The avid photographer has a great opportunity when traveling by air. It is challenging to take good photos from an airplane window seat, but with the right camera, the right settings and some practice, amateurs and professionals alike can capture beautiful images from this unique viewpoint.
Instructions
1. Book a window seat that is not on or behind the wing of the aircraft. The wing can provide some interesting angles photos, but it can also block much of the view. Photos taken from seats directly behind the jet engines can be blurred by exhaust fumes. Front or rear window seats usually afford the best photo opportunities. If possible, sit on the side or the aircraft that is not in the sun to avoid glare through the window.
2. Organize camera equipment and film and stow it in your carry-on luggage. 28-80 mm is a good choice. 28-200 mm zoom lets you crop photos as you capture them. Bring extra batteries and films or memory sticks.
3. Clean the window glass to remove any debris that can blur your photos.
4. Adjust camera settings. Disable the flash, since you will be too far away from your subjects to get any real benefit, plus it can cause reflection. Use the infinity or landscape setting on a digital camera, especially compacts. If a compact camera lacks the infinity mode option, point the camera to the far end of the airplane cabin and lightly press the shutter to hold it halfway down. Then point the camera back out the window with the shutter still half down and take the photo. Use the default settings on auto exposure camera.
5. Watch for good photo opportunities, such as the moon, a rainbow, a cloud bank or striking landscape below such as an island. Areas of your aircraft visible from the window seat or another aircraft can also make great photographic subjects.
6. Take pictures as early in your journey as possible. Water or ice can build up on the windows at the higher altitudes reached later into the flight.
7. Keep the camera as steady as possible when shooting. Hold the camera lens close to the window glass, but don't let the camera touch the window surface or any other surface on the plane. Vibration can blur any images you shoot. A lens hood lets you place the camera closer to the window.
8. Cup your free hand around the camera lens to block reflections.
9. Remember that many great photos taken from airplane window seats have to be cropped later. Don't immediately discard an otherwise wonderful shot just because part of the window is visible.
Tags: airplane window, camera lens, photo opportunities, point camera, taken from, window glass