Following on the success of our weekly “10 Questions With” segment, our team at APP have started up a new Monthly Spotter Feature on our website and Instagram profile, showcasing aviation enthusiasts based in Singapore and abroad. The concept and motivation behind this project is to bring the community closer together, and to shine a light on the community we coexist in with hopes of raising awareness with regards to our hobby and to provide a chance for all spotters to be seen both locally & internationally.
This month's Featured Spotter showcases 18 year old Lionel from Singapore. We have had the pleasure to know over the last 2 years and it is a pleasure to finally do a feature spot on him. Lionel showcases his aviation photos mainly on Instagram , so do check out his profile as well!
Self Introduction
Hello, you are..?
I am Lionel, 18 years old this year, currently a student studying engineering.
Share some fun facts about yourself!
I am actually very musically inclined !! I love to play the piano, the drum set and also the clarinet. I compose music in my free time too. I firmly believe that music connects the world together, just like how aviation connects the world together too !
When did you begin spotting
I started spotting with my mobile phone on November 15th 2020
What is your motivation you behind spotting? What keeps you interested in plane spotting?
Talking about what motivates me to spot, there are too many factors that motivate me !! From seeing those flying machines gracing the skies to hearing their engine roars and, not to forget, meeting new people who share the same love for aviation !! The goal of becoming an airline pilot keeps the burning passion for aviation in me, so every time I go plane spotting , I will imagine the day when I will be flying those metal birds in the cockpit too.
Gear Talk
What gear (camera + lens) do you use?
I'm currently using a Canon EOS 90D with the EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS III USM , EF 70-300mm F/4-5.6 IS II USM , EF 50mm F/1.8 STM and the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM.
What photo editing tools do you use, which is your favourite?
I edit and process my pictures using Adobe Lightroom and Topaz Labs softwares and I enjoyed using all of them.
Love for Airplanes
What is your favourite:
Aircraft : I love both the Boeing 777 and the Boeing 747.
Airline: My favorite airlines to fly with will be Singapore Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.
Livery: My favourite livery will be the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” livery on the ANA 767s.
Airport and spotting location: My favorite airport is none other than Singapore Changi International Airport. However, I do love spotting at Incheon International Airport in South Korea.
What is your most interesting or insane experience you have while spotting?
Most or all my spotting experiences are interesting as each spotting session is filled with different air traffic, which makes all my spotting sessions interesting !! If I were to talk about an insane spotting experience, it would be that day when I stayed out in the open overnight while doing night shots alone! I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone to practice night shots, thinking that it would be peaceful, i actually got a little scared by the silent death and weird noises around me at night, especially during a period where there are no incoming traffic
Which are some of your favourite shots ?
To Round Of
What tips would you give to aspiring spotters?
To all the aspiring spotters or new spotters, remember that practice is key for both taking and editing your shots !! Always try to be creative and try out different angles or new perspectives even if it's the same aircraft. For editing wise, do try out new styles ( if you have not developed a signature style yet ), play around with what your editing software can offer and don't be afraid to push the boundaries of creativity ,who knows that a picture you thought was bad might turn out to be great instead !!
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