Wednesday, July 7, 2010

De plane! Boss!

I live very close to a major international airport,
so everyday we hear or see airplanes flying overhead.
I've had it in my head for a while that I would like to take some pictures of them as they fly by but I wondered if there was some post 9-11 rule against that
After some research, I found a website that not only assured me that it was okay, but then offered all sorts of advice about where and when to get these shots at the various airports.


Of course I didn't take their advice at first.  
Instead, on a Sunday afternoon, I sat inside my van in an empty post office parking lot,
too afraid to step out of the car, so I rolled down the window and took several shots.

It was weird.
I felt like a creepy plane stalker.

Either no one noticed me, or no one cared
(and that was fine with me),
but I decided to try another spot just at the end of the landing strip.

Here I was joined by three or four other cars 
all lined up along the side of the road,
just watching the planes come in or taking pictures. 

So I felt a bit more comfortable.

Still, I didn't want to stay too long.
I had a feeling that the police might not like everyone lined up along the side of the road.

But I'm happy that I got out of the house and a little out of my comfort zone.
That was fun.



16 comments:

Grammie/Mom said...

This is a fresh idea. I thought I was going to read that a certain someone was going to be on one of them!

Alyssa S. said...

HA, you know if I'd stopped to do the same, I'm not sure that concern would have even crossed my mind! What a fun photographing session. You got some great shots. We live about 20 minutes away from Intercontinental in Houston. I should try to get some shots sometime.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Awesome shots! The second one in particular is stunning! You have captured so much detail of each plane in flight!

jabblog said...

I love the shot from the end of the runway - splendid :-)

Kate said...

The sky looks really neat in the last 2 pictures from the end of the runway.

Alita said...

Oooooh!!! My very favorite is where the grass meets the sky and the plane flying low. A-d-o-r-e!!!

My hubby has an obsession with planes. He can name make and models. He is infectious. So I kinda like planes, too. ;)

Kerry said...

You know I bet there are airports where a photographer might get questioned; it's that kind of world now isn't it?
I think my favorite shot is the last one, with the plane heading away, because it seems to be telling a story.

Suburban Girl said...

Good for you. I am 100% behind you getting out of the comfort zone - something I have to do too - and taking a little risk? I always think what is the worst that could happen and is it worth the shot. It is typically worth the shot. You got some great shots too.

Unknown said...

I hadn't even thought that it might be a bad idea. I remember parking at our local airport as a kid to watch the planes coming and going. Great shots!

EG CameraGirl said...

Fun shots, Colleen. Watching planes takeoff and land is a hobby for some people. Looks like taking photos of them could be too. :)

terri browne said...

Ah yes, those pictures look very familiar! We live practically at the end of the runway of the MSP airport, so jets are flying right over our roof all the time. Great pics!

Unknown said...

awesome shots. airplanes are mesmerizing. we have a look out spot here by our airport where you can watch the planes take off and land. I remember taking pics about a year ago there. never thought about any rules or security of it all.

Tia Colleen said...

Sometimes the planes fly so closely over our house, that I *swear* they're about to crash and take out our roof.

Those are great pictures.

Plane stalker. ;)

Carletta said...

I think you got some great shots!
For me, I figure if I'm standing out in the open taking pics I'm not trying to hide anything. :)

Laura @ The Things I Said I'd Never Do said...

For as much as I hate to fly, I am fascinated by airplanes landing and taking off. I wish my local airport had a place where I could sit and them all day.

Unknown said...

these are lovely shots!