Mike said the photo was a rarity as it could have only be taken on the Autumn Equinox – which fell on Tuesday – at the airport, because its runway runs east to west.

The equinox means that the day and night are exactly 12 hours long and the sun rises at exactly 90 degrees and sets at 270 degrees.

Mike said: “In my head, I have a list of pictures I want to take, and this was one of them.

“I knew that the runway ran east to west, and and I always wanted to get a picture of a plane against the sunrise or sunset. You only have one chance a year to get it, and the conditions this morning were perfect.

“I just needed to see if there was a plane at that time – and luckily there was.”

Mike said he didn’t mind the early start to capture the perfect picture, and earlier in the summer went out at 1.30am to capture the NEOWISE comet.

He added: “They say the best pictures are always taken when people are asleep or having their dinner!”

All the elements had to be correct for Mike to capture the amazing picture, but he admitted it was easier if you know some tricks of the trade.

He said: “It is easier to do these days, because there’s a website that will work out the best time and place for you.”

Mike, who is planning on pursuing photography as a job in the near future, said he was really happy with the result.

He also said that he was constantly adding things to his list to take pictures of.

He said: “As soon as I tick one off the list, another one arrives.

“The pictures aren’t always perfect in my mind though, so I have a constant drive to improve.”