A Window in the Sky : Making a creative use of it

My Assignment

To take photographs while on window seat at aircraft

Duration

Different flights in the last one year

Description

One of the best things about getting a window seat in an aeroplane is that you get a unique opportunity to photograph things from a high vantage point. It is often challenging to take good photos from an aeroplane 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.

I often travel to different destinations, generally carrying the camera in cabin baggage while flying. Since the camera is with me, I just felt like taking few pictures from my window seat. I got really excited seeing the outcome later when i downloaded them in my laptop. This inspired me to do a series of photo shoots from my window seat.

I would always insist to have a window seat booked for me and request for a window that is not over or behind the wing of the aircraft. The wing may sometimes provide interesting angles photos, but it also blocks much of the view. I prefer to book a seat on the side of the aircraft that is not towards the sun. This is to avoid glare through the window. Photos taken from seats behind the wings can get blurred by Engine’s exhaust. I have found that front end window seats usually provide the best photo opportunities for me.

I always keep my camera handy in cabin baggage. Basic kit lens (18-55mm, in my case) is a better choice than a zoom lens. However, when using a wide angle to get a wide coverage, I have ended up capturing a part of the round cornered window. Often the excitement of the view takes away my attention from the corners of the frame! Sometimes, however, the shape of the window just cannot be avoided. I generally don’t discard immediately an otherwise wonderful shot just because part of the window is visible. Many of my photos taken from airplane window seats have been cropped later.

The first thing I do, once I get to my seat, is clean the window glass with a tissue paper to remove any debris that may blur my photographs. Occasionally, when luck doesn’t favour me, I get windows that are badly scratched or condensed and there's nothing I can do about this. They cause the picture to be slightly fuzzy and lacking in contrast.

The next important thing is to adjust camera settings. Switching to manual focusing mode and locking the focus on the main focal point can help a lot. Often auto focus mode in cameras get confused when shooting through glass. I shoot at faster shutter speeds, especially at lower altitudes for day or night photos. The flash is a strict no-no; it doesn’t help in addition, cause reflection. If using compact, I would advice to use the infinity or landscape setting on the camera. Polarizer doesn’t help, as the window glass is already polarized and we tend to get cross-polarization, a purple rainbow effect.

It is difficult to take shots of the ground from an aircraft due to small size of window and the angles that are possible through them, but opportunities do present themselves for such shots on the few occasions that the plan banks, generally before landing and after take off. These are the times I eagerly wait for and get ready to shoot fast as these moments don’t last too long.

Sometimes the scenes out of the window look quite spectacular to the eye but later when I review my photos they look a little blank and un-inspirational. Hence, I try to find out a point of interest to bring life to my shots. It can be the engine of the plane, the wing or can be a nice cloud formation, a meandering river, a coastline, an island, a city with sky scrappers, fields of different colours or a setting sun at the horizon. It may even be something inside the plane.

Since the plane moves very fast, I need to act quickly. If I see something that is interesting, it may be out of view by the time I set my camera.

Another important aspect here is to keep the camera as steady as possible while shooting. Take the camera away from the window and you'll see reflections of the inside of the cabin. Hence, it is wise is to hold the camera lens close to the window glass, without letting the lens touch the window surface. It will increase camera shake due to the vibrations of the aeroplane, which in turn, can blur any images I shoot.

A better strategy, while using a DSLR with a fitted lens, is to attach a lens hood to the lens and get in as close as I can to the window without actually touching it. Alternatively, I also use my free hand to cup around the lens to block any reflections.

I might be very happy with my shots taken during flight. However, the real trouble starts when I transfer them to computer and often find photos taken from the aeroplane look washed out and lack richness of colour. Luckily post processing may brighten up and recover a lot of details, provided the photographs are in focus. Also selective cropping may help to discard distracting elements.

When flying at night and the night lights during landing look amazing. However, it is too difficult to capture as the movement of the aeroplane and the necessary long exposure causes a photograph to appear as streaks instead of the lights.

The best approach I use in such situation, is turning on the movie mode in my digital camera and later selecting a still frame from that on the computer. High ISO and faster shutter speed may sometime help. However, getting a decent picture has been almost unworkable for me. Hence, at those times, I like to sit back and enjoy the view.