How to Take Good Photos from an Airplane Window Seat
Get a window seat near the front of the plane., Get your camera ready., Don't take your photos at an angle to the window., Keep your lens close but not touching the window; vibration from the airplane will blur your shots. , Take your photos...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Get a window seat near the front of the plane.
Go online and book your seat in advance.
Some web-pages will show you were the seats are located.
Try to get a window seat in front of the wing.
This works well on larger planes, most smaller commercial planes reserve first-class and business class near the front.
This area creates a smoother ride and you don't have the airplane wing to block your view.
Another reason to have a seat before the wing section, is that the heat shimmer from the engines will affect the quality of the photo. -
Step 2: Get your camera ready.
Take your camera on the plane.
Don't put it in the overhead area, this makes it difficult to get the camera since you are at a window seat and will have to ask two people to move.
Tell the person next to you take you will be taking some photos as the plane is taking off.
This will let the person know that you may be blocking his view for a few seconds.
Set the speed of the camera at a high shutter speed, around 500 hundreds of a second.
This will stop blurring of the photo.
Set the ASA to around 250 to
400. , This will increase optical distortion from the windows.
Stop reflection coming back into your pictures as noted below.
It helps if you have a digital camera, so you can see your results and make adjustments during the beginning or landing part of the trip. ,,, This will just reflect your flash back into your photo and it may scare your fellow passengers who may be first-time passengers on a plane flight. , This will allow you to get photos of planes on the tarmac and other photos as the plane takes off. , Plastic airplane windows will show odd patterns.
When plastic is under strain it causes polarization of the material which will interfere with your polarizing filter.
Without causing alarm, try shielding cabin lights and other window lights with a dark coat or cloth. -
Step 3: Don't take your photos at an angle to the window.
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Step 4: Keep your lens close but not touching the window; vibration from the airplane will blur your shots.
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Step 5: Take your photos quickly
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Step 6: the plane is moving quickly
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Step 7: if you see something that you find interesting
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Step 8: it may be out of view the time you raise your camera.
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Step 9: Don't use flash photography.
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Step 10: Use a standard lens or a zoom lens
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Step 11: like a 35mm to 105mm.
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Step 12: Don't use a polarization filter.
Detailed Guide
Go online and book your seat in advance.
Some web-pages will show you were the seats are located.
Try to get a window seat in front of the wing.
This works well on larger planes, most smaller commercial planes reserve first-class and business class near the front.
This area creates a smoother ride and you don't have the airplane wing to block your view.
Another reason to have a seat before the wing section, is that the heat shimmer from the engines will affect the quality of the photo.
Take your camera on the plane.
Don't put it in the overhead area, this makes it difficult to get the camera since you are at a window seat and will have to ask two people to move.
Tell the person next to you take you will be taking some photos as the plane is taking off.
This will let the person know that you may be blocking his view for a few seconds.
Set the speed of the camera at a high shutter speed, around 500 hundreds of a second.
This will stop blurring of the photo.
Set the ASA to around 250 to
400. , This will increase optical distortion from the windows.
Stop reflection coming back into your pictures as noted below.
It helps if you have a digital camera, so you can see your results and make adjustments during the beginning or landing part of the trip. ,,, This will just reflect your flash back into your photo and it may scare your fellow passengers who may be first-time passengers on a plane flight. , This will allow you to get photos of planes on the tarmac and other photos as the plane takes off. , Plastic airplane windows will show odd patterns.
When plastic is under strain it causes polarization of the material which will interfere with your polarizing filter.
Without causing alarm, try shielding cabin lights and other window lights with a dark coat or cloth.
About the Author
Patrick Ford
Writer and educator with a focus on practical hobbies knowledge.
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