Question on LHR spotting location

[saupatel]

Hi, I was curious where this shot was taken from. I know its on the north side but wasnt sure if this was from the hotel or the road. I am going to LHR next summer and this location seems too good not to try out.

[photoid=6622861]

I asked the photographer but got no response so i thought i would ask the LHR experts in the forum

[stu2ii2]

I would say that it was taken from one of the 'spotter' rooms at the Rennaisance Hotel but not being a regular spotter at Heathrow, please don't hold me to that.

[brianw999]

The Heathrow Renaissance Hotel without a doubt. An excellent deal for anyone with a car who is travelling out of Heathrow and wants a couple of weeks parking combined with a room for the night. I'm paying £120 for a room and two weeks parking in September. A car park alone would cost you that. Make sure you request an upper level runway overview which you can do in advance by telephoning the hotel on 020 8897 6363.

The light is better in the late afternoon/evening. You can't check in until after 1400 so you'll be better off shooting around the airport dependant on the runways in use. Here's one I prepared earlier....

[photoid=6232191]

[Shanwick]

A little trick if departing LHR by air from terminal 1 is to go through security well in advance(even hours),head for the British Midland domestic gates.I am not too sure of the number on these gates but just look at the screens for say BMI to Glasgow etc.At this point you are walking a long a wide pier heading East past the shops you will come to a large open air cafeteria on your left..keep going as far as you can and you will find a row of seats looking out onto 27R.
Plan your trip allowing for change of runway at 15:00L you need them landing whilst here http://www.heathrowairport.com/asset...nation2009.pdf.
If they are going out to the East you will only get taxing shots.
Below are some examlpes to be had from this point.One can even get a few beers from the cafeteria while you click away...great life better than sex
p.s.Brian dont well you must be doing it wrong re.last line

[B7772ADL]

A little trick if departing LHR by air from terminal 1 is to go through security well in advance(even hours),head for the British Midland domestic gates.I am not too sure of the number on these gates but just look at the screens for say BMI to Glasgow etc

That area is known as Gate 8. However, I think you can only get down to that area now if you are flying from there as there seems to be a second layer of security checks in T1 to let you into that area from the departure lounge given that there are International flights going from T1 too.

[saupatel]

So if you get a hotel room, do they have a balcony or are you shooting through the glass?

I think i will reserve a room there next summer. I have spotted for 14 hours from the KLM Holideck lounge in T4 but now that BA has a brand spanking new terminal, i dont know which airline uses T4 anymore.

[Shanwick]

That area is known as Gate 8. However, I think you can only get down to that area now if you are flying from there as there seems to be a second layer of security checks in T1 to let you into that area from the departure lounge given that there are International flights going from T1 too.

All true James.But on the way back to Ireland I have gone through that second layer.So it boils down if you are travelling from T1 to a destination you do not need a passport for immigration.

[brianw999]

So if you get a hotel room, do they have a balcony or are you shooting through the glass?

You'll be shooting through glass but as long as you keep the room lights off and keep a look out for reflections you'll be OK. Don't be tempted to open the inner windows. The outer glass may well mist up if you do.
If you want to see more of my shots from here search from the homepage with Heathrow in the airport field, my name in the photographer field and "renaissance" (without the speech marks) in the keyword field.

[Vishal Jolapara]

......I think i will reserve a room there next summer.....

Bhai, nail for me (with tender lovin care ) all those divine A340's of mine that these Londoners get by the dozen

[saupatel]

Bhai, nail for me (with tender lovin care ) all those divine A340's of mine that these Londoners get by the dozen

You bet bhai !! I will try to get some more A340s on my next trip to LAX too.

[saupatel]

If you want to see more of my shots from here search from the homepage with Heathrow in the airport field, my name in the photographer field and "renaissance" (without the speech marks) in the keyword field.

Very nicely shot Brian considering you got the typical gloomy weather at LHR on most of those shots. I got way too many gloomy shots in LAX because of the mysterious ocean fog that settles there every summer morning

[brianw999]

...because of the mysterious ocean fog that settles there every summer morning

That fog is a serious pain in the butt. I can leave home in Kent in bright sunshine, stay in bright sunshine until I turn off the M25 motorway....and...

.... WHAM ! Wipers and washers time. Sit in car for an hour or more listening to them land and and take off....but not see a thing.

The Renaissance is only any good in bright light in the late afternoon / evening although if the cloud cover is there, but it's reasonably bright, you can start earlier as the hard backlit shadows aren't there.