Assignments
‘Up close and operational’ shoots with the world’s military.
COAP has decades of professional experience in journalism and photography in the engagement with military air arms across the world. As such, Assignments will be undertaken to frontline units that will see small groups of dedicated photographers embark on specific Assignments to visit the units, experience squadron life, be positioned amongst the action and meet the men and women on an operational base. These visits are strictly for photographers and are dedicated to spending quality time in the best vantage points, all executed with full security and safety procedures in place. Often such visits will result in a publication being available to the host unit after the event for their own purposes, as well as a Workshop to produce the end product. Some Assignments will also have a Masterclass built into them, whereby aircrew or specialist aviation photographers will present to the group in a relaxed, interactive format.
UK-based Assignments will raise money for charitable organisations associated with specific host units.
• Go ‘up close and operational’ with the world’s military
• Small groups of dedicated photographers, spending quality time on the frontline
• Shadow the pros and develop your technique
• Workshop/Masterclass often built into the assignment
• Produce stunning end results
• Raise money for charity
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“ Would I recommend COAP to anyone? Without hesitation. It is a fantastic experience for anyone who likes taking aviation photos. The Centre of Aviation Photography is without a doubt the best thing I have done for my photography.“
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“ It was one of those ‘pinch me’ moments to be quite honest.“
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“ What doesn’t change are the principles of great access and the opportunity to test and enhance your photographic skills not to mention the social side of gathering with fellow enthusiasts.“
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“ I came out of the Workshop buzzing! A very enjoyable, relaxed and well planned event. I learned that the photograph is the end product, but getting that end product takes a lot of learning, a lot of effort, and on my part, a different way of thinking.“
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“ It was brilliant and exhilarating“
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“ In a word: Superb. Nothing but praise from start to finish.“
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“ This week has been one of the best weeks of my life. It was nothing short of amazing. I'm so passionate about my photography and finally feel I have found a place to learn more with COAP. And to top it all one of the pilots wants one of my images!“
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“ Holding a camera doesn't make a person a photographer, same as holding a driving license doesn't make someone a driver… COAP is a game changer. My thinking totally changed after the Wroskhop“
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“ I look forward to the next ops – I’ve got the air-to-air bug for sure!“
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“ Thoroughly enjoyable insight into life on a front-line RAF squadron with unparalleled photographic opportunities. Exceptional.“
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“ We never shot from the same place twice; between the different vantage points, the changing light and weather, and the reversal of flight ops as the wind switched, there was such a variety to the photographic opportunities.“
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“ It was an incredible rush.“
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“ It was just truly incredible and something I will never forget. I didn’t just have such an amazing time and snapped some beautiful aircraft, I met amazing people who I am still in contact with.“
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“ These have been immensely enjoyable, well run, good value bearing in mind the opportunities they deliver and all with a great social atmosphere, comradeship and not forgetting the essential ingredient of a good dose of banter!“
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“ It was extremely informative and taught me a lot about taking aviation pictures even though i have been doing it for thirty years. I can’t wait to try things out.“
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“ The rush of looking out from the open ramp at the aircraft that get really close is amazing. This really is something you have to have experienced as an aviation photographer. The opportunity that COAP and Aviation Photocrew gave was amazing.“
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“ Exceptional, unrestricted access to life on a front-line squadron that is normally denied to members of the public. An excellent visit and I have to pinch myself to bring home the fact that I really was there and I was that close .“
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“ Long days and an epic week that none of us will ever forget with experiences that will live for us forever. Fantastic COAP trip.“
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“ I can quite categorically say that was the most important and inspirational click on a mouse in my life and completely changed how I approach all my photography and editing.“
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“ This was such an exhilarating experience, something that I’ll never forget. This is something that has been on my bucket list for a long time, but now I’d like to repeat this on a regular basis, it’s so addictive!“
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“ Air Combat EU provided a simply exhilarating experience for my first air-to-air back seat photography flight. Any feelings of apprehension were allayed by the support and ideas given during both the pre-flight briefings and the flights themselves. The pilots were knowledgeable, safe and informative throughout the entire experience and I constantly caught myself smiling even when I was upside down!“
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“ I knew it would be good but had no idea it would be that good! So much variety and so much time face to face with such fantastic machines, as well as some really good company for three days.“
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“ The course will show what is involved in the planning and execution of an air-to-air sortie to produce the type of images that you see in books and magazines.“
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“ The opportunity to fly with Air Combat EU and COAP was a fantastic chance to experience the planning and execution of backseat air-to-air photography. Under the expert guidance of the COAP pros and former fast jet crews the results were better than I could have ever hoped for as a ‘first timer’. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the experience.“
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Assignment #5
RAF ODIHAM
The Chinook fleet continues to be a backbone of the RAF, with decades of sterling service. The machine is nothing short of incredible and this Assignment will be a rare chance to photograph them in operation at their home base. It will also include a Workshop the night before.
ASSIGNMENT SUMMARY
LOCATION: RAF Odiham, Hampshire
SUBJECT: RAF Chinook fleet
DATE: Dec 2016
PRICE: To Follow
CAPACITY: Maximum of 12x photographers
INCLUDES: Workshop, hire of facility, overnight stay in hotel on B&B basis, hire of commercial transport and driver, all logistics, booking and admin, plus donation to Station charity.RAF ODIHAM: Assignment Overview
The RAF Chinook is a vital asset and is now in operation in three different variants at its Hampshire home station. The squadrons are amongst the busiest in the entire RAF and they fly high-intensity, demanding missions. As such, there is very often long period of deployment and, whilst the incredible airshow displays are award-winning, it is very rare to get a chance to see their flight operations at their own station.This visit is expected to be popular and enlightening, with some ace photographic opportunities on the ramps and out on the airfield.
TIMETABLE
Operational timetable to be confirmed, exact dates to be confirmedDay 1
19.30hrs: Workshop in The Trenchard Room, part of the excellent FAST Museum at Farnborough. This is the very room in which the Royal Flying Corps (today’s RAF) was formed back in 1912. The subject and delivery of this Workshop will be announced very soon.
22.30hrs: Local hotel.Day 2
Sample day…
08.00hrs: Board commercial transport to RAF Odiham
08.30hrs: Arrival and briefing
09.00hrs: Photography on ramp of all squadrons
11.30hrs: Maintenance hangars
12.00hrs: Crew interviews and lunch
13.30hrs: Photography around ramp and airfield landing/taxi areas
17.00hrs: CloseJoining & Booking
SIGN UP. WATCH OUT. BOOK UP…
1) SIGN UP: Click any of the big green buttons to create an account to sign up for free.
2) WATCH YOUR INBOX: Once this is ready to book we will contact you directly.
3) BOOK: Login to the site and this page will become live for bookings. All you need to do is click the red button and fill in the booking form (and remember to pack your camera!)
QUESTIONS?
Questions about the Operations of the Event? E-mail Rich on rich@centreofaviationphotography.com or call direct on +44 (0)7768 816029THE SMALL PRINT: All dates are preliminary until confirmed and ready for booking. All events are subject to change (especially the Assignments, as they are conducted with operational squadrons) and are subject to security, operational, technical or weather issues. As such, COAP, Service Providers and the respective militaries are not responsible for cancellation at any stage, bad weather or non-flying activity. Safety and Insurance is your own responsibility and risk. Safety and insurance is your own responsibility and risk. Please note that some Assignments can be very, very physically demanding, in extreme weather, for extended periods of time, with intense , fast-moving activity and any bookings are accepted on that basis. If you have any questions about the physical undertaking, please get in contact.
available through COAP this year!
available through COAP this year!
available through COAP this year!