Top 5 Photography Tips for Capturing the Action at Richmond RAAF Air Show

The skies above Richmond RAAF Base will thunder with the roar of jets, the grace of heritage aircraft and the spectacle of military displays in one of the year’s most anticipated aviation events. For photographers, it’s a rare chance to test their skills against some of the fastest and most dynamic subjects you’ll ever point a lens at.

For many it will be their first experience and incredible opportunity to shoot aircraft and in particular performing aircraft high in the sky at great speed. It will be a challenge for us all.

To help you make the most of this one-off opportunity, here are five expert tips for photographing aircraft in action – ensuring your shots stand out from the thousands expected to flood social media after the show.

1. Check all your gear beforehand

Think of this as your pre-flight checklist. Memory cards should be empty and formatted, batteries fully charged (bring multiple – you’ll need them), and lenses cleaned and ready. Carry a tripod or monopod if you plan on long-lens shooting, and pack your gear in a comfortable, weather-ready bag. Don’t forget yourself either: hat, sunscreen, water, and clothing for a long day outdoors. Updating your camera’s firmware before the show can save you headaches on the day. Air shows are often once-in-a-lifetime events – a small gear hiccup shouldn’t be the reason you miss the shot.

2. Dial in the right settings

Aircraft demand speed – but sometimes, slowing things down creates drama. For jets, use a fast shutter speed (1/1000 sec or faster) to freeze them razor sharp as they rip across the sky. For propeller aircraft, drop to around 1/250 sec to capture the motion of the prop, which gives life to the image. And if you really want to separate the aircraft from the background, experiment with a slower shutter speed while panning – this creates a beautiful motion blur behind the aircraft while keeping the subject sharp. Use burst mode to fire sequences and increase your chance of nailing that perfect frame.

3. Work with the light

More often than not, you’ll get your strongest images with the sun behind you, keeping the aircraft lit cleanly against the sky. But , but don’t be afraid to experiment. A silhouetted jet carving across the sun or a backlit plane trailing vapour can be incredibly dramatic. Clouds, haze, or smoke trails can all add to the mood of the image if you expose carefully. Be flexible with your position during the day – light changes, and so should you.

4. Track, anticipate and find the angle

Knowing the schedule or at least the types of aircraft flying will help you anticipate what’s coming next. Start tracking a plane as early as possible – don’t wait until it’s overhead. Continuous autofocus (AI Servo/AF-C) will keep it locked on as you pan. But just as important is where you shoot from. If everyone stands in the same spot, you’ll end up with the same photos. Look for different angles: shoot low against the sky, frame the aircraft through structures, or capture the symmetry of formations as they split apart. Fresh perspectives will separate your shots from the thousands of others taken that day.

5. Experiment and have fun

An air show is as much about creativity as it is about technical skill. Don’t be afraid to play with your settings, angles, and perspectives. Try shooting wide for dramatic formations, slow your shutter to blur backgrounds and convey speed, or go abstract by focusing on vapour trails and exhaust shimmer. Switch between lenses to keep things fresh or challenge yourself to capture details you’d normally overlook – like the underside of a jet banking hard, or the tight precision of a formation crossing paths. The key is to experiment and enjoy the process. Often, the most memorable photos come from trying something unexpected.

During the weekend at Richmond RAAF Base, the opportunities will be endless – from the split-second drama of a fast jet pulling hard into a climb, to the subtle artistry of a vapour trail glowing against the late afternoon sun. With preparation, the right settings, and a willingness to experiment, photographers can walk away with images that capture not just the aircraft, but the experience itself.

📸 Heading to the show? Put these tips to the test and share your best shots with #RichmondAirShow and #JeffWalshPhoto– we’d love to see the view from your lens.