A sure sign for photographers that Seafair’s boats and planes are in town: All the long telephoto rental lenses at local camera stores are reserved or checked out for the weekend.

The Blue Angels —the US Navy’s high-performance aerial demonstration team— are a favorite for shutterbugs and airplane enthusiasts as they scream over Lake Washington. The team skipped their annual Seafair performance in 2013 after being grounded by sequestration cuts, but are back at it this year. And after calling around on Wednesday and finding out that all those previously mentioned rental lenses are spoken for, we assume the legions of shutterbugs will also be out there over the next few days.

So now that you have that 400mm super telephoto lens, you need to know where to go for that perfect shot.

The key is obviously to get elevated or be in a spot that has a horizon unobstructed by trees, buildings and power lines. The closer you are to show center on Lake Washington, the better your view will be. A strategically-placed background or foreground —like Mount Rainer, the Space Needle or the Seattle skyline— can help make your airplane photo even more spectacular.

This year Columbia Tower’s Sky View Observation Deck will offer a unique vantage point to see the airplanes. The $12.50 admission for adults will get you a view from 900 feet up. But if you plan to go there be aware that you will be photographing through polarized windows that can result in unusual images. Also, expect it to be crowded. The Smith Tower Observation Deck and the Space Needle are two other options but they are not as high and you have the added challenge of capturing the planes through safety bars and cables.

P-I photographers have amassed a collection of images from some of the best vantage points over the years. The gallery below features some of the notable and recommended spots where we’ve photographed the planes.

So good luck out there and if you get some good pics of the those F/A-18 Hornets buzzing over our fine city, email them to me joshuatrujillo@seattlepi.com or tweet them using the hashtag #BlueAngelsPix and I’ll make a post featuring some of your best photos.









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Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 1 of / 13 Caption Close Image 2 of 13 Deck of closed Interstate 90 floating bridge: The unobstructed view here is spectacular, but arrive early as parking is difficult. Spectators can walk onto the closed bridge near Lake Washington Blvd. South and South Irving Street. The unobstructed view here is spectacular, but arrive early as parking is difficult. Spectators can walk onto the closed bridge near Lake Washington Blvd. South and South Irving Street. less Deck of closed Interstate 90 floating bridge: The unobstructed view here is spectacular, but arrive early as parking is difficult. Spectators can walk onto the closed bridge near Lake The unobstructed view here is spectacular, but arrive early as parking is difficult. Spectators can walk onto the closed bridge near Lake ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 3 of 13 Rooftop of any downtown skyscraper: If you are lucky enough to have access to the roof of a skyscraper downtown you will likely have one of the best views available. I attempted to talk my way into a rooftop party a few years ago — and almost made it up there. If you are lucky enough to have access to the roof of a skyscraper downtown you will likely have one of the best views available. I attempted to talk my way into a rooftop party a few years ago — and almost made it up there. less Rooftop of any downtown skyscraper: If you are lucky enough to have access to the roof of a skyscraper downtown you will likely have one of the best views available. I attempted to talk my way If you are lucky enough to have access to the roof of a skyscraper downtown you will likely have one of the best views available. I attempted to talk my way ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 4 of 13 Museum of Flight at Boeing Field: This vantage point offers a great place to watch the Blue Angels taxi, takeoff and land. But arrive early as parking at the museum is difficult. The lot usually closes when the planes are airborne. Fences around the perimeter of the airfield also are a great place to watch the action. This vantage point offers a great place to watch the Blue Angels taxi, takeoff and land. But arrive early as parking at the museum is difficult. The lot usually closes when the planes are airborne. Fences around the perimeter of the airfield also are a great place to watch the action. less Museum of Flight at Boeing Field: This vantage point offers a great place to watch the Blue Angels taxi, takeoff and land. But arrive early as parking at the museum is difficult. The lot This vantage point offers a great place to watch the Blue Angels taxi, takeoff and land. But arrive early as parking at the museum is difficult. The lot ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 5 of 13 Image 6 of 13 A boat on Lake Washington: If you don't own a boat, quickly make friends with someone that does. I once owned a boat and parked it in the middle of the lake, north of the Interstate 90 bridge. One of the Blue Angels screamed about 50 feet overhead . The log boom is legendary as a viewing location. Take earplugs if you plan to do this. If you don't own a boat, quickly make friends with someone that does. I once owned a boat and parked it in the middle of the lake, north of the Interstate 90 bridge. One of the Blue Angels screamed about 50 feet overhead . The log boom is legendary as a viewing location. Take earplugs if you plan to do this. less A boat on Lake Washington: If you don't own a boat, quickly make friends with someone that does. I once owned a boat and parked it in the middle of the lake, north of the Interstate 90 bridge. If you don't own a boat, quickly make friends with someone that does. I once owned a boat and parked it in the middle of the lake, north of the Interstate 90 bridge. ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 7 of 13 West Seattle: If the Blues pass in front of the downtown skyline, as they did in this photo, it can provide a dramatic backdrop. But you will be far from the center of the show action. If the Blues pass in front of the downtown skyline, as they did in this photo, it can provide a dramatic backdrop. But you will be far from the center of the show action. less West Seattle: If the Blues pass in front of the downtown skyline, as they did in this photo, it can provide a dramatic backdrop. But you will be far from the center of the show If the Blues pass in front of the downtown skyline, as they did in this photo, it can provide a dramatic backdrop. But you will be far from the center of the show ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 8 of 13 Newport Hills: If you are hoping to take photos from here have at least a 400mm lens. The view can be spectacular but again, you are far removed from the action over Lake Washington. If you are hoping to take photos from here have at least a 400mm lens. The view can be spectacular but again, you are far removed from the action over Lake Washington. less Newport Hills: If you are hoping to take photos from here have at least a 400mm lens. The view can be spectacular but again, you are far removed from the action over Lake If you are hoping to take photos from here have at least a 400mm lens. The view can be spectacular but again, you are far removed from the action over Lake ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 9 of 13 Any tall condo or apartment building in Seattle: Elevated vantage points are good to watch the Blues but if you are in a building taller than those around you the view should be better. The Smith Tower observation deck, the Columbia Tower observation deck or the Space Needle can provide dramatic elevated views for the public. Elevated vantage points are good to watch the Blues but if you are in a building taller than those around you the view should be better. The Smith Tower observation deck, the Columbia Tower observation deck or the Space Needle can provide dramatic elevated views for the public. less Any tall condo or apartment building in Seattle: Elevated vantage points are good to watch the Blues but if you are in a building taller than those around you the view should be better. The Elevated vantage points are good to watch the Blues but if you are in a building taller than those around you the view should be better. The ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 10 of 13 Image 11 of 13 <strong>Any neighborhood near Lake Washington:</strong> The Blue Angels show takes place over a broad part of the sky. Neighborhoods around Lake Washington provide some fantastic views of the show. <strong>Any neighborhood near Lake Washington:</strong> The Blue Angels show takes place over a broad part of the sky. Neighborhoods around Lake Washington provide some fantastic views of the show. Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 12 of 13 Shores of Lake Washington: The beaches and parks around Lake Washington offer an unobstructed view of the Blues. And after spending a significant part of the day in the sun, a cool dip in the lake is usually welcome. The beaches and parks around Lake Washington offer an unobstructed view of the Blues. And after spending a significant part of the day in the sun, a cool dip in the lake is usually welcome. less Shores of Lake Washington: The beaches and parks around Lake Washington offer an unobstructed view of the Blues. And after spending a significant part of the day in the sun, a cool dip in the The beaches and parks around Lake Washington offer an unobstructed view of the Blues. And after spending a significant part of the day in the sun, a cool dip in the ... more Photo: seattlepi.com / file Image 13 of 13 Best places to photograph, see Blue Angels in Seattle 1 / 13 Back to Gallery

Visit seattlepi.com’s home page for more Seattle news. Contact Seattle photographer Joshua Trujillo at joshuatrujillo@seattlepi.com or on Twitter as @joshtrujillo.