Aerial Photography - What type of Aircraft?

Aerial photography is as challenging as it gets for that professional photographer. Many decisions need to be made to get spectacular betting games, everything from type of aircraft to subject matter and time of day. Teamwork is also required because the photographer and pilot need to take communicate well in order for the photographer to discover the desired images. This article covers airborne photography platforms with a small amount of photography technical information. Part 2 will cover the technical and resourceful side of aerial do just fine.

While aerial photography happens to be accomplished with everything from heated air balloons to space shuttles for most of us we are a little limited in the resources we have close by. I have used planes, fixed wing aircraft or even ultralights for my do just fine and I'll cover these in a little more detail in my personal order of choice.

Helicopters:

Aerial photography from helicopters is liable the easiest platform to work from under most circumstances. When used specifically during photography most pilots will allow the removal of a door leaving an extensive workable shooting area there. This can be very advantages as you can literally pan the camera which keeps the subject within the frame while still travelling by way of a straight forward direction. Helicopters also have very impressive turning characteristics so it's not surprising that there is far less lost time in case you circle back to shoot in just a different altitude or change.

There are a few downsides to shooting from helicopters regardless that. Firstly is the deeper expense, easily $500 per hour or so for a Robinson R22 in order to complete $1, 500 or more for an large jet. It's very impressive how much you can shoot in a few hours but the credit card can take a success after you land. Require a jet helicopter for almost all uses? I have used both the smaller Robinson's and discrepancy jet helicopters and have had achievement with both. Some will argue that the bigger helicopters are tiny safer but I'll leave that towards experts. Jet helicopters are significantly faster so if you are travelling large distances that they'll have an advantage. Secondly, vibrations can be a question depending on a number of different factors. My experience has been that a good pilot is often hit a "sweet spot" where the helicopter settles into an immensely smooth forward motion. This can be one of not while you are positioned, forward movement plays a component.

Helicopter photography from a technical standpoint can also be both a challenge and an exciting experience. If you can't get rid of the doors wear dark clothing and make sure to have a contact lens shade installed. Most of the windows are Plexiglas and are also have scratches so you will probably want to shoot fairly wide there for limit the depth having to do with field. Window tint may also be a problem although the software generally be cleaned soaring in Photoshop or additional editor. I recommend shooting RAW for this reason. Whatever you do, do not place any part of this body or camera from the sides of the helicopter perhaps a vibration will transfer in order to the camera and cause unsharp images. Life is easier without doors but know about turbulence if you lean out a little too far. The buffeting can be quite strong. All gear and other equipment needs to be securely fastened to you physically or a harness, you won't want to think about what could happen if you drop an enormous lens or camera out the door! I go as remote computer repair as taping the lens hood towards the lens as a safety precaution for sure the tail rotors forces quick work of a lost lens shade, possibly with bad consequences. If at all possible use a few different cameras to help you keep changing lenses and so memory cards down as low as possible.

I try to buy functional my shutter speeds with the aid of 1/1000 or faster if at all possible but have had sound success around 1/500. If this means increasing the ISO as the settings fades I do this in preference to having somewhat blurred confetti. This should allow to have an aperture of about f5. 6 in most circumstances although since the light fades you might be looking at f2. 8 or so, a good reason to accumulate fast lenses.

Ultralight:

I first did aerial photography out of your ultralight in Costa Rica a few years back. I must admit I had no idea what to expect as my previous aerial photography had been done from helicopters up to that point. I expected a large amount of vibration and bad wind buffeting but was in for a shock. Ultralights are actually an amazing aerial photography platform underneath the right conditions which is if you tend to take flight them anyway. They do get tossed around a little bit but generally the vibrations tend to be not as bad as helicopters. While they aren't when maneuverable as helicopters they are better than fixed wing aircraft. Possibly the only downsides are, they are somewhat slow and you have to feel comfortable in them and therefore are very bare bones and seat regarding pants!

Fixed wing airlines:

Likely the bulk of aerial photography is done with fixed wing aircraft. While not as maneuverable as helicopters they're still very competent shooting platforms underneath the right conditions. Try to get an aircraft with a high wing similar to the reduction Cessna 172 Skyhawk for top view. The low winged flights really limit the look versus below! Even with high wings the wing strut will probably be in the way, it's not generally located in a reasonable position for photography. I'm sure some people fly over the doors off but in general you will be flying either shooting the small opening window or to glass. Either way, positioning of the airplanes is very critical to line up the image so an excellent pilot preferably with go through working with photographers is essential. What's the biggest benefit of a fixed wing structure? Cost! Likely 1/4 or less of what the helicopter will cost.

Getting organized:

Flying in circles looking for photographs can be very exciting and entertaining until you land and discover how much money you spend without really accomplishing anything at all. Do your research beforehand and obtain a good idea about what you will photograph and how they'll give you accomplish it. What side of the aircraft will you be shooting from? What altitude or different altitudes are required? When will the light be the best? Often you will in which one flight will not produce many of the required images due to these decisions and a the next thing or third flight are required.

Once you have done your homework it is time to find your aircraft. What's your budget is liable the biggest decision here advantages and what type of aircraft come? Hire a good start, preferably one that is experienced working with photographers! Pilots do vary plus some are better at others when it comes to understanding the requirements of everyone aerial photography. Go over a flight plan and stick with it. The most important area of the shoot is the go calls the shots then get the final say in what will be done. He knows the regulations, safety issues and the bottom line; they are responsible in order to, the aircraft and the people on the ground!

Happy shooting!

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