A frequent question I receive is “what do you look for in a photo to use for a commission of a custom aircraft painting”? Following are a few tips that I hope will help you select or shoot the perfect photos for this purpose.

Focus

First and foremost is the aircraft in focus. A sharply focused photo allows me to zoom in and see details as I paint.

The best way to get a sharply focused photo is to stand still when taking it.

Light

I work with photos that show light and shadow (taken on sunny days) and also with those that are taken on low light days (overcast). Both can result in beautiful paintings, so I am not focused on one or the other.

When shooting when there is sunlight, be sure to capture both sides of the aircraft - the light side and the shadow side. Often the shadow side has the most beautiful color as bright light washes the color out.

Aircraft Views

Take lots of shots! Walk all around the aircraft. The shots below were taken quickly - I didn’t have much time as someone was waiting for me. I started on the left side and moved all around, taking pictures at the nose, front quarters, sides, rear quarters, and tail.

For some aircraft such as the Cirrus SR22, a shot from down low is very powerful. Keep this in mind as you go around and squat low to take a few photos (if your knees are up to it).

Fill the frame with the aircraft (but be sure the wingtips are in the shot). If possible, don’t use your camera zoom, walk closer. This will result in a sharper photo.

Wings

Be sure both wings are in the photo. Unless the painting is of a profile, a one-winged airplane looks odd and it is difficult to create a pleasing composition.

Background

The background is not important. When I paint an aircraft, the background is a secondary subject- it will be beautiful, but not the primary subject of the painting.

Cameras

What is the best camera to use? The one you have with you! Seriously, although I often shoot with a high-end DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera) and lenses, I know that most of us use smartphones. These photos are fine. If you do have a DSLR - .raw is my preferred format.

Aerials

Photos of aircraft in flight are great! I love painting skies and these photos usually give the perfect opportunity to do that.

Commissioning a Custom Aircraft Painting

If you would like more information about commissioning a custom aircraft painting, send photos to Barbara@PlaneAirArt.com. I’ll return pricing and other information about the process. A great gift for pilots or to decorate your own office or home!

Thanks for reading and I hope to work with you soon - Barbara