Dirty Windows, or Commercial Airline Photography

December 18, 2012 • Leave a Comment

Dirty and scratched plastic airplane window of a commercial airliner at sunset. Commercial Airliner Photography

There are so many reasons not to take photos while on commercial flights. Everybody tells you how dirty and scratched up the windows are and they're right. There are thousands of people flying taking photos, making it very difficult to end up with something unique. The stock photo agencies clearly spell it out they're not interested because the quality just can't be there through the scratched up dirty color distorting plastic.

Yet, I have not gotten tired of doing just that yet. There's something magical about being above the clouds. And since I do not climb high peaks every day the flights provide a great opportunity. And since I do not fly every day I always have the itch to lift up the camera and snap a few photos. And being on a flight at sunrise or sunset just further elevates the experience.

So to heck with dirt, and scratches, and thousands of other photos, ... these are my photos reflecting my experience!

Clouds and remaining sunlight through a dirty and scratched plastic airplane window of a commercial airliner. Commercial Airliner Photography

On a recent flight to Florida, I found myself above clouds just as the sun headed down by luck, no planning for that involved. I also happened to be on the right side of the plane (well, this time the right side was the left side). At first, I was just looking out enjoying a scene seen many times before. But as the clouds started rolling around in varying formations and the sun was lower and lower, I could not resist!

To heck with dirt, and scratches, and thousands of other photos, this is what I am seeing and experiencing!

Clouds and sunset colors through a dirty and scratched plastic airplane window of a commercial airliner. Commercial Airliner Photography

Here, I really liked the light peeking from behind clouds that the plane was about to submerge into.

Wild colorful sunset through a dirty and scratched plastic airplane window of a commercial airliner. Commercial Airliner Photography

And here, the sun went crazy and flooded the sky with quite a dose of color!

Oh, and from my experience, this is one time when you should not reach for the polarizer. Not only does it rob you of light, it also created weird color effects combined with the thick airplane windows.

Have fun doing what you like doing no matter what others tell you!

Keywords: above clouds, airline, airliner, airplane, commercial, depth of field, dirty window, filter, out of focus, photography, plane, polarizer, polarizing filter, scratched window, shallow, shallow DOF, sunset, window, window dirt

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Dirty Windows, or Commercial Airline Photography

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