RAF Northolt – Nightshoot XXXII

French CN-235

French EC725 Caracel

Photographers

The photographers were considerate of each other which made for an enjoyable evening.

Things to know:

• Be prepared for how dark it is on the apron. Lots of pictures photographers have published make it look far brighter than it actually is.
• Pictures on your camera’s screen will look far brighter in the darkened conditions of the airfield than when you look at them on a computer in a well lit room. What looks over exposed on the night might turn out to be just right.
• If it’s new to you, practice night photography before the big night so you can concentrate on the aircraft and enjoying the evening rather than getting frustrated with your camera.
• A tripod is essential.
• Find out how to take a picture with your camera so you are not touching it when it actually takes the picture mounted on a tripod using a long exposure or slow shutter speed so as to avoid getting camera shake in the pictures. You can use self timer, a cable/electronic release or plenty of cameras can be controlled by a phone app via Bluetooth/Wi-Fi.
• As you’d expect of a military base, cars and bags get searched on entry. The rough rule of thumb is, if you wouldn’t take it with you into an aircraft’s cabin then you can’t (as a guest civilian) take it into RAF Northolt.
• Everything is pretty relaxed with the service personnel on duty. They are there for your safety and security. But be under no illusions that you’d rapidly see their grumpy side if you transgress the rules.
• The limit of your wandering is a clearly marked line painted on the concrete.
• What you can photograph is clearly identified and defined – stick to them.