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PREMIUM CONTENT/BEHIND THE LENS

Emil Cooper
Having visited RAAF Base Amberley countless times over the years, June 2020 would be the first time I’ve ventured out for night operations. With up to a dozen fast jets departing shortly after sunset, some patchy clouds and a fiery sunset provided for a stunning backdrop.
A very lucky catch for me in November last year as the first of three 10 Tanker Air Carrier DC-10s arrived into Australia for the upcoming bushfire season. Following a lengthy delay, N17085 touched down at RAAF Base Richmond early in the morning whilst I was on holiday in the area.
One of my favourite spotting experiences to date and my first air-to-air photoshoot. COVID-19 has given Brisbane some unique visitors from across the world. With South African Airways scheduled to operate a one-off A340-600 service into Brisbane, I managed to organise a last-minute helicopter flight overhead Brisbane Airport to catch their historic arrival.
One of my first images taken just after purchasing my first full frame camera, the Canon 5D Mark IV. Normally an extremely dark part of Brisbane Airport, construction lighting as part of the new parallel runway provided an excellent lighting source, casting strong shadows across the aircraft.
Three colourful Japanese RF-4 Phantom II’s arriving into Hyakuri after completing their morning display. These aircraft were retired four months after taking these images, 46 years after initially entering into service with the JASDF
An exceptionally rare aircraft to see in Australia, with this WC-135 ‘nuke sniffer’ operating out of RAAF Base Amberley in late 2019. Fitted with four TF33 engines, it provided for a smoky departure on its sortie to destinations unknown.
A Maine-based KC-135 with the 132nd Air Refueling Squadron parked up at Brisbane Airport. Crazy to think that after 61 years, this aircraft is still soldiering on and will continue to do so for many years to come
Watching a C-17 fly low-level through the Brisbane CBD is one of the greatest highlights from the yearly Riverfire display. In 2019, I was fortunate to be able to photograph from one of Brisbane’s numerous skyscrapers. Situated 135 metres above the ground, it really shows how low the RAAF crew were as they flew down the Brisbane River.
One of the more unique looking aircraft I’ve shot is this Kawasaki EC-1, an electronic warfare training aircraft. After an unsuccessful start to the morning at Yokota Air Base, JASDF Iruma proved much more rewarding with numerous indigenous Japanese designed aircraft out and about.
Japan is a spotter’s dream with almost every airport featuring an observation deck on top of the terminal. Compared with domestic travel back home in Australia, the vast majority of short-haul routes in Japan are served by wide-body aircraft, with JA614A taxiing out at Tokyo Haneda with the ground crew waving her off.
Exercise Talisman Sabre always provides a lot of excitement for spotters in Queensland with a variety of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft based throughout the state. Brisbane Airport hosted a number of KC-10A Extenders throughout last year’s exercise, with ‘Reach 22’ seen here arriving from Guam
Chasing different angles, shooting at night directly underneath the centreline of RWY01R proved extremely challenging. Beacon shots have always been a challenge for me to catch at night so it was fantastic to catch one from this perspective.
Another first for me in 2019, catching my first E-3 Sentry during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. As the first departure each morning, we were treated to fantastic lighting with the smoke trail extending for kilometres after the aircraft.
One of the coolest paint schemes I’ve captured while spotting was this Embraer E2 on a demonstration tour throughout Asia and Oceania. Parked up on the logistics apron at Brisbane Airport provided a perfect angle to shoot from.
Virgin Australia’s final ERJ-190 service touching down at Brisbane Airport in dreary conditions. This was my first ever published photo, appearing in the March 2018 edition of Australian Aviation.
Always trying to push myself with photography, this was my first time experimenting with long exposure photo stacking. Taken over the course of 40 minutes, extensive editing was required as the aircraft rose over time as passengers and cargo were unloaded.
The Blue Impulse aerobatic demonstration team levelling out of a loop with smoke on. Unfortunately only five of the six aircraft took part after No. 3 aborted after lining up on the runway. Nonetheless, the 40-minute display was absolutely breathtaking to say the least
In the lead up to the 2019 Edinburgh Air Show, No. 1 SQN preformed a series of practice displays overhead RAAF Base Amberley. Seen here is A44-211 lighting the burners after a low missed approach on RWY15.
The friendly crew from 301 Hikotai waving to the crowd as they taxi back to the apron after a weather reconnaissance flight onboard their F-4EJ Kai. Compared with other fast jets, the Japanese Phantoms are covered with markings on every panel and sensor across the entire aircraft.
A pair of F-22 Raptors on the initial and pitch during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019. Was wonderful to have 11 based at RAAF Base Amberley for the duration of the exercise

Through The Lens

Emil Cooper

1. How did you get into aviation photography?

i.e. Where did the passion come from and how long has it been an interest?
It seems like I have been into aviation my entire life, having been fascinated with flying from a young age. Originally picking up my first camera in late-2013, I started out shooting video for YouTube before gradually shifting over to photography. On boxing day 2016 I purchased my first DSLR — a Canon 80D with a basic 18-55mm kit lens — solidifying myself with photography over videography. As time went by my spotting trips became more regular, venturing out to new airports and travelling interstate to photograph aircraft.

2. Why aviation photography?

i.e. What do you get the biggest enjoyment or satisfaction from?
It’s an extremely difficult concept to describe to someone why I love aviation photography. I often question this myself, thinking about why I’m standing on a ladder, in the rain and wind in the middle of the night yet I still come back time after time. There’s something so fascinating about aviation and being able to capture a single moment in time is extremely rewarding. Having the ability to share my images with people across the world is very fulfilling and is humbling to see my photos liked, shared and commented on by complete strangers.

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Through The Lens

1. How did you get into aviation photography?

2. Why aviation photography?

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