This post about the Japan Air show which was held in Tsuiki in 2013, is essentially a photo-blog. Since I am very new to shooting air shows, hence not yet qualified enough to write a “how to shoot air shows” or “camera settings” etc. But you will find the EXIF that I used for taking these photos (at the end).
Photo-blog: Japan Air Show
Tsuiki Air Field – 2013
Preparing yourself (technically) before heading to photo-shoot any event (like Fireworks etc) is probably the most important aspect. Unfortunately, I wasn’t prepared for this one at all. One fine Saturday morning very early morning (28th April 2013), my friend woke me up and told that there is this Air-show not very far from our city. It was already 6 am, and we just rushed to the venue. I was just lucky that my camera and phone were fully charged and utilized the drive-time to read through some “how to shoot” etc. (details are given below).
About Tsuiki (Japan)
Tsuiki is a small city in the Fukuoka prefecture (Kyushu Island) and is mainly known for its airbase – Japan Air Self-Defense Force Tsuiki Airbase.
Reaching Tsuiki is not a difficult task if you are on the Kyushu island. You can reach the Kyushu island from the other ones either via Fukuoka or through Oita. Since I used to stay in Oita, it was fairly simple for me. Just a 90km drive!
The Air Show
We reached the airbase around 8am, but as expected, it was already heavily crowded. A tip, similar to the fireworks photography, the place you choose (or “get” if you are late) is very important for framing a nice shot. That’s why most pro-photographers had apparently reached there by 5.30 am !!
We were lucky enough that a partially-cloudy day gradually cleared up to become bright and sunny, and hence most of the photos have a beautiful blue backdrop! 🙂
…and the Air Show begins…
Although my max zoom lens was only 200 mm, my Japanese language skills came to rescue and I was successful in convincing an old uncle to share one of his lenses (400 mm) with me which he wasn’t using (coz he had a 600mm lens) !!
Camera Settings used:
ISO: 200
Shutter speed: as fast as possible (approx 1/250 – 1/400 sec)
Aperture: f/7.1Links:
How To Photograph an Airshow
Tips and Tutorials for Photographing Air Shows
In the end…
Spectacular images! I love air shows, they always amaze me!
Thank you so much! 🙂
Great shots. Sadly not any civil aircraft on photos (or maybe not at the airshow). The artistic impression is excellent. 🙂
Thank you finnoytravel. Yes, there were only fighter aircrafts in the events.
Nice pictures
Thanks for sharing
keep up the good work
Great pictures, thanks for sharing. Definitely something I want to experience in person.
-Ashley
Thank you Ashley.. its definitely something to add to your bucket list. 🙂
“The Dip” is one of the best Air-Show pictures I’ve ever seen; and as an avid photographer I’m pretty picky. Good job.
WOW!! Thank you soo much! Those words coming from an avid photographer means a lot to me! 🙂
I’ve never even been to an air show and the idea almost scares me. I’ve always had a fear of flying but I am absolutely in awe of planes at the same time. You’ve really captured the power of the planes in these pictures though, so impressive and beautiful!
Thanks a lot, Zoe! 🙂
I’ve never shot an air show before but I think you did a fantastic job. The photos have such great detail. Well done!
Thanks a lot.. Shooting an Air Show definitely something to add to your bucket list. ?
WOW…I have never been to an air show! This looks amazing…love the photos!
Thanks a lot, Christine. 🙂
Its been years since I was at an air show. I remember how exciting it was. Thank you for the lovely photos.
Thank you ! 🙂
I’ve never been to an air show! Your photos came out awesome!
Thank you for the compliments, and you must put Air Show in your Bucket List!! 🙂
Excellent shots. It’s great when you can find a really good photo opportunity. Thanks for the pictures haven’t been to an air show in years.
Thank you for the compliments!! Yup, I was lucky that weather was beautiful on that particular day! 🙂
I’ve never been to an airshow but it looks amazing! Your pictures are beautiful also!
Thank you for the compliments!!
Wow. This is extremely beautiful.
Thank you Priyanka!! 🙂
Your photography skills are 'Soaring High'-er and higher with time. Keep experimenting, mate !!! I personally liked the very first pic on this page the most. 'The Fleet' looks like a WW2 snap – perfect & scary.
La jabab hi…..
Thank you so much 🙂
Dona Darling….. yess the show was wonderful !! thank you again! 🙂
Thank you Vivienne. 🙂
Thanks Reeti.. not just for this one, but thank you for your constant motivation. 🙂
and, "Soaring High" is my favorite too. 🙂
Thank you "Just a girl becoming well acquainted with the world". Yup, without any prior experience of shooting airshows, I was just lucky that the photos came out good. 🙂
Can feel how amazing the show must have been, from your photographs! Great work, keep it up! 🙂
Wow!!!!! These photos are so beautiful! I think my favorite is the "show begins" one. You are truly a great photographer!
Those are some amazing photos!!! How cool! 🙂
As always Amazing pictures Mainak & beautifully captured! Soaring High & the Dip are my favorites of the lot!
For "not knowing how to shoot an airshow", you did an amazing job! I think these are beautiful photos. bravo!
Thank you 🙂
Thank you.. i visited you G+ profile. Please share your blog link here too. thanks again.
Hello Helena.. Thank you so much, I am glad you liked the photos…
and I am sure you can take a similar photo, infact much better..
I saw your "Paris" post and left you a comment. I think it will be super if you can put some texts too. 🙂
Beautiful! Nice work, great pictures!!!!
That's amazing pictures . I can't say anything , its just perfect
These shots are amazing. I don`t think that I can take a photo that is this good. Probably because I don`t have the right equipment.