As can be expected, things can go wrong while shooting airplanes in mid-air. Aviation photographer, Mark Mansfield tells us about a few of his harrowing situations, both in the air and on the ground.

Mark Mansfield: Yes, I have found myself in a few sticky situations while shooting air-to-air (A2A). Once the subject aircraft pilot had never done an A2A shoot before and he thought it would be fun to see if he could barrel roll around us. This resulted in him almost hitting us in mid-air. Needless to say the shoot was cancelled and when we all returned safely back to the ground a few harsh words were swopped.

I have also been arrested in Zambia doing a shoot for an airline many years ago. This particular airline no longer exists today, but I was contracted to do a whole lot of work around various Zambian airports of the airline. No names mentioned, but I was at one of the international airports going about my business and walking around the live side of the airport when I noticed way off in the distance a ‘blue light brigade’ making its way. I did not think too much about it and continued doing what I was contracted to do. The blue lights obviously came for me, and before I could even explain, I was thrown into the back of one of the vehicles, my gear forcibly removed, and rushed back to the terminal building where I was kept under armed guard and cross-examined for about 30 minutes. 

Visit Mark Mansfield's website to see more of his amazing photography.