Airplane Pictures Tell The Story
Aviation Photography: a "How To" Guide

Many times, even the best photographer will have a very nice shot that is just not quite what was wanted. Anticipate the shot that you want, anticipate the movement of the aircraft, follow it along and be ready to shoot the moment you have focus, while the aircraft is still within the borders of your viewfinder. This shot has fairly good exposure, soft focus but even if the focus and exposure would have been spot on.. the shot would be wasted due to the "off frame" of the subject.