The Slow Shutter Syndicate

15/10/2026

Wacky Wabbit & Poppy Alert!

Punching in at 560mm and 1/15th and Kicking-up Dust!

North American Harvard ("Wacky Wabbit" / AJ841) rolling out along the turf at Old Warden, showing off that striking poppy tribute livery in the autumn light. I’d already taken a wider run at this rollout, but engaged the built-in 1.4x converter to punch all the way out to 560mm while keeping the shutter committed down at 1/15 of a second. At that focal length, panning a heavy taildragger bouncing over uneven grass leaves zero room for hesitation—one micro-twitch on the swing and the whole airframe smears.

Held steady at base ISO 64 and f/7.1 to match her rollout vector down the strip. At a fifteenth of a second, the two-blade prop washes out into a ghost disc and the grass runway completely liquefies, while keeping the Wasp radial engine, greenhouse canopy, and every poignant poppy locked down pretty sharp. Lovely livery.

Shot on Nikon Z9 | AF-S 180–400mm f/4E + 1.4x @ 560mm | 1/15s | f/7.1 | ISO 64

15/10/2026

Shiny Vintage Alert! One of my Faves From Race Day!

The sole survivor skimming the deck at 1/15th.

The Shuttleworth Collection's Blackburn B-2 (G-AEBJ)—the only airworthy example left in the world—buzzing the grass at Old Warden in the afternoon light. Unlike most British biplane trainers of the 1930s with tandem wooden fuselages, the B-2 featured side-by-side seating and a distinctive all-metal, corrugated Duralumin monocoque hull.

Tracking that unique profile at 400mm down at an extreme 1/15 of a second leaves zero margin for error. Any vertical bounce as she skims ground effect or a hesitation in the swing will wipe out all those fine flying wires instantly. Locked in at base ISO 64 and f/6.3, matching the sweep cleanly right above the turf (You can see the vibration on the wires, but I've left them alone).

At a fifteenth of a second, the Cirrus Hermes prop completely melts away and the airfield washes into pure velocity streaks, while keeping the corrugated metal skin, cockpit, registration, and that low shadow racing across the grass pinned tack-sharp.

A very special piece of history running right on the deck.

Shot on Nikon Z9 | AF-S 180–400mm f/4E @ 400mm | 1/15s | f/6.3 | ISO 64

15/10/2026

Aerotow Alert!

Now this was difficult to grab!

The long haul at 1/15th.

Tiger Moth tug (G-ALND) hauling a vintage Slingsby glider into the air at Old Warden.

Aerotows are notoriously difficult to track on extreme slow shutter speeds. Because the tug and the glider are separated by yards of cable, they move across your field of view at completely different heights and angular rates. If you commit to 1/15 of a second, you have to pick your mark, commit to the swing, and instantly reset your panning speed for the second craft as it flashes past.

Managed to sn**ch clean frames of both ends of the rope at base ISO 64. At a fifteenth of a second, the Moth’s prop completely dissolves as she claws for height, while the deep red Slingsby skims just inches off the deck in ground effect, turning the airfield trees and infamous shed into pure speed bands.

A proper test of nerve on the glass, but so satisfying when the cable stays tight and the frames hold sharp.

Tug: Nikon Z9 | AF-S 180–400mm f/4E @ 400mm | 1/15s | f/5.6 | ISO 64

Glider: Nikon Z9 | AF-S 180–400mm f/4E @ 280mm | 1/15s | f/5.0 | ISO 64

14/10/2026

Old Vs New!

What a fantastic formation stack! Love this from our friend High ‘n’ Dry Photography. Super chuffed that our talented friends share this stuff with The Syndicate!

Don't forget to show your appreciation and give them a follow! 🙏💯❤️

Old and new over Portland Harbour

I had the privilege of shooting this air-to-air from Cessna Grand Caravan G-EELS. Two RAF Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s of the Typhoon Display Team formed up with two Mk IX Spitfires, the “Normandy Spitfire” and the “Spirit of Kent”, with the Dorset coastline and Portland Harbour below.

The Typhoons were flown by David Leighton (RIOT01) and Tom Nation (RIOT02, display callsign DRAGON01). George Haye and Ben Murphy flew the Spitfires.

Seeing more than 80 years of RAF fighter heritage side by side, in perfect conditions, is something I won’t forget. A huge thank you to all the pilots, crews, Andy Donovan UK, The Centre of Aviation Photography and everyone who made this sortie happen.

📸 High ’N’ Dry Photography shot on a Canon R1

FlyaSpitfire.com RAF Typhoon Display Team Royal Air Force Coningsby The Spitfire Company The Slow Shutter Syndicate Lilham Aviation RAF Coningsby Spotters Group

14/10/2026

It's Tagging Time!

First up is a great set from our friend Storied Aviation of a great looking heli, with a super important role.

Thanks for the tag, super appreciated 🙏 💯

14/10/2026

Been working away, so will catch-up with Super-Duper Tagging very soon! Thank you for your patience and attention to this matter. TSSS 🙏💯❤️