Aerial Photography (PA)

Tips

• Plan exact locations/subject matter to photograph. Make a list of the spots you plan to shoot, mark them on a map. Plan the position of the aircraft, circling will be useful to gain as many shots as possible.

• Finding a Pilot/Helicopter

Will not likely get good shots by flying via commercial airline/helicopter. And by good, I mean different. Will need a pilot willing to fly low and slow, flying in circles etc. So, will need to ask your pilot to acquire permission to fly in the determined areas, give details of where you need to go and how high/different angles needed. 

Good to have some background knowledge of flying yourself, just to be aware of what is possible/safe.

Helicopter with two engines, incase one goes the other is for back-up.

• Safety:

Camera strap

-        No use of lenses/filters/attachments that could be pulled off by 100mph wind.

-       All camera attachments and equipment inside the aircraft and out of the wind stream.

-       Before take off, ensure all gear is secured and within reach.

-       Only the pilot comes in contact with any aircraft controls/equipment.

• Comfort:

-       Prepare for possibilities of motion sickness.

-       Looking through the viewfinder and flying maneuvers can increase this risk.

-       Before flight discuss the importance and methods of immediately reporting any indications of motion sickness.

• Camera Damage:

-       Avoid placing the camera in the wind: it can result with impact upon the aircraft, dust can be blown into the camera optics and will effect all future images.

-       Be prepared for sudden movements/turbulence, it can result with impact upon the aircraft.

• Motion Blur

 Being the main cause of ruined photographs from aerial photography, which cannot be fixed with post-production editing, it is importance to prevent these issues.

-       Use “Program Auto” settings, or settings that favor shutter speed over aperture.

-       Do not shoot slower than 1/250^th second.

-       Keep the camera inside the aircraft out of the wind stream, grip firmly and use a strap.

-       It is a good idea to set the camera to ‘continuous/burst’ shooting mode, so many photos will be taken whilst holding down the button.

-       Snap in bursts of four or more, so at least one may be steady between lens oscillations.

-       Holding the camera so it touches nothing but your hand can result in steadier images.

-       Brace yourself on the aircraft.

-       Favor wide, zoom angle for less motion blur and more lens sharpness.

• Haze

Haze you don’t notice while flying.

-       Use a UV filter and do not shoot through a closed door/window.

-       Shoot away from the sun to reduce haze.

-       Distance = haze. So nearby/downward subjects will have less haze.

-       With brighter days, use a polarizing filter.

• Zoom

Use zoom sparingly, try to shoot several photos of each scene with different amounts of zoom.

-       More zoom = amplified motion, reduced lens sharpness, increased lens aberrations.

• Exposure

-       Exposure bracketing to improve odds of best exposure.

-       Use full-frame or ‘area’ metering mode to reduce over/under exposure.

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• Lens

-       General rule is to have the fastest lens that you can get.

-       Telephoto zoom lens: for close to the ground shots, to isolate the subject/close the frame. However, they are difficult to handle due to their weight and size.

-       Wide-angle lens: great for landscape/sea/sky views.

-       Zoom lens: great for first aerial experiences, for the ability to try different compositions during the flight – both close-up and panoramic.

-       Prime lens: will take a sharper photograph, however requires planning of flight position and visual thought process.



http://photography.tutsplus.com/tutorials/aerial-photography-tips-for-your-first-flying-experience--photo-5071

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Aerial_photography

http://hapfashion.com/photography/digital-aerial-photography-techniques/

http://jasonhawkes.com/Behind-the-lens/BBC-Interview/1/