Thanks to the DPC clan and a little help!

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

10/07/2014 04:21:56 PM · #1

I arrived a work today to find a voice message left by the CEO asking me to call him as soon as I got in (that in itself is enough to stress me out!) So I did with some hesitation and this is where you guys come in! He said he wanted to rent a helicopter for the day if I would agree to go and take some areal pictures for the company which covers most of the waterfront along the St. Lawrence River from Kingston Ontario to the Quebec border. (About 200 km) I don't have a clue about aerial photography but my photo skills in general have grown over the years thanks to everyone on this site and I still have a ton of learning to do. I started here using the auto feature and slowly worked my way through aperture priority and have become somewhat comfortable with using manual. All thanks to you...yes each one of you.

So now I need more help, guidance and direction! Is there anything I should know about aerial photography that will help me? Itâ��s not something I can try out before the shoot!! Tips, advice and any other information I may need will be more than help full. The pilot is going to be flying quite low from what I have been told. So I was planning on using my 18-200 but I would have my 80-400 on my D90 as a backup if need be. I also think I will fall back to the aperture priority for this. I donâ��t have any filters but I would be willing to purchase one if you think it will help. I will be shooting campgrounds, islands, an 1812 fort, a historic site with approx. 40 buildings, a golf course and a marina. If the winds are calm I will also be able to shoot some old foundations and roadways that were flooded in 1952 when the seaway was built to join the Atlantic to the Great Lakes for shipping and it was part of a hydro project between Ontario and the State of NY.

Oh and he is removing the door for me so I am not shooting through a window...

Here is a link to some images of what you can see under the water

Thanks in advance just in case I fall out and canâ��t thank you later! Signed 50% excited and 60% scared shitless! So I am giving it 110%!!

Message edited by author 2014-10-07 16:30:47.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

10/07/2014 04:35:07 PM · #2

I'd guess shutter-priority would be better to reduce vibration-induced blur ... try searching the forums a bit as I think there have been previous discussions of this ...

scarbrd

Leica M10

Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux M Aspherical MF - Black

10/07/2014 04:40:49 PM · #3

agree with using shutter priority. Be sure to get a fast enough shutter speed to compensate for any vibration. 1/1000 would be my target.

Also, time of day is critical. Same as on land, early morning light or late afternoon light will give better texture and modeling on the ground.

jgirl57

10/07/2014 04:43:58 PM · #4

How exciting!!!! Congrats!!

I LOVE ariel photography and when I was in the CAP- Civil Air Patrol, one of my jobs was to take ariel photography with their cameras... We had to open and take out the cesna airplane windows to get good coverage.. we took pictures of damages from tornadoes and then the floods..and we did homeland security.. it was quiet fun and I really, really miss it! It is one of the main reasons why I gained intrest into photography because it was just amazing and the view was fantastic.. We were not allowed to touch settings on the cameras but just shoot..so I had no clue what things were .. but I do remember seeing them set on Aperature and they had wide angle lenses and they had very high shutter speeds..

Now they have digital where the camera goes underneath the plane and we use like a game joy stick to control the view and use the computers to snap the pics what they want but its not as fun and I got out of it because it bored me taking pictures and doing that way LOL
Because of the altitude, the risk of dazzle increases in late afternoon when the sun is low in the horizon is your best bet and actually best times really, We always flew at night during magic hour or when the sun was low was a huge huge thing.. then they always flew south to north fly, never towards the sun

The other issue was turbulance and getting clear shots.. , we had to use the windows to help stabilize the camera a bit.... but from what they had me do, all I had to do was turn on the camera and shoot, that was about it and have fun! It is an amazing experience,You will love it and no, don't fall out! lololol

Message edited by author 2014-10-07 17:03:22.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/07/2014 04:49:53 PM · #5

First, I am SO jealous. You are describing my DREAM shoot!!! Out an open helicopter door!!

A couple of things to think about:

- if you are even vaguely prone to motion sickness, make sure to take something beforehand. Going around in circles over a subject can make anyone queasy.
- I'm with Paul on the shutter- vs aperture-priority.
- good choice of lenses. Even down "low" you're a ways from you subject. But you want it wide enough to encompass the immediate surroundings.
- consider renting a full frame camera
- create a shot list to make sure you don't forget anything. Discuss it with the pilot so he can best decide the route, and give him a copy so he doesn't forget anything either.
- have a backup date in the even the weather doesn't cooperate.

It would also help to know what time of day you're planning the shoot.

bob350

Sony Alpha 1

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

10/07/2014 05:34:19 PM · #6

Sounds exciting. Quick online look reveals lots of tips (search using "photographing from a helicopter"). Several sites suggest long sleeves/warm clothes even in tropical environments because the rotor backwash drops the temperature. All urge proper multiple-anchored safety harnesses for you and extra strong attachments to your camera (not just camera strap) anchored to prevent loss. Another site warned against using lens hood because the air motion can pop them off and even send them sailing into the rear rotor. I have not experience with helicopters, but it does look like a way to get some amazing images. It was pretty interesting reading practical advice from those who have done it themselves.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

10/07/2014 06:43:21 PM · #7

I'd guess a UV/haze filter would be a good thing to have: it might help cut through any haze that's present, and it will protect the front lens element from stuff caught up in the rotor wash maybe. Definitely do shutter priority, and possibly auto-ISO if needed to keep the exposure up.

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

10/07/2014 07:35:15 PM · #8

If you are going to be shooting through the window or bubble, wear dark clothes to keep reflections down. You can get some great effects with a wide lens too if you are going to be anywhere under 500 ft.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

10/07/2014 09:00:23 PM · #9

Thanks everyone. The door will be off the helicopter but I will wear dark clothing just in case. Thanks for the shutter priority suggestion I will definitely go that route. I have never had motion sickness and I go out on the ocean a fair bit but flying may be different, I didn't think of the helicopter going in circles. I have gravol with ginger in my camera bag so hopefully that will do the trick. Unfortunately I have no control over the timing we are scheduled to leave at 7:45am and cover the 400km return trip but I will be able to instruct the pilot on the direction once we are in the air and I have the list of shots needed.

What would I be looking for quality wise in a UV/haze filter? I'd love to rent a full frame but they won't pay for it and I am not getting paid to shot this. (I am making my regular salary but nothing extra- the experience is good enough for me) I think I can get them to pay for the filter though! I have also said that they would be responsible for any damage that may occur to my equipment during the flight. They were very open to that.

I will search this site and I look forward to reading some of the tips online!

THANKS!!!

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

10/07/2014 09:14:33 PM · #10

Extra batteries and a few huge SD cards is a good idea. You will probably be shooting AF and VR in a relatively low temperature environment, so batteries may get used up sooner than you expect.

If you're concerned about exposure levels, you can set the 7100 to shoot bracketed two or three shot EV brackets. Just make sure that you shoot a full bracket on each important subject.

I agree with the shutter priority also, and the suggestion about using auto iso is also very good.

Don't be afraid to just shoot,,, shoot a lot, and enjoy the fabulous view as you go.

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

10/07/2014 09:19:53 PM · #11

Zooming in and out while going round and round... did me in. Do drugs.

tanguera

Nikon D750

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/07/2014 09:38:42 PM · #12

Originally posted by Lydia:

Zooming in and out while going round and round... did me in. Do drugs.

Seriously. Take Bonine. you dont want to be puking on your dream assignment...

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/07/2014 10:13:44 PM · #13

Originally posted by tanguera:

Originally posted by Lydia:
Zooming in and out while going round and round... did me in. Do drugs.

Seriously. Take Bonine. you dont want to be puking on your dream assignment...

The door will be open but I hope none of my co-workers are looking up!!! :) I just looked Bonine up and it is no longer available in Canada.

tanguera

Nikon D750

10/07/2014 11:20:11 PM · #14

Try non-drowsy Dramamine. Or if you have time, get an Rx for meclazin from your doctor. It's the active ingredient in Bonine