First Spotting Experience

**Mike** · 2005-08-14, 05:32 PM

Last Saturday I went spotting for the first time. After some drama with finding the correct place, I met up with Brian, Josh, and some others at Planeview Park near LGA. I had a wonderful time meeting up with them and experiencing the whole spotting thing. I'd always loved looking at planes (I know like nothing about them though =P), but I never knew there was a hobby surrounding it until I met Phil. So, much thanks to him. ;) Brian and Josh were trying to teach me what kinds of planes I was seeing, but I'm still far from being able to recognize the difference between a 747 and a 737. :-P But, it was a lot of fun and pretty amazing to see the planes fly so close.

I posted a bunch of the pictures I took at http://spotting.sector001.org/. I'd love some suggestions for improvement and all since I'm kind of new to all this. I hope everyone enjoys the pictures. :)

**UrbanExplorer222** · 2005-08-16, 01:00 AM

first time is always the best time. Most of your pictures looked pretty good, what kind of camera are you using? The only suggestion i would havve for you is....watch out for those trees!!! ;) Otherwise welcome to the crazy world of spotting!!!

**Mike** · 2005-08-16, 01:42 AM

Thanks. :) It's a Kodak DX6490. I don't have any special lenses or anything for it, though.
Yeah, in some of the shots I kind of liked the trees but mostly they were in the way. The planes went by so fast, it was crazy (though I'm sure you're used to that by now =P). ;)

**PhilDernerJr** · 2005-08-16, 01:45 AM

Mike, I liked your shots. It really looks like you were planning out your shots going for certain angles and not jsut pressing the button.

Next time you come up, I want you to play with my camera a bit, see how much fun you have with it.

**Mike** · 2005-08-16, 02:45 AM

Thanks! Yeah, I tried to do a bit of different angles and stuff.

I'd love that! I can't imagine how awesome it'd be to zoom in that close and all! :-D

**jakbar** · 2005-08-16, 10:33 AM

Mike, it was great having you out there with us. As you no doubt gathered, spotting is as much about being out with friends and having a good time as it is snapping pictures of the planes. Next time you come up, you should also give my camera a try so you can give us all an objective report on Canon (Phil) vs. Nikon (me) cameras. :) Next time hopefully you can stay a bit longer, too, so you can do one of the (in)famous "Futterman-esque" 5am to 10pm spotting days.

I have that picture that I took of you (taking a picture of a plane) that morning. Which e-mail address shall I send it to?

Josh

**Mike** · 2005-08-16, 03:37 PM

Thanks, I had a wonderful time with everyone. Definitely a lot of fun to just hang out. :) That'd be great! I'm sure I'll be so amazed by both of them though that I won't see any difference. :-P
Haha, yeah, those 5am to 10pm spotting days sound awesome. I really hope to be able to come up again soon. :)

Oh, right! You can e-mail it to [email protected], thanks! I want to see how much of a dork I look. :-P