Up in the Air: A Tale of Plane-Window Photography

Everyone adores snapping pictures from plane windows; they're ideal for sharing on social media, weaving captivating stories, and encapsulating the thrill of jetting off to a picturesque destination. But, as we know, capturing that perfect shot through a plane window isn't as straightforward as point-and-click. I have been always enthralled by the views from a plane. Seeing a view that people couldn't experience until about a hundred years ago is enough to make it enjoyable.

Let's cover all the points I think are important in getting the right shot from 35k.

Pic 1: Alps

1. Mastering Logistics

- The right seat: Now, securing the optimal seat is where the journey begins. Dive into the aircraft diagram during booking to grab a window seat offering an unobstructed view. For the basics, aim for that window seat. If you're travelling with friends/family, swapping seats for a quick photoshoot is a breeze, but with a stranger next to you, the luck might not be on your side. Ideally, choose a seat four or five rows ahead of the wings. Beware of engine heat waves if you're seated right behind the wings, and if you find yourself in the back rows, watch out for the aeroplane's rear stabilizer. So, a compromise is in order – go for a seat four or five rows behind the wings. Also, don't forget to position yourself on the best side of the plane; think of catching the sunrise or sunset in the twilight hour flights (As a rule my default option is to book flights in this golden hour).

Pic 2: Setting sun reflected in a waterbody over South India

- Timing is Everything: In my experience, those precious few minutes (up to 30 min in most cases) post-takeoff are the golden moments for capturing plane-window wonders. Why, you ask? After a bit of flying, windows tend to ice up or get fogged, making it a challenge to focus and resulting in less sharp images. And, if the airport is close to a city, you can capture some beautiful buildings and key monuments. Great views might spring up anytime during the flight. So, be ready!

Pic 3: The Himalayas as we were landing in Dehradun

2. Perfecting Technique

- Lens and the window: Let's talk technique – keeping that lens away from the window is more important than you'd think. Pressing the lens against the glass may seem like a clever move to reduce reflections, but it actually induces more camera shake. To minimise reflections, slap on a lens hood and position your setup as close to the window as possible. While this won't completely eliminate camera shake, fear not. Also, keep an eye out for the plane's banking moments – usually just after takeoff and before landing – offering you a brief window (no pun intended) to capture the ground below.

Pic 4: The colourful city of Davao, Philippines

- Choosing the Right Lens: Now, the lens – a tug of war between long-focus and wide-angle options. Opt for an increased focal length, and you might struggle to capture expansive landscapes; go wider, and you'll grab more of the airplane wing and window frame. A 50 mm lens could be your sweet spot. I use my Sigma 17-70mm F2.8 for my plane photos (gives the range to play with).

Pic 5: Moonset over Bangalore

- Daytime Flights: As any shutterbug knows, light is a game-changer in photography. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do during nighttime flights, with the plane's instability/vibrations thwarting any dreams of clear images at high ISO settings. Plus, internal lights – the overheads, TVs, and seat belt signs – can play havoc with your composition as they bounce off the window. Opt for daytime flights, steering clear of the sun in your face to dodge window glare. If you're on an early morning or late-day flight, seize the opportunity for sunrise or sunset photos, basking in the warm light of the golden hour.

Pic 6: A race in the sky?

- Charting the Course: Before you board, look at the route using tools like Google Maps or flight-tracking apps. This savvy move lets you decide which side of the airplane will treat you to the most breathtaking views (the pilot can surprise you with a change in the route). Stick to the same side on a round-trip, and you'll savour the full view.

Pic 7: Paris cityscape

- Skip the Polariser: Leave that Polariser out of the mix. The windows are likely already polarised.

Pic 8: Supa Dam in Dandeli

- Finding Points of Interest: Now, let's tackle composition. While scenes outside plane windows might seem spectacular to the naked eye, translating that beauty into photos can be a challenge. Why? Because a great photo needs an anchor point – something that grabs the viewer's attention and draws them into the scene. So, instead of just point-and-shoot, look for a point of interest – a cloud formation, another plane, a coastline, or a setting sun. Get creative; include elements of the plane itself, like a wing or an engine. If you want to take things up a notch, throw in elements from inside the plane – a person's face, a hand, or even a drink table.

Pic 9: An earned view!

3. Camera Settings Dance:

Time for camera settings – go wide open by setting your camera to aperture priority, reducing your depth of field (keep that aperture number low such as ¼ compared to 1/20 ) and minimising the chances of capturing unwanted window impurities. Switch to manual focus to avoid the autofocus getting befuddled by the window. Focus on the clouds or horizon (if you have a focus-peaking function). Turn off that flash; planes tend to be dimly lit, especially at night, and you don't want your flash popping off unexpectedly. Processing is key in post-production. Tools like blacks, clarity, de-hazing, and sharpening work wonders for enhancing images shot through those thick windows. I use Snapseed app on the phone and the OnOne photo editing suite on the computer.

Pic 10: Mumbai waking up.

4. Etiquette and Regulations:

Maintaining discretion is the name of the game when it comes to pointing your camera – avoid turning it toward the cabin, and be mindful of that unmistakable shutter click that might not sit well with your seatmate. According to the latest info from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), photography is generally allowed, but there are exceptions. Say no to selfies inside the plane (it's an invasion of other passengers' privacy), in airports with defence services, and, of course, inside the cockpit.

Pic 11: End of another day

Parting Shots

Experiment with your camera settings – there's no one-size-fits-all here. Before your next flight, brush up on those basic camera skills, ensuring you don't miss a golden opportunity once your plane takes off. As you soar through the skies armed with these insights, may your photographic journey be as captivating as the scenes unfolding beyond the plane window. Happy shooting!

Pic 12: Monsoon clouds over Karnataka.