The arrival of Lufthansa’s first Dreamliner in Bremen presented a unique opportunity for pilot, air traffic controller and aviation photographer Sebastian Thoma. Here, in his own words, he shares some of the logistical preparations behind an incredible air-to-air helicopter shoot.
Aviation photography might seem straightforward, but capturing the best images isn’t always easy. Even if you know that an interesting aircraft is on its way, weather and light conditions can be unpredictable. As if shooting on the ground wasn’t challenging enough, things get even more complex when you take your camera into the skies. Aerial shots can be obtained via an open-door helicopter, literally bringing aviation photography to the next level, and offering a range of unique perspectives.
While air-to-air shoots are incredibly interesting, they require a huge amount of pre-planning. Helicopters can be expensive, but as drones are not allowed to fly near airports – for plenty of very good reasons – taking to a rotorcraft is often the only way to get high-quality images from above.
