Learn how to photograph fast moving jets, helicopters and aviation displays with Nikon School at Royal International Air Tattoo 2024. Nikon School will be hosting aviation photography clinics in the Friends of RIAT (FRIAT) enclosure which is one of the best places to see and photograph all of the action taking place at RIAT. This is a unique opportunity to be shown the best settings and techniques to capture great aviation images.
This Nikon School experience day is a great opportunity to learn or improve your aviation photography while also having access to the best photography location at the RIAT 2023. Neil and Ricci from Nikon School will be on hand to help you with all aspects your photography, showing you the techniques and camera settings that will enable you to get great images. This includes advice on the best settings for focusing, capturing fast moving jets, shooting afterburner flames and dealing with engine exhaust haze. We will show you how to get pin sharp images when using long lenses and provide guidance on composition ideas and how to maximise the light available on the day. The aviation photography clinics and technique sessions will be held prior to and during the aviation displays so we can help you achieve great images while the displays take place around us. RIAT 2024 will also have a large number of aircraft setup as static displays which make good subjects for close-up photography.
Inside the FRIAT marquee, Nikon School are part of the Centre for Aviation and Photography area https://coaponline.com/
Nikon School will have a range of Z series long lenses and cameras that will be available for 1 hour loan slots (subject to availability) if you want to try out or use specific kit. We will also be offering the option for you to print your images free of charge (subject to timings and ink / paper availability) on our Epson printer.
If the weather does go against us and we are forced to stay inside the marquee, Neil and Ricci will run image editing workshops or camera and lens Q&A’s until the weather clears and we can return outside.
WORKSHOP HIGHLIGHTS
Use of the inside seating within the FRIAT marquee (subject to availability).
Aviation photography clinics and photography tuition with Nikon School each day on Friday 3th to Sunday 16th July.
Priority booking of Z series loan cameras and lenses (subject to availability).
Priority access to Printing facilities (subject to availability).
NOTES:
Aircraft: The current list of confirmed aircraft that you can see and photograph at RIAT can be found here: https://www.airtattoo.com/airshow/aircraft/confirm...
Fitness: This workshop requires a low level of fitness as you will be either sitting in your elevated grandstand seat or standing in the photography area in the FRIAT enclosure. However, the walk from the carpark can be long depending on the the time of your arrival.
Lenses: The FRIAT enclosure gives you the best vantage point for take off, landings and fly pasts. Even in this great position, focal length of 300mm would be considered the minimum with 400 - 800mm lenses giving you the most flexibility when shooting single aircraft, helicopters or group displays. For the static aircraft displays, focal lengths of 14mm - 300mm could be used depending on the images you wish to create.
Photography Clinics: Nikon School photography clinics and will only be available from Friday to Sunday while the show is open.
Loan kit: Nikon School loan kit will only be available from Friday to Sunday while the show is open. The loan kit is subject to availability and can only be booked out for 1 hour loan slots.
Transport: please make your own way to RIAT 2024. the FRAIT area opens at 8:30am which is before the public can enter. The traffic into RIAT can get very heavy resulting in long tailbacks (in 2023, they had 200,000 visitors). It is strongly advised that you aim to be at RAF Fairford / RIAT for 8 - 8:30am. There is also extensive vehicle security procedures to pass through when arriving at RAF Fairford.
Directions: RIAT 2024 takes place at RAF Fairford and significant road closures and diversions are put in place to ensure a smooth movement of traffic. On arrival in the local area please follow local signage to RAF Fairford and once on the base you will be directed to the appropriate car park by base personnel.
Noise: The FRIAT enclosure is adjacent to the main runaway and as such the noise levels can reach very high levels during take off, landings and fly pasts. Ear defenders are highly recommended.
Tripods / Monopods: Tripods with a Gimbal might be useful but will restrict your angle of view. Monopods might also offer some extra stability if you are shooting with long lenses. However, we would recommend shooting handheld as this will give you maximum flexibility when tracking aircraft in flight.
Other: Please wear comfortable clothing / hats / shoes / boots suitable for being outside in a range of weather. It is also advisable to bring sunscreen and insect repellant.
If you have any questions about this experience day contact us at [email protected]
Not Included:
Accommodation is not included and you should book your own if needed. The Nikon School team will meet you each morning inside the FRIAT marquee at the Nikon School loan desk.
Food / Refreshments. The FRIAT enclosure has a range of independent food / refreshments vans offering a variety of dietary options as well as hot & cold drinks. There are many more options in the main show area as well. You can also bring your own food and refreshments if you wish.
It was great to be able to meet up with Neil & Ricci before and during the air show - the morning meetups were full of useful tips and tricks to get the best out of my Nikon kit at an airshow, I have been to quite a lot of airshows so have a reasonable knowledge of how to get good pictures at them but as always with photography you never stop learning and I have found that this is always the case with Neil & Ricci. They both gave me information, advice and instruction on how to improve.
Trevor P.
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