About This Tour
Aviation photography at the finest airshow in the world
The Shuttleworth Collection at Old Warden Aerodrome in Bedfordshire hosts the UK's finest shows of vintage and veteran aircraft, the only airshow in the world where aircraft from across aviation history regularly take to the skies together. From Edwardian biplanes to Second World War fighters, each display is a photographer's dream.
The collection includes some of the only airworthy examples of genuine WW1 and WW2 combat aircraft in the world, along with graceful pre-war speed record holders from the 1930s and early Edwardian aircraft that flew in the years aviation was born. It is a rare display unlike any other. Old Warden's unique L-shaped airfield means the aircraft bank close to spectators and pass at the perfect angle for practising panning technique. It genuinely couldn't be better designed for photography.
Capturing aircraft in flight is a true test of photographic skill: panning technique, shutter speed selection and timing are everything. Your guide will walk you through the theory before the first aircraft takes off, and then work alongside you throughout the entire display, giving real-time feedback as the aircraft perform and helping you refine your technique with every pass.
Key Subjects
What you'll photograph
Day Schedule
How the day unfolds
What's Included
Everything taken care of
Recommended equipment: Telephoto lenses of 200mm+ (full frame equivalent) give the best results in the air, 300–500mm is ideal. A wide-angle or mid-range lens is useful for static flight-line aircraft and vintage vehicles on the ground. A tripod or monopod is optional. We'll have a tripod and gimbal setup available. Please bring a blank SD card and a spare battery.
Equipment to borrow: We have multiple telephoto setups available on the day, 1× Canon 100–400mm EF, 1× Nikon 200–500mm F-mount, 1× Nikon 70–200mm + 1.4× extender (giving 98–280mm equivalent), plus 70–300mm Canon EF and Nikon F options, and a Sony E adapter. Just let us know what you'd like to try when you book.
Not included: Food and drink. Hot drinks and food are available on site, or feel free to bring your own. It's a lovely outdoor picnic setting. Please dress for the weather and bring sun cream, a hat, or wet weather gear as appropriate.
Gallery
Images from the Airshow
FAQs