RIAT Photography Explained: What, Where & When

"Welcome to our air show photography guide! Here, you’ll find practical tips to help you capture stunning shots at these incredible events. Whether you're new to photography or looking to refine your technique, this guide will walk you through the best places to go for different shooting angles, which enclosures are worth booking, and what options like the Village Viewing Area or FRIAT can offer

Where to Photograph?

Arrivals

Every year, aviation enthusiasts have the unique opportunity to photograph all the aircraft as they arrive in the UK for flying and static displays. The Air Tattoo offers a unique advantage for photographers, as display aircraft will take off and land multiple times throughout the weekend. This provides opportunities to capture the perfect shot from multiple locations, giving you scope to capture an array of different shots, angles and back grounds across your visit.

Where to visit.

Park and View East and West are official viewing areas designed specifically for enthusiasts and photographers. Both locations offer clear views of aircraft approaching or departing the runway, with angles that vary depending on runway direction and lighting. These areas are ideal if you want reliable access and predictable sightlines. For more detail, visit our in-depth dedicated Park and View guides.

A View from Park and View East

A View from Park and View West

Campsites

Campsites can offer some of the most exciting and immersive photography opportunities. Locations such as Townsend Farm place you extremely close to the flight path, allowing for dramatic underbelly shots on approach and powerful side-on images during departures. The exact perspective will depend on which field you’re in, but this variety is part of what makes campsite photography so appealing. As these view you will not be able to see from the display line. Tickets/Reservations will need to be made when attending the site, and this is for all sites. Fairford Air show Camping does offer a Park and View field, where can find it HERE.

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A View from Fairford Air Show Camping in the Rainbow Field.

Flyby Camping is another popular option for photographers, known for its close proximity to aircraft movements and relaxed atmosphere. It’s particularly well suited to capturing arrivals and departures at lower altitudes, making it a great choice for arrivals, however just be aware that if the suns out, you will be shooting in to the sun for most arrivals.

An example of a low level F16, from the edge of the Flyby Campsite

Totterdown Hill has many advantages, firstly its location, and secondly its views over looking the airfield. This gives a great view of aircraft flying over head, of display teams, fast jets and helicopters hovering low overhead.

Conclusion on Arrivals

I would personally say that these are among the best places to view arrivals. They offer excellent access and clear views of the aircraft, along with a variety of photography opportunities. Whether you’re watching casually or capturing detailed shots, these locations deliver a rewarding arrival experience.

TOP TIP, Please remember that these campsites offer fantastic viewing options, but this can change depending on wind direction. Runway 27 is the preferred choice, and ATC will use it as much as possible. Even if the wind is not in there favour. This can also be effected on aircraft limitations, and will be using Runway 09 instead.

Rehearsals

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT will showcase a remarkable array of international assets, all of which must secure Public Display Authority (PDA) to ensure their safety for aerial displays in the UK. This presents a unique opportunity to preview the exciting performances scheduled for the weekend. Photographers should pay close attention to the manoeuvres and captivating angles that stand out, as these moments can create stunning visual memories. Don't miss the chance to capture the thrill of aviation at its finest!

It’s essential to keep a mental note of the manoeuvres aircraft will perform during the main show days. Visualizing these actions from various angles can significantly enhance your preparation, ensuring you’re ready to capture those perfect moments. We’ve all felt the disappointment of missing a shot, but with a little foresight, you can minimize those missed opportunities.

Same for Arrivals, I would check out all the park and view options and locals campsites, giving you spectacular views of aircraft rehearsing for there displays.

Spanish Harrier on a rehearsal display.

RAF Red Arrow rehearsing, over Townsend Farm

Main Display Days

Experience an unforgettable weekend at RAF Fairford, where over 20 hours of thrilling flying displays await you on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Witness some of the world's best display teams, cutting-edge fast jets, and beautifully maintained vintage aircraft and warbirds take to the skies. With the unique opportunity to photograph aircraft both on the ground and in the air, you'll find a variety of stunning shots along the iconic 2.5-mile crowd line. Each vantage point offers a distinct perspective, ensuring a memorable day for all aviation enthusiasts.

The crowd centre point is undoubtedly the most sought-after spot, attracting a large number of spectators. If you're aiming to capture stunning photos from this location, it's best to arrive early to secure your place for the day. This is the focal point for all displays, where aircraft will line up for their manoeuvres and execute head-on passes. For the most impressive optical illusion effects, this is the ideal vantage point to be!

Watch solo aircraft displays as they fly along the entire display line, giving you more chances to see them up close. Many of the manoeuvres will focus on this area, so you'll enjoy more passes and time with the planes. Use the crowd's excitement to make the displays even better. For example, the Red Arrows will come in from behind the crowd, which is a great opportunity to get low and involve everyone, making the event even more exciting (See below images from main display days)

At RIAT, they provide many enclosures, of course they are all at an extra cost. I'm going to focus on just two. FRIAT and The Viewing Village, as they are more designed for photographers. You can take your photography gear in the other enclosers however, they are more designed for viewing and corporate styling.

FRIAT Grand Stand

This really is a photographer’s playground. An elevated grandstand paired with dedicated photography zones gives you clean sightlines over the crowd and straight into the action. Add private food vendors and proper private loos, and you have a space designed for long, comfortable shooting days. Its centre-showground location is a dream for display team passes and perfectly timed breaks, with excellent opportunities for take-off shots, topside angles, and dramatic pyrotechnic captures.

Pros

Elevated grandstand delivers unobstructed views across the runway and display box
Dedicated photography areas mean fewer distractions and more freedom to work your angles
Prime central location for head-on passes, crossovers, and formation displays
Excellent for action shots, including take-offs, topsides, and pyro moments
Private catering reduces queues and lost shooting time
Private toilets keep comfort levels high during busy show periods
Ideal base for spending the whole day without constantly relocating

Cons

Premium access means higher cost compared to general enclosures
Popularity with photographers can still lead to busy shooting areas at peak moments
Central positioning limits variety for departure angles compared to runway ends
Less flexibility if you enjoy roaming the entire airfield for different perspectives

Overall:
FRIAT is about quality over compromise. If photography is your main mission and you want comfort, consistency, and strong angles all day long, this enclosure delivers a polished, professional-feeling experience that’s hard to beat

Viewing Village and Grandstand

As of 2025, the Viewing Village sits right next to the FRIAT enclosure, placing it firmly at the heart of the display line. This makes it a far more cost effective way to enjoy a central showground position, without stepping all the way up to FRIAT pricing. One of its standout features is the village garden area located directly in front of the enclosure, offering a relaxed, open space with room to breathe. With limited ticket numbers, it never feels overly crowded, giving you plenty of freedom to move around throughout the day.

The Viewing Village shares several premium style benefits, including private toilets and private food vendors. A grandstand seat is also available, though this must be selected as a paid upgrade when purchasing your Viewing Village ticket.

Pros

Central display line location right beside FRIAT, ideal for display teams and centre passes
More affordable than FRIAT while still delivering a premium style experience
Village garden area provides open space, flexibility, and a relaxed viewing atmosphere
Limited ticket numbers mean less crowding and easier movement
Private toilets improve comfort during busy show periods
Private food vendors reduce queue times and improve overall flow
Optional grandstand upgrade gives elevated views without committing to full FRIAT access
Great balance between comfort, access, and value

Cons

Grandstand seating is not included and must be paid for separately
Lower elevation overall compared to the dedicated FRIAT grandstand
Slightly fewer dedicated photography focused areas than FRIAT
Central position limits runway end perspectives for arrivals and departures
Less exclusive feel if you’re specifically after a photographers only environment

Overall:
The Viewing Village is a strong middle ground. It offers many of the comforts and central viewing advantages of FRIAT, but at a more accessible price point. If you want space, comfort, and excellent display-line views without fully committing to a premium enclosure, the Viewing Village is a smart and well-balanced choice.

Departure Day

Departure Day at RAF Fairford

Departure Day takes place on the Monday after the air show weekend and, quietly, it’s one of RIAT’s best-kept open secrets. This is when military and civilian aircraft begin heading home, and while it’s not an air show in the traditional sense, the sheer volume of movements and the freedom crews often have makes it a goldmine for enthusiasts and photographers alike.

Aircraft usually start departing early, typically around 7:30–8:00 AM, and movements continue steadily throughout the day. The busiest periods are generally the morning and early afternoon, with 200+ aircraft departing and take-offs happening every few minutes. There’s no formal display schedule, but enthusiasts often share rough movement lists on forums and social media, which helps you plan your positioning.

For anyone visiting, the single best and most up-to-date resource is The Big Guide to RIAT Departure Day:
👉 https://www.thebigguidetoriat.co.uk/departureday

All current access details, enclosure info, and practical tips are covered there.

Entry & Practical Info

On-the-gate price has historically been around £30 (this was the case in 2025)
Entry gives you access to the airfield viewing areas, where the real action happens
A step-ladder enclosure is available, allowing elevated shooting over the fence. Full details are explained in the link above

East vs West End: Where Should You Go?

Where you choose to stand on Departure Day really does shape the kind of experience you’ll have. Both ends of the runway offer strong viewing, but in different ways. It’s less about right or wrong, and more about what kind of movements and shots you’re after.

East End

Advantages

Taxiway runs directly in front of the viewing area, keeping you close to aircraft as they move out to depart
Excellent for afterburning take-offs, particularly from fast jets
Strong opportunities for wing waves and crew interaction while aircraft taxi past
Regular support aircraft arrivals, including tankers and transports
Known for unexpected arrivals, such as aircraft unable to enter certain airspace
- Examples include Spanish Typhoons in 2025 and the F-4 Phantom in 2024
A dedicated step-ladder viewing area, making it very photographer-friendly
Constant sense of activity, especially during peak periods

Disadvantages

Can feel busy and crowded, particularly when departure waves build up
Less space once multiple ladders are set up
Not ideal if you prefer a quieter, slower-paced viewing style

West End

Advantages

Taxiway also runs directly in front of you, so you’re still very close to the action
Aircraft often fly lower for longer once airborne, creating excellent wing-wave and rotation shots
Fantastic for large and heavy aircraft, which can stay low before climbing away
Some aircraft will depart from the west using Runway 09, when wind speed and take-off performance allow
Dedicated step-ladder viewing area, just like the East End
Generally more relaxed, with more room to settle in and work a sequence

Disadvantages

Can feel quiet at times, as a large share of movements often happen from the East End
Fewer surprise arrivals compared to the east
If runway usage switches away from 09, action can slow down noticeably

In Simple Terms

The East End is about energy, variety, and constant movement. If you want taxi shots, afterburners, arrivals, and plenty happening all at once, this is where you’ll feel most engaged.

The West End trades volume for quality moments. When aircraft depart from this end, they often stay lower for longer, giving photographers some of the best wing-wave opportunities of the day, but you do need patience if movements thin out.

Both ends work extremely well, and both cater properly for photographers with step-ladder areas. Many regulars move between them as runway use and traffic flow change, but if you’re picking one spot, this should help you choose the experience that suits you best

All images below are taken from Park and View West, showing the type of shots you could capture.

Why Departure Day Is Special

Departure Day strips away the polish and replaces it with personality. Aircraft leave in national markings you may never see again, crews are relaxed, and movements come thick and fast. If you enjoy aviation at its most authentic and unpredictable, this is the day that quietly steals the show.

If you’re planning to attend, bookmark this page first:

https://www.thebigguidetoriat.co.uk/departureday
It’s the definitive guide and the best place to see exactly how to get the most from one of RIAT’s most rewarding days.

Photographing Static Aircraft

RIAT offers a static aircraft line up on an airbase like no other, and you really should take the time to make the most of it. This is your chance to capture images you may never get the opportunity to photograph again. In this section, I want to focus on pushing your photographic boundaries and capturing shots you might not even realise are possible.

Every year, I challenge myself by asking a simple question: what can I capture that’s different, or that others might walk straight past? For me, the weather plays a huge part in that. I know most people love a bright blue sky and dry conditions, but this is where I’m different. I absolutely love photographing static aircraft when the weather turns dark, wet, and moody.

I always go by this saying "Work with the weather and not against it"

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy blue skies too, but my style doesn’t depend on perfect conditions. Instead, I adapt my photography to whatever the weather gives me. I see it as my best friend, not an obstacle. I always say: work with the weather, not against it.

Now, let’s look at how you can move away from the standard, side-on static shots and start creating images that feel different, more dramatic, and far from boring.

Angles & Composition

Angles can make all the difference when photographing static aircraft. Sometimes it’s as simple as getting down low. Kneeling or crouching can instantly give you a more interesting view, like in the examples below. It changes how the aircraft looks, especially depending on its size, what’s in the background, and how wide your lens is.

That’s the beauty of photography. Composition is everything when it comes to creating a strong image. By lowering yourself to the ground, you can give the aircraft a completely different perspective and turn an otherwise ordinary shot into something that stands out.

Below are a few examples of images taken from a crouched position to show how much of a difference a small change in angle can make.

Getting Creative

The wonderful thing about photography is that it is art. So get creative with your gear. Don’t just point and shoot. Think about the image that will stand out from the rest. Push yourself. Explore your potential, your equipment, and really study the static aircraft at RIAT. These airframes offer time, access, and detail that you rarely get in the air, so use that opportunity to your advantage.

Capture moments you might never get again, especially with aircraft that are nearing retirement, where RIAT could be one of the last chances to see them up close. Walk around them, study the lines, markings, weathering, and reflections. Look for angles and details that tell a story beyond the obvious. I like to zoom in to the aircraft, using the unique shapes, to create that different shot. If you cant fit all the aircraft in the frame, then crop it. Create your own rules in photography. these often create very different images. I'm not saying my statics are perfect, however be different. Even when it comes to editing. Create your own style, I love dark, moody and high detail images. Really use the clouds and darker skies to your advantage.

Train yourself to open your photographer’s eye. Slow down, observe, and frame with intent.

And this approach doesn’t stop when the weather turns. Even when it rains, there are creative opportunities waiting to be found, as explored in the section below

Weather is your friend, not your enemy!

What do i mean by that? Well Let me explain in more detail. Lots of photographers moan about the weather at RIAT, Dark Clouds Rain, Low Light etc. Okay yes we all love a blue sky, but get creative. If you treat all weather as your enemy, it will bight you. Love it, use it, work with it. Taking into account that your have weather proofing equipment if it rains for example. To many photographers put there camera's away when the water starts flowing. Mine stays out and I get these results. As shown below; They are not perfect but It gives you an idea on changing a mind set.

I hope these examples can give you an idea on how to use the weather conditions as your friend. Of course a Dull grey sky isn't great, and personally, I really don't like it. However, if there are some darker clouds in the mix, images can get interesting. Of course all this is my opinion, but I changed my outlook on this, It took me a few years of practice until I saw an opportunity and changed my style.

If you are going to shoot in the rain please remember to protect your camera and lenses with a waterproof cover. Water in your gear doesn't end well and you could affect your time at RIAT.

What can I photograph is when the weather turns?

Reflections are a great start
Rain on static aircraft, this gives a dramatic affect on canopies, props etc.
Afterburner Spray, Make sure you know here to stand and plan these type of shots. Generally at the EAST end of the airfield.
Panning Shots. Slow the shutter speeds, this will take time but its worth it.
Fluff, Jets create fluff over the wings, given you another creative flare.