As Belgium's most successful planespotter on Instagram, Belgianspotter knows precisely what he's doing. Read on and discover the elements contributing to the ultimate shot.
From photo to iconic pearl
Guillaume, also known as Belgianspotter, has been sharing his love for airplanes on Instagram since 2017. His Instagram account is a gallery of airplane photos that has evolved into a planespotter community with over 26.000 followers.
At this moment, Guillaume has captured over 220.000 airplane photos. But how does the image we see on Instagram come to life?
Love for the camera
Guillaume's camera equipment includes a Nikon D7100 camera, his faithful companion for capturing airplane images. He possesses an assortment of lenses:
- An 18-55 mm lens for photographing airplanes that are very close.
- A 70-300 mm lens for shots at medium distances. This lens allows for considerable zooming.
- A 150-600 mm lens for extreme zooming and capturing sharp images from a considerable distance. Like this shot:
Additionally, Guillaume uses a tripod when there's low light, for instance, for taking night shots. Here you can see the American Doomsday plane at Brussels Airport.
Banging editing skills
After capturing the frames, RAW-files are transformed into unique pearls using Adobe Lightroom. Occasionally, he employs Photoshop for the finishing touche.
With these programs, he refines every aspect of the image, bringing them to life and communicating true beauty. Once exported as JPEG’s, the photos are ready for appearance on Instagram.
Russian power in Ostend
Belgium has five commercial airports facilitating passenger transport.
But what does Belgium offer for the planespotting community? Here's Guillaume's take:
- Brussels Airport, a true hub for planespotters, converted a part of the grass field along the runway into a spotters platform a few years ago. This has become the designated location for spotters to enjoy a panoramic view of the runway.
But, Brussels Airport has three runways, and not all planes pass along the spotters' platform. When Guillaume and his friends search for locations with a view of the other two runways, they occasionally encounter the police.
"We were kindly asked to leave the rooftop of a parking garage, once the aircraft where we came for passed by."
- For special encounters with iconic 747s, Guillaume prefers Liège Airport, where an abundance of cargo planes can be admired. Unfortunately, there are no spotters platforms like in Zaventem, so finding the right location to capture images can be a challenge.
"Sometimes we climb onto the roof of my car to look over the fence."
- Ostend holds a special place in Guillaume's heart. Not only due to frequent spotting sessions but also because of his short study in aviation technology at Vives University College. But why is such a small airport beloved by Guillaume? Ostend Airport regularly welcomes unique Russian airplanes, like this Antonov AN-124:
To avoid missing such unique airplanes, Guillaume occasionally skipped his classes to capture these enormous unique metal birds.
- Guillaume doesn't hold much praise for Charleroi Airport, as mostly monotonous Boeing 737s from Ryanair pass through.
"We've seen those a thousand times."
- At the small Antwerp International Airport, air traffic passes sporadically. However, it has a cozy restaurant with a beautiful view over the airport.
Guillaume's tips for beginning spotters
- Patience is crucial, but be prepared. Airplanes can appear at the most unexpected moments. Keep your camera ready because missing a special airplane can be very disappointing, and it might take months before you get another chance to capture it.
- Choose your spotting locations based on the position of the sun. Backlighting is almost always unfavorable for the camera and doesn't result in good photos. Ensure the sun is mostly behind you when taking airplane photos.
- Check the weather forecast. You can't use your expensive camera in pouring rain. Taking photos with a blue sky yields the best results.
Conclusion
Guillaume has translated planespotting into art. He has mastered his Nikon and Adobe Lightroom, creating ultimate photos from the world of the aviation industry.
By: Rico Valkenborgh | December 21, 2023
Flying while pregnant? What you need to know
What happens if you give birth on an airplane? You wouldn't expect it, but it does happen. A baby being born prematurely is not extremely rare, but a baby being born at 10 km altitude certainly is. Everything you need to know about airplane babies is revealed in this article.
8 tips for a stress-free airport experience
Going through the airport can be exciting, especially when you think about all the things you need to organize: from packing your suitcase to boarding the plane. But don't worry, with good preparation and these tips, you can navigate the airport stress-free and fully enjoy your well-deserved vacation. Ready to read along?
The journey of your airplane meal: behind the scenes
Before your airplane meal takes to the skies alongside you, it undergoes a significant journey. From the specialized factory kitchen to the galley of the aircraft. As a flight attendant, I serve food to the passengers on every flight, but where does that food come from? Let's take a behind-the-scenes look at our inflight catering provider.
Feeling bloated during your flight? Avoid these foods
My belt needed a notch looser, and the fries need a bit more salt. What happens to our bodies when we fly, and why does food taste different in the air? As a flight attendant I will explain these questions for you. Shall we dive in?
A day in the life of a flight attendant: layovers in Cabo Verde and Egypt
A flight attendant stopover between two flights: what does it look like and why is it sometimes necessary? In this blog, I'll explain it to you.
Do's and don'ts on-board an aircraft
What should you do and what should you not do on a plane according to the cabin crew? in other terms, what are my biggest annoyances on-board the plane? Discover it here:
Reactie plaatsen
Reacties