Spotting

[Donesh I.]

I was at Sydney airport on 15/06 for a bit of spotting(If I may call it that) and with the wonderful sunny weather, was able to capture some pretty good pictures which I would like to share with all you good people on this forum. This is the very first time ever that I have posted my pictures anywhere on the net, so please forgive if you notice any errors and would realy appreciate your comments. This forum means a lot to me, so here goes,

[Paul f.]

Great shots thanks for posting.

[Dave Dale]

Like them all, especially the Air Pacific 747.

[Oliver Gigacz]

Love the shots, In-fact I was in Sydney on the 15th doing some spotting as well.

[Adam.S]

Well done Donesh, they are good pictures. You were lucky to get the nice sunny weather.

Regarding the observation deck at the International Terminal;
*Is photography allowed at all times, or is it frowned upon in some cases?
(photography in Melbourne can be a bit hit-and-miss when it comes to the authorities approaching you for questions)

*How far is the nearest arrivals/departures board from the deck?

cheers

[Michael Lee]

I went to the observation deck like twice and so correct me if im wrong,
But i remember seeing a arrivals and departure screen at the deck,

For the photography, i would believe whenever the airport is open, it was designed to be used so i dont think anyone would bother you.

[Jason H]

I was at the deck on Jun06 and there are 2 screens i'm pretty sure, one on either side of that bar. Except both of them were not working/off. Apart from that, the nearest screens are allllllll the way down the stairs and inside the terminal

Also, nice photos! Air Austral looks awesome in that shot

[Gareth Forwood]

The Obs Deck is great for photography in the afternoons. I find it's best for 16R operations, but 34L is also quite good. I've been there several times, always with the camera and lenses, and I've never been bothered by security. Sometimes you'll get an odd glance from others on the deck tho ;)

[Donesh I.]

Nobody ever bothers you on the observation deck.It is a great spot with the only downside being that you are always shooting at a downward angle.

The opher fantastic spot is the staircase on the upper deck of the domestic terminal,however, once I was there for more than a couple of hours and somebody called the police. Although a very awkward moment , the ciops were so gracious and polite that I was really proud be an Australian.

Members should try this spot. When you stand with your back towards the terminal on the upper ramp, walk about 200 meters to your right. You cannot miss the steps.

[Donesh I.]

They have repaired and replaced the screens. When I visited the deck on the 15th, both showed only departures, No Arrivals. By the way, except for the Fedex MD11, the others were from Shep's mound.

[Adam.S]

Thanks for the replies, appreciate the help.

[damian f]

The other fantastic spot is the staircase on the upper deck of the domestic terminal
[snip]
Members should try this spot.

Members could try this spot - but can be moved on by SACL and be asked to leave the airport entirely - more recent correspondence between myself and SACL about photography have reiterated that (and I quote SACL...) "No spotters are permitted to film or photograph inside or outside (the) terminal 2 without completing the (photography) form or having (public liability) insurance. They are only permitted to film and photograph on the observation Deck and at the end of Ross Smith Avenue (without restriction)".

(see this thread... http://yssyforum.net/board/showthread.php?t=104)

Damian (coming for a photography visit in a couple of weeks time!!)

[Donesh I.]

Really appreciate the input re. photography in terminal 2 but what puzzles me is when the police came to question me, I asked them if I was doing anything wrong, and that I would stop if so. Thay laughed and said that it was the person who called, who was wasting their time and that I could stand there taking pictures until my legs gave way.

[Adam.S]

public liability insurance is an interesting one.

Apparently this was bought up recently at a Melbourne City train station, whereby a spotter/photographer with a tripod was asked to not use the tripod due to "public liability" as being a tripping hazard. :rolleyes:


In regards to photography airport, can the general public take photos of planes from inside Terminal 2 where the terminal halls end?
When I was last there I noticed there were inbuilt bionoculars at the waiting areas of these gates, surely photography from the same location(s) wouldn't be an issue if you are not in anyone's way or using the photos for commercial gain??

[Gareth Forwood]

If there are no signs prohibiting photography, I tend to photograph until being told by an authority (AFP, SNP or SACL staff) not to. Having said that, in over two years of photography, including many instances in and around the terminals and in clear view of airport security staff, I have never been asked to stop taking photos.

[Donesh I.]

All along the Afp were in their car just a stones throw away having their breakfast and then passed within 5 feet of me more than a couple of times.

[Sarah C]

They have repaired and replaced the screens. When I visited the deck on the 15th, both showed only departures, No Arrivals. By the way, except for the Fedex MD11, the others were from Shep's mound.

Do they just have the start SYD airport screens? On occasions, they have black and white screens only but they show full details, like aircraft rego, ETA and ATA etc. They were a little hard to read at times because of the size of the information but they were great, particularly if you had an aircraft at the gate which was obscured and you couldn't read the rego.

[damian f]

In regards to photography airport, can the general public take photos of planes from inside Terminal 2 where the terminal halls end?

According to SACL... NO!!! (not without approval by filling in forms and providing your public liability insurance.)

Damian

[Jaryd stock]

About year ago when i was there taking photos at the stair case i had a taxi driver of all people come up and ask what i was doing,I told him im taking photos and he said i should move on.I told him to do something else which if I typed in what was said,I dont think I would be aloud to contribute to this forum anymore.Anyways 5 mins later,a afp officer asked what i was doing,I told him he said that was fine no worries as long as im not taking photos of any infurstructer i could stay there for as long as i wanted.

[Greg McDonald]

Woohoo....spotters: 1 , cabbies: nil