Photographing the Blue Angels Air Show

Aviation photography has always held a special place in my heart. Some of my earliest memories involve my dad taking me to air shows or going to the airport perimeter fencing (back when you could do that) to watch the planes take off and land on weekends. One of my first “real” jobs was with Southwest Airlines, and I did manage to get my single-engine pilots license in the late 90’s.

Aviation II

Over the years, I've curated several aviation portfolios, with the latest being Aviation II Portfolio. If you're interested in that kind of photography, be sure to check it out.

A few weeks ago, I attended the Beyond the Horizon Air and Space Show at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. I've seen the Blue Angels perform many times before, more times than I can actually recall. I've witnessed both the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds in various locations across the country, and I've never been disappointed by their aircraft demonstrations—not once. This show was no different. However, I always seem to forget just how fantastic these displays are, how precise, talented, and skilled these pilots are as they execute each performance.

The Aviation Lens

From a photography standpoint, capturing images at an air show is not overly challenging, especially if you're positioned near the flight line, AND have the “correct” lens. Typically, the planes will execute a "photo op" flyby along the length of the runway, with wings angled toward the crowd. Well, when I say it's not that difficult… that's barring the fact that these planes can reach speeds of up to 700 mph with extremely fast closure rates. If you're relying on the standard lens, like I was this day, it may be a little more challenging. For distance photography, in the aviation world, the 70-200 f/2.8 or a similar version is the standard go-to lens, and I didn't have that luxury this time.

It's not that I haven't owned this lens before. In fact, I've owned several versions of the Nikon 70-200mm lens over the years. From the Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8 AF-S (pre-VR) version to the first Nikon 70-200mm VR-G and the Mark II VR iterations, I’ve used all of them. There's even a photo of me holding the 80-200mm version of this lens at the Las Vegas airport on my gear page, dating back to around 2002 when I was there to photograph Air Force One during takeoff.

Indeed, this lens has been one of my most frequently used tools throughout my 30 years of photography, particularly when I was active in aviation photography. It accompanied me to nearly every airport I visited, and was my reliable go-to lens option. During that time, when aviation photography was my main focus, it was essentially the only lens I relied on. The only downside I found to that lens was it tended to attract too much attention, which isn’t a great thing at an airport.

The Normal Lens

On the day of the Beyond the Horizon Air and Space Show, I decided to experiment with some new gear. Unfortunately, the only lens I had on hand was a 50mm lens attached to an APS-C body (a 75mm equivalent), which meant I wouldn't be able to capture close-up shots of aircraft in flight. However, the essence of this post is to encourage fellow photographers attending air shows to work with whatever equipment they have available. You don't necessarily need a specialized lens like the 70-200mm; in fact, you can simply utilize your cellphone if you're attuned to its photographic capabilities. Is the 70-200mm lens THE single lens to have at an air show? Maybe. But it's possible to get great shots without one.

Below is a gallery of shots I curated from the day. Most fall into what I'd term "environmental shots," offering a narrative of the surroundings of the event. While I would have relished the opportunity to capture close-up shots of the Blue Angels during their delta flyby, being compelled to work with what some might consider the "wrong" lens at an event, has its advantages. It dictates creativity and pushes you to think outside the box.

Environmental Images

One of my favorite shots of the day captured a man standing in front of the Blue Angels' flight line before they ignited their engines—a moment that would have been impossible with a long lens. Another favorite of mine is an image of an F-16 passing in front of a smoke cloud created by the "bomb ordinances" as it flew by. Both of these shots were only possible because of the shorter lens I was using.

An unfortunate part of the day was the placement of the sun, which of course is what it is, and everyone, regardless of equipment, was staring directly into the blazing sun all day. This means super high contrast images, backlit planes, and tricky exposures. But that works photographically in other ways and makes for some more dramatic “environment” shots too.

Ghost Writer Demonstration

A standout of the day was the Ghost Writer flight. His demonstration was nothing short of incredible, showcasing a wide array of acrobatics and maneuverability. Additionally, a father-son duo delivered an impressive display together. And then there were the WWII planes. Perhaps it was because we had just finished watching "Masters of the Air" that these planes were particularly awe-inspiring to witness in flight. The majestic nature of these aircraft, coupled with thoughts of them navigating through flak fired by the Germans as they moved through the air, is truly difficult to comprehend.

Despite not having my preferred lens (or camera) at this show, I'm satisfied with what I managed to capture. If you ever get the chance to witness the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds in action, go—you won't be disappointed. And remember, whatever camera you have on hand will be sufficient. After all, the best camera is always the one you have with you.

For those interested, the full gallery with EXIF data can be found over on the Flickr gallery for the air show.

Air Show Gallery

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