Night-time aviation photography advice?

In a couple of weeks time, I'm doing my first night-time aviation photography session at the Shuttleworth Collection. I've done a bit of research in to typical settings, and I *think* I have an idea, but don't want to lose too much time on the night uisng the wrong settings. I have a tripod, and a remote shutter release. I'm planning on using my 18-200mm lens, and know to block off the view finder, and focus manually by using the LCD screen and zooming in. What else should I be considering? The aircraft will be both static and taxying, but we should all get multiple good, differing, opportunities. Thanks in advance.

You are probably going to require a high ISO setting if it's dark, unless the plan is capture movement on the taxying aircraft.

I don't believe in all my night work on tripod that I ever bothered to cover the viewfinder. My theory being it's about as dark behind the viewfinder as in front of the lens.

For static shots, just set up and expose for as long as needed. I do not know a good starting point for the taxiing aircraft that won't give motion blur. Unless some trails from the running lights is desired.

Friday night went quite well I feel. Was more floodlit than I'd anticipated, so really long exposures weren't needed (some attendees however claimed to be trying 5 second long exposures?) We used the Sea Hurricane, Dragon Rapide, and Avro 504K

Nice series!

Great set :encouragement:

Very nice. In particular it is great to be able to shoot a slower shutter so the propellers are in a full spin instead of being stopped or nearly-stopped as can happen in bright daylight.

I agree with BF Hammer. Being able to spin the propellers in you shot is a lot better looking than stopped or nearly stopped propellers.

thanks folks. Kicking myself a bit that I didn't get a full wing-span front shot of the Hurricane on its engine run, but I think I was too focussed on getting a good prop disc and didn't give full attention to the framing. Plus, with the landing light on, it was blowing out a lot of pictures. Ah well, just means I have an excuse to go on another shoot! lol