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03/18/2006 09:16:07 PM · #1 |
My boss has offered me the opportunity to go up and do some aerial photography this coming week. I assume it is just getting some aerial shots of a site location for a condo developer. My problem is that I have never done this and the plane that I would be going up in is just one of these little open sided ultralight things. I have only been on commercial airlines a few times in my life and I am just not sure how I will react to be on such a tiny and exposed plane. I would hate to get up there and freak out and not be able to get the shots done properly. However I don't think I want to pass up this offer. It could be valuable experience and may even be fun if I can get over the fear.
Has anyone else done any aerial shots? If so do you have any advice as far as shooting goes. |
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03/18/2006 09:21:49 PM · #2 |
Wow, I'd love an opportunity like that!
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03/18/2006 09:27:58 PM · #3 |
Remember the pain of a severe crashlanding only lasts a small fraction of a second. When I flew the F-4 Phantom II we jokes about the pilot feeling the pain a millionth of a second before the backseater. Stay in the back seat, it's safer ;).
Naaaaa go have fun, it's much safer than jumping off a building ;) |
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03/18/2006 11:13:48 PM · #4 |
Don't drop your camera...
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03/18/2006 11:21:45 PM · #5 |
I've done a *little* bit of it -- it's a fun thing to do!
If you're shooting something specific, you'll definitely want to take note of the time of day you'll be shooting. If the sun is coming from the wrong angle, you're going to have a rough time getting a good shot. You'll want to know ahead of time how the sun is going to be hitting the buildings you're shooting.
You'll also want to shoot at a very fast shutter speed. Even if it seems like you're flying smoothly, you'll probably have to contort yourself a bit to get a comfortable grip on the camera, and it's harder than it seems to keep things steady.
I have a few shots posted here.
Have fun, and don't freak out :)
PS -- I don't suppose you can technically call this an "aerial" shot, but I took this today from the CN Tower in Toronto.
Message edited by author 2006-03-18 23:28:18. |
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03/18/2006 11:47:42 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by alanfreed:
I have a few shots posted here.
Have fun, and don't freak out :)
PS -- I don't suppose you can technically call this an "aerial" shot, but I took this today from the CN Tower in Toronto.
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Your aerials are gorgeous - very rich colors! And the one from the tower counts as "aerial" - any time you can see the curvature of the earth, that counts.
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03/19/2006 12:27:16 AM · #7 |
Some time ago I did a fair amount of photography from a single-engine plane. Here are a few things I learned:
1. on all but the clearest days, your photos will tend to be bluish
2. a high-wing plane is better than a low-wing one
3. for more vertical shots, get the pilot to bank
4. to get good and airsick, keep your eye glued to the camera eyepiece ;-( |
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03/19/2006 01:05:04 AM · #8 |
You'll want to make sure you don't shoot through the window, but make sure it's opened. Also, have the pilot bank so your looking straight down.
I've shot aerials (from airplanes) for over 10 years. Air to air of other planes as well.
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03/19/2006 01:09:12 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
You'll want to make sure you don't shoot through the window, but make sure it's opened. Also, have the pilot bank so your looking straight down.
I've shot aerials (from airplanes) for over 10 years. Air to air of other planes as well. |
I would love to see some, I really like those shots.
Message edited by author 2006-03-19 01:12:20. |
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03/19/2006 07:29:12 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
You'll want to make sure you don't shoot through the window, but make sure it's opened. Also, have the pilot bank so your looking straight down.
I've shot aerials (from airplanes) for over 10 years. Air to air of other planes as well. |
Well, if my understanding of the plane I am going up in is correct, there will be no windows to the side of the plane...or a door for that matter...
The area I am going to be shooting has a lot of water on the ground...do you think I should use a polarizer?
I wish I had a sharper lens then the 18-70 nikon D 70 kit lens I have. I guess I could bring a 50 mm but that probably won't give a wide enough angle. It might be OK though if I am supposed to get in on a specific area.
Message edited by author 2006-03-19 07:39:42. |
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03/19/2006 11:01:58 AM · #11 |
Originally posted by fadedbeauty:
Originally posted by Brent_Ward:
You'll want to make sure you don't shoot through the window, but make sure it's opened. Also, have the pilot bank so your looking straight down.
I've shot aerials (from airplanes) for over 10 years. Air to air of other planes as well. |
Well, if my understanding of the plane I am going up in is correct, there will be no windows to the side of the plane...or a door for that matter...
The area I am going to be shooting has a lot of water on the ground...do you think I should use a polarizer?
I wish I had a sharper lens then the 18-70 nikon D 70 kit lens I have. I guess I could bring a 50 mm but that probably won't give a wide enough angle. It might be OK though if I am supposed to get in on a specific area. |
Do you know how high you will be? 800-1000ft? or lower. You'll want the zoom.
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03/19/2006 11:16:08 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by fadedbeauty:
The area I am going to be shooting has a lot of water on the ground...do you think I should use a polarizer?
I wish I had a sharper lens then the 18-70 nikon D 70 kit lens I have. I guess I could bring a 50 mm but that probably won't give a wide enough angle. It might be OK though if I am supposed to get in on a specific area. |
Two friends of mine are a husband/wife team, both of whom are pilots. She likes photography and likes to shoot from the air. She says that the vibration effect in the plane is significant and that you need to use the fastest shutter speeds you can. This might rule out the use of a CP filter unless you have a very bright and sunny day. And of course, the higher the altitude, the less the apparent motion of things on the ground.
Good luck. Post some samples! |
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03/19/2006 11:16:27 AM · #13 |
The ultralight is actually a good platform for photography. Have the pilot throttle back and glide while you are shooting; vibration is much less of an issue then. The zoom lens is the way to go; you won't want to be changing lenses much, if at all, in an ultralight.
You want to be flying in early morning or late afternoon for the most "descriptive" light. Midday is no good; there will be no shadows to provide relief details. Whether morning or afternoon light is better depends on the primary direction of your shots. If you will be shooting your key shots to the east, you want morning light; afternoon light will but the sun behind you and flatten things out. Vice-versa if shooting to the west. Shooting cross-sun, either time will work.
Bring your lens hood, and use it. The polarizer is good, but it will reduce the available light. The good news is, from any decent height DOF is not going to be a problem, so you can open the lens up pretty wide to maintain a decent shutter speed. Be aware, using the polarizer, that you'll have to be twiddling with it constantly as the plane circles and changes its angle in relation to the sunlight.
As for you "fear of flying" issue, ultralights are a blast but they can be problematical for those with fear of heights and/or motion sickness issues. You're completely exposed, pretty much. If you know you have motion sickness issues, ask your doctor for a prescription/recommendation for a pill you can take beforehand to reduce that problem.
Robt.
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03/20/2006 12:01:11 PM · #14 |
For some stunning aerial mountain photos, look up Bradford Washburn.
Here's some small thumbs of his stuff:
Bradford Washburn Thumbnails
Look at the size of that camera!
Message edited by author 2006-03-20 12:03:19. |
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