Ladders at the beach

[Maikha Ly]

Hi all

Have the day off work tomorrow, and was thinking of reacquainting myself with my aviation interest and head out for some spotting and photography at the airport tomorrow. It's been a long time since I've done so, and the scene has changed alot since!

I assume I'll work my way around between spots as the light changes, starting at the mound, foreshore road, Krispy Kreme donuts, Qantas drive, then settle at the beach for the rest of the afternoon, depending on where the planes are departing/arriving on.


My main query, it is still ok to bring a ladder to the beach spot along the fence, and prop it there? I've been hearing stories about security ushering people along or at least asking them to move it a few metres behind the fence. I mainly ask to decide whether I drag it along tomorrow or not. Many years ago, I managed alright with two milk crates :P

Hope the weather is as good tomorrow as it is today. Hoping to add to the collection some photos of SAABs, Jetstreams, Tiger Airways Airbuses, Jungle Jets, the odd QF A380 and anything else abit exotic to add to the albums :)


Many thanks for the advice, and if anyone's about tomorrow, I'm an asian bloke and wearing my #3 Red Spot NYC Subway shirt, by all means say hi!

[Nigel C]

It might be a good idea to keep it 3 metres back from the fence...

[Adrian B]

Others on the forum may correct me but I understand you CANNOT lean the ladder up against the fence under ANY circumstances. You must be several metres off the fenceline. I would also not suggest you sit on top of the ladder all the time, just get up, take the shot, then hop down again.

[Nigel C]

Your understanding is correct Adrian.

[Lee G]

I've been out there on numerous occasions and asides from the occasional stop and look by Security to see if I was outside the 3 metres imaginary boundary, all was good. AFP may come down to check you out but again if you stay out of the 3m zone. They will quite happily have a chat and basically leave you alone.

Have a good time down there tommorrow and I'm sure you'll get some nice photos!

[Maikha Ly]

Gentlemen

Many thanks for the advice provided, and by the looks of the weather forecast, it's going to be a good day!

If I could ask a few more frivolous questions, would I expect to see many A380s during the day, with QF, SQ or Emirates? It's not on my high list of fish to catch, though I've only seen an SQ380 in the flesh, and the QF one briefly flying over Sydney Harbour on Australia Day, wouldn't mind seeing the others tomorrow.


Thanks again!

[Lee G]

Suggest you be out at the fence around 1130 onwards. Scheduled 380 departures are 1410,1640 and 1740, plus you may be lucky in that there is a positioning flight arriving at 1155 which may also be a 380 from Melbourne. There is also another positioning flight arriving at 1300 from Melbourne - not sure about this one.

The Last two flights mentioned were from the SACL website.

[Maikha Ly]

Hi all

Firstly, my thanks to you all for your responses and advice to my query. I finally managed to get out today to various locations around the airport and had a brilliant day, perfect weather, two good mates, a good healthy dose of turboprops present, and finally seeing some planes I've been deprived of seeing while living out bush.

We started off in the morning at the mound, which was well patronised with other spotters. I'd like to say hello to Jarrad, who also introduced himself to us.

We were there until midday, before moving onto the boat ramp area off Foreshore Drive, overseeing traffic on 16L/34R, which by then, was arriving on 16L. This kept us here for another hour before we moved onto the spot located inside Krispy Kreme for some donuts, muffins and iced coke, and an Air Ambulance King Air, and then finally settled at the beach for the rest of the afternoon.

I brought a 5 step collapsible ladder with me, and rather than get it within 3m of the fence, I just placed it securely at the edge of the grass well away from it, still giving me unobstructed views above the fenceline. The AFP showed up once at the fence, confirmed I was there photographing planes (Not that the camera with the big lens was any giveaway), said I was 'doing the right thing' (Whatever that was, I assume he was referring to me spending my time doing that, and not trainspotting or something), and moved on.


I came home with about 3GB worth of photos, so I've selected a sample, and would like to share them here. Consider me relatively new to the game, so I'd definitely appreciate some constructive criticism to improve my game next time I head back out there. Some of the angles and compositions I've tried may not be everyone's cup of tea, but each to their own :)

The Mound - 1030 to 1200

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_3856.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_3886.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_3892.jpg
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http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_3944.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_3956.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_3964.jpg

Photos continue on next post

[Maikha Ly]

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_3984.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4003.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4056.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4100.jpg
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Boat ramp off Foreshore Road - 1215 to 1300

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4179.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4133.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4148.jpg
(Did he have ATC clearence to fly around there? :p )

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4151.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4166.jpg

[Maikha Ly]

The Beach - 1330 to 1630

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4218.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4226.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4234.jpg
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http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4373.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4437.jpg

[Maikha Ly]

The Beach (Continued)

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4489.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4500.jpg
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http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4622.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4630.jpg

[Zac M]

Did you happen to photograph OEB? I am yet to try spotting in Sydney but with my new camera I want to give it a go. Very nice picture of the REX SAABs by the way.

[Maikha Ly]

Final Post!

Beach, again

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4664.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4684.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4695.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4708.jpg


Waving Pilots

Many thanks to the passing parade of pilots who gave a kind wave towards us at the fence. It's good to know that they acknowledge us and appreciate us having an interest in what they do.

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4238.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4326.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4635.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4652.jpg

Last but definitely not least

Been hunting this aircraft out for a photo for quite a long time, and this has been due to where I've been living the past three years. My LAST shot today I finally got it!

http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100316-yssy/IMG_4727.jpg


Anyhow, thanks for putting up with all these photos, and if you have some feedback you wish to share, by all means do so, as it all helps the next time I head back out to the fence! :)

Enjoy

[Maikha Ly]

Did you happen to photograph OEB? I am yet to try spotting in Sydney but with my new camera I want to give it a go. Very nice picture of the REX SAABs by the way.Thanks dude!

With OEB, unfortunately not. After our excursion to the donut shop, we got to the old tower carpark and it was taxiing past us to the terminal. Infact, we would have driven past the gentlemen who got the shot of it from the carpark, as detailed in another post on this forum: http://www.yssyforum.net/board/showpost.php?p=43734&postcount=7


As for the SAABs, I must confess to having more of a soft spot for them (Turboprops in general) than the heavies. My companions today consider it an unhealthy obsession, but screw them! :)

[Zac M]

I like the turbo props as well, the Q400s are my favorites, but I loved the SAAB when I flew on one in 2003

[Dan Collins]

Very impressive photos, I enjoyed all of them!

I've not been to the 'boat ramp' off Foreshore Rd, is it easy to get to? Where do you park etc if driving there?

Thanks for sharing!

Dan

[Kent Broadhead]

The new boat ramp has plenty of parking and light controlled access off/to foreshore drive. Fish cleaning area is caged, I assume for bird control purposes. There's also another area further north that appears to be nearing completion - I'm looking forward to some takeoff shots there. It's a great experience driving along foreshore and having a 34R Departure bank over the top of you.....

[Stephen Brown]

It's loverly...

http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/2/9/0/9/98228_1268288909.jpg

http://images3.jetphotos.net/img/1/1/1/0/86435_1268289011.jpg

[Tony G]

Nice photos Maikha. Thanks for sharing. Did not comment on your earlier posts, but i really do like some of your photos.

It has been a while since I got the ladder out and got up close. I might actually go out tomorrow, since I have the day off:D. A budget heathly( they use unleaded dont they:p) dose of enjoyment.

Does anyone know what freighters come in or out tomorrow?

[Maikha Ly]

Dan, Chris, Tony and all, many thanks for the feedback, which has been encouraging!

I shall be heading out to the boatramp next to Foreshore Rd tomorrow for a spiel before heading off to work for the evening shift. Fingers crossed the weather is as good as it has been all week :)

[Stephen Brown]

Chris,

I shot those pics with a D300, 300mm f4 hand held. Not much cropping was used, the 300mm was too much for the 767's when directly side on. 737/A320's fit just nicely though.

I did shoot from the end of the rockwall which is parallel to the boatramp. The only problem was the dredges in the channel getting in the way at times.

I also have the 70-200mm f2.8 VR, 18-200mm f3.5-5.6, 1.4xTC, 1.7xTC. Secondary camera body is a D200.

[Stephen Brown]

The 200-400 without the TC will be just fine

[Maikha Ly]

Hi all

As mentioned, the weather was too good for me to sleep in and stay home before my evening shift, so I spent the morning/lunchtime over at the roackwall on Foreshore Road to practice my photography, in tow with my brand spanking new handheld radio scanner I got an hour earlier (UBC73XLT).

My original intention was to walk along the timber walkway that heads north along the beach, sorta in the direction to the 16L side of things, however that walkway, and the beach have been entirely closed off and being destroyed by the local construction works. I settled for the rockwall as per Tuesday, with good results, the following I walked away with:


http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4817.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4780.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4795.jpg
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http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4811.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4809.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4802.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4775.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4771.jpg
http://www.theintercityplatform.com/20100319-yssy/IMG_4767.jpg

Very pleased, in my 2hrs there, managed to get all manner of domestic aircraft, and could also hear what they were saying to ATC :D

I use a basic 400D with 75-300mm lens, which does its job, but now it's yearning on me to either get a 400mm lens, or a TC. Would a TC just be the trick to getting that extra zoom in the photos?


Thanks, and enjoy!

[D Chan]

I was about to ask you what camera you use because I also have a 400D and for some strange reason the colours are more yellowish / redish than say the Nikon (tends to be more blueish). From your shots when you look at the background of the sky it is almost a brownish grey colour. This is the same problem I am getting - when the sky appears blue from my eyes the shots come out with a different colour...

Do you guys have any advice? and also does this have anything to do with Canon's colour detection? FYI I had a Nikon digital camera a long time ago and also have 2 point and shoot Canon cameras which tend to exhibit similar issues.

[Nigel C]

Yesterday was a bit of a hazy day, so the background colour probably isn't too far off what it really looked like.

What white balance settings are you using Dickson?

[Bernie P]

... in tow with my brand spanking new handheld radio scanner I got an hour earlier (UBC73XLT).

I use a basic 400D with 75-300mm lens, which does its job, but now it's yearning on me to either get a 400mm lens, or a TC. Would a TC just be the trick to getting that extra zoom in the photos?

SNAP! I too got the same scanner yesterday (still trying to work it out...)!

Here is my offering from the beach, but my Canon 400D had a recently purchased, second hand, 80-400mm lens!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4444661703_be6d236274.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4445433152_847c84f8de.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/4444663649_5f7d54f8e6.jpg

And QF 763 (VH-OGF) doing a go around! Was amazing to hear the spool up of the engines and see it head skywards!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4445431194_2b4fd064fe.jpg

[Philip Argy]

Some great rotation snaps, and the pilot waves are something I've not seen before. Nice bunch of pics, guys!

[Tony G]

Some more nice shots guys. Bernie I like that 767 taking off. I did have a day off the other day but could not find the area along foreshore drive to take photos. Looks like I would struggle for length anyway as i only have a 70-200 plus a 1.4 TC. I did take some from the mound. I will post tonight as the mrs is on my back to mow the lawn. Only if she was a spotter.:rolleyes:

[Bernie P]

Some more nice shots guys. Bernie I like that 767 taking off. I did have a day off the other day but could not find the area along foreshore drive to take photos. Looks like I would struggle for length anyway as i only have a 70-200 plus a 1.4 TC. I did take some from the mound. I will post tonight as the mrs is on my back to mow the lawn. Only if she was a spotter.:rolleyes:

Hey Tony,

Heading along Foreshore Drive, about 1/3 along maybe, is a new set of traffic lights that takes you into the new boat ramp area... Hard to miss, its HUGE! It is along the area that an infamous body was found many years ago concerning Neddy Smith...

As for the 763, it had JUST powered up for a go-around... Not sure why, but as soon as I heard it spool up, I turned to get it nose pointing upwards! Awesome to listen to and see!

Now, get back to those lawns, don't let the grass grow to high!!! :eek: :D :D :eek:

[Tony G]

Thanks Bernie. I appreciate the directions. I will try and find it next time I head down.

I took these, Thursday morning. I used a 70-200 2.8 IS L series and a 1.4 TC on a 40d.

I did not crop any of the photos, but I did use a contrast to brighten up the colours and leave out the photos with light poles in them:D. And of course I trade make my photos with a sensor spot in the upper center part of the photo.:rolleyes:needs another clean.

Here are some of the photos.

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share1.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share2.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share3.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share4.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share5.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share6.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share7.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share8.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share9.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share10.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share11.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share12.jpg

http://i486.photobucket.com/albums/rr222/DAplane/share13.jpg

[Maikha Ly]

I was about to ask you what camera you use because I also have a 400D and for some strange reason the colours are more yellowish / redish than say the Nikon (tends to be more blueish). From your shots when you look at the background of the sky it is almost a brownish grey colour. This is the same problem I am getting - when the sky appears blue from my eyes the shots come out with a different colour...
Yesterday was a bit of a hazy day, so the background colour probably isn't too far off what it really looked like.
I must admit I don't notice background sky colours. I take the shot, review it, make a slow and humble "...yeeeaaahhh" (For shots I feel I did well with), and carry on :)

But Nigel's suggestion sounds about right, it may be a WB setting on your camera

SNAP! I too got the same scanner yesterday (still trying to work it out...)!
Good stuff! I must admit, I was pretty keen to rush to Foreshore Rd after I got the scanner to give it a spin, and in my haste, left behind my list of frequencies in the car. But, as the name of the units do, I picked up all the frequencies by scanning the airband.
What's your scanner you got?


Btw, some great shots you got from the beach there Bernie.

Thanks Bernie. I appreciate the directions. I will try and find it next time I head down.

I took these, Thursday morning. I used a 70-200 2.8 IS L series and a 1.4 TC on a 40d. In addition, there are some fantastic photos you managed to capture there Tony.

What time would this have been on Thursday morning? I've been meaning to head out there one morning to get all the heavies, like the ones you've photographed.


Thanks gentlemen, keep those photos coming!

[Steve C]

I was trying that the other day with a 200-400mm F/4.0 AF-S VR Nikkor lens on a big Nikon camera body. :rolleyes:

and just about near pitching me off the ladder.



This was taken with a D200 and 200-400 Nikon from the top of a 1.8 mtr ladder on a calm day, so I had no problem with wind. It can be done.

Steve

[Maikha Ly]

Dude, that picture is absolutely stunning! Good work, and thanks for sharing it with us :)

[Jeff T]

Chris, that is an amazing shot!

Beautiful work.

I went to the Observation Deck one night to try out some night shooting, but only had luck with stationary stuff with a Tripod, I would love to get a shot like that one you posted.


Jeff.

[Jeff T]

Thanks Chris,

Yes, I don't normally take a Tripod with me, but that night I wanted to try and get some nice shots at night of some static Aircraft, using low ISO and a remote shutter button cable release, it was all experimental as I have never tried it before.

As luck would have it, there was very little Aircraft that night in good range, but I did end up getting one nice one, (in my opinion anyway), of the MD-11 UPS plane.

I'm looking forward to going again though, its a great challenge.


Jeff.

[Maikha Ly]

Hi all

Moving to the otherside of the airport from the beach, does anyone know if it's permitted and ignored if we could set up a ladder on the corner of the fence next to the bus depot near The Mound, as long as it's the suitable 3m from the fence?


Thanks!

[Mark T]

Hi Maikha

I have done this a few times (to get away from the light poles at the Mound) and I have never had a problem, as long as you are 3m back. You can get some interesting angles from there:

http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5706099

Cheers
Mark

[Mark T]

Hi Chris

This is probably a silly question. Why are you moving your photos? What has happened to A.net?

Cheers
Mark

[Maikha Ly]

Thanks Mark for the reply! :)

[Mario Facchini]

Just a heads up on access to the Foreshore drive Boatramp/rockwall.

heading south, at the moment, you will not be able to turn right into the boat ramp at the lights.

you will need to drive to the next set of lights, which is one of the entrances to port Botany, turn right and make your way back on to Foreshore drive heading north, where you can then enter the boat ramp.

There are signs advising of this detour.

Glad to see that this spot is being used already and good shots are coming from there.

Cannot wait until the northern end of the beach (and the new viewing point) is completed !!!!!