Photography Settings

Photographing RIAT: The Complete Practical Guide

A beginner to semi-pro aviation photography guide

​

Photographing the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is one of the most rewarding experiences in aviation photography. It also presents unique challenges, including fast-moving aircraft, constantly changing light, and busy crowd environments.

​

This guide is designed to help you get the best possible results, whether you’re attending RIAT for the first time or looking to refine your technique. It is split into two sections:

• Beginner Guide – building solid foundations and confidence

• Semi-Pro Guide – improving consistency, creativity, and storytelling

At the end, you’ll also find tailored advice for Campers, FRIAT guests, and Park & View visitors.

​​​

Beginner Guide: Getting Started at RIAT

Gear Recommendations

You do not need the most expensive equipment to photograph RIAT successfully. Reliability, reach, and preparation are far more important.

Camera Body

• DSLR or mirrorless camera with:

  • Fast autofocus

  • A good burst rate (7 fps or higher recommended)

• If you own two camera bodies, bring both. One can be used as a backup or to avoid frequent lens changes.

Lenses

• Telephoto lens (essential):

  • 100–400mm, 200–500mm, or 150–600mm

  • Used for flying displays and airborne aircraft

• Wide-angle or standard zoom:

  • 16–35mm or 24–70mm

  • Ideal for static displays, crowds, and environmental shots

Essential Extras

• Spare batteries and memory cards

• Lens hood to reduce glare and contrast loss

• Comfortable camera bag or backpack

• Monopod (optional, but useful with heavier lenses)

​

Camera Settings for Flying Aircraft

Camera Mode

• Shutter Priority (Tv / S) or Manual

Shutter Speed

• Jets, cargo aircraft, and large fast aircraft:

  • 1/1000 to 1/2000 sec (to freeze motion)

• Propeller aircraft and helicopters:

  • 1/125 to 1/320 sec (to allow realistic propeller blur)

Aperture

• f/8 is a strong starting point for sharpness and depth of field

• Adjust as lighting conditions change

ISO

• Auto ISO is very effective for beginners

• Alternatively, adjust manually depending on available light

Autofocus

• Continuous autofocus (AI Servo / AF-C)

• Use centre or small focus areas for better tracking

Drive Mode

• High-speed burst shooting

Static Displays

Static aircraft allow more time to slow down and focus on composition.

Recommended Settings

• Aperture Priority (Av / A) or Manual for full control

• Lower ISO for best image quality

• Monitor shutter speed as light conditions change

What to Photograph

• Full aircraft profiles

• Nose art, squadron badges, and markings

• Cockpit details and reflections

• Pilot interactions and ground crew activity

Lighting and Timing

Light plays a major role in aviation photography.

• Early morning and late afternoon provide the best light

• Midday sun can be harsh; use clouds and shadows creatively

• Position yourself with the sun behind you where possible

• At RIAT, flying displays are generally photographed facing north, which helps maintain favourable lighting throughout the day

Positioning and Planning at RIAT

• Arrive early to secure a good position along the flight line

• Move around the airfield during the day to vary angles

• Aircraft usually take off and land into the wind

• Runway 27 is commonly used

• Photographer enclosures such as FRIAT and areas near the Viewing Village offer improved sightlines and fewer obstructions

Beginner Tips

• Practice tracking moving subjects before RIAT (cars or birds are ideal)

• Use panning techniques to add motion to propeller aircraft

• Avoid reviewing every burst immediately; keep shooting

• Include crowds, aircraft on the ground, and airfield features for context

• Take more photos than you think you need to improve your keeper rate

​

​

Semi-Pro Guide: Refining Your RIAT Photography

Once you are confident capturing sharp images, the focus shifts to consistency, creativity, and storytelling.

Advanced Camera Control

Many experienced photographers prefer full Manual mode at RIAT.

Benefits of Manual Mode

• Consistent exposure across bursts

• Better control when aircraft pass between bright sky and darker backgrounds

• Predictable results during complex displays

Advanced Techniques

• Match shutter speed precisely to aircraft type

• Adjust aperture based on lighting rather than habit

• Control ISO manually in stable conditions

Back-Button Focusing

• Separates autofocus from the shutter button

• Improves tracking accuracy

• Reduces missed focus during high-speed passes

Panning for Dynamic Motion

Panning adds energy and realism to aviation images.

• Use slower shutter speeds for propeller aircraft and helicopters

• Rotate from the hips rather than just the arms

• Start tracking early, shoot through the pass, and follow through

• Expect a lower success rate. This is normal with panning

Composition and Angles

Avoid shooting every aircraft side-on.

• Banked passes reveal aircraft shape and markings

• Vertical climbs and topside passes add drama

• Formation spacing and timing are critical

RIAT Location Highlights

• East end of the airfield:

  • Excellent for take-off shots

  • Ideal for afterburners and heavy departures

• West end near the Viewing Village:

  • Strong angles for underside shots

  • Excellent for rotation and climb-out images

Walk the airfield and plan angles ahead of time.

Stabilisation and Consistency

• Use monopods or tripods where permitted

• Enable lens stabilisation if available

• Shoot longer bursts to improve hit rate

• Take breaks to avoid fatigue affecting sharpness

White Balance and Colour

• Use Sunny, Cloudy, or Auto white balance

• Test settings early in the day

• Consistency across a series is more important than perfection

• Shooting RAW allows for easier correction later

Storytelling at RIAT

Strong images capture more than just aircraft.

Include:

• Crowds reacting to displays

• Taxiing aircraft near spectators

• Pilots waving or climbing into cockpits

• Control towers, flags, weather, and atmosphere

These details elevate a gallery and create a complete RIAT story.

Tailored Advice for RIAT Visitor Types

RIAT Campers

Camping provides unique photographic opportunities.

• Capture aircraft arrivals, departures, and atmosphere outside show hours

• Expect longer walking distances; plan lens choices accordingly

• Dew and moisture are common in the morning. Protect your gear ( I made that mistake and for a few hours, I had some condensation in the lens) 

• Use wider lenses for for formations, at least you should fit all the aircraft in. A 24-70mm would be perfect. 

FRIAT Guests

FRIAT offers some of the best photography access at RIAT.

• Cleaner sightlines and fewer crowd obstructions

• Strong angles for airborne and taxi shots

• Ideal for longer lenses and tighter compositions

• Plan your position early as space is still limited

• Use the quieter environment to experiment with slower shutter speeds and panning

Park & View Guests

Park & View areas provide excellent value and flexibility.

• Fantastic for take-off and landing shots

• Ideal for rotation, climb-out, and underside views

• Aircraft are often closer during departures

• Bring longer focal lengths where possible

• Be mindful of fencing and obstructions when choosing angles

Final Thoughts

RIAT rewards preparation, patience, and adaptability. Every year brings different aircraft, weather, and challenges. Whether you are attending for the first time or refining your skills, focus on learning, experimenting, and enjoying the experience.

A successful RIAT photography trip is not just about the sharpest image, but about capturing the atmosphere of the world’s greatest military airshow.