I've been spotting for years and I see the same mistakes constantly. Here's what separates the casuals from the people who actually get great shots.

1. You're at the wrong end of the runway.

Check wind direction before you drive out. Apps like Flightradar24 show active runways. If planes are landing 28L, don't park at 10R.

2. You're shooting at noon.

Harsh overhead sun kills aviation photography. Golden hour (sunrise/sunset) gives you that cinematic side-light that makes liveries pop. The 30 minutes after sunrise at a busy airport? Chef's kiss.

3. You're ignoring ATC frequencies.

LiveATC is free. Listening to approach/tower lets you know what's inbound before you can even see it. You'll never miss a rare livery again.

4. You don't know the schedule.

Airlines publish schedules months ahead. Cross-reference routes with aircraft type assignments. That's how people "randomly" catch 777s at regional airports — they checked.

5. You're only shooting departures.

Arrivals on short final are where the magic is. Low, slow, gear down, lights on. That's the shot.

I run a community for aviation obsessives where we share spots, coordinate events, and break down every major airline move. If this is your thing, check it out.