Aerial Photography
- Thread starter pontifex
- Start date
DrPizza
Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
I'd be interested as well... one of my dream purchases is a powered parachute. It seems that a lot of people are interested in getting quality pictures of their farms, etc. It'd be nice to make a little side money to pay for gas 
Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'd be interested as well... one of my dream purchases is a powered parachute. It seems that a lot of people are interested in getting quality pictures of their farms, etc. It'd be nice to make a little side money to pay for gas
Powered parachute? What is that, like a jet pack?
DrPizza
Administrator Elite Member Goat Whisperer
It's a "relatively" inexpensive way to fly... You sit on a tricycle type of vehicle with a big fan behind you, pulling a parachute. You can be in the air for well under 10k. here's some googled pictures... you'll probably recognize them when you see them
It just seems to me that it would be relatively easy to take photos from up there... you're moving fairly slowly, no windows in the way. (heck, no floor in the way as far as that goes.)
edit: heck, skip that link... go here first and play the video halfway down the page... Oh, and if the engine dies... you just float back down. Most of the injuries are caused by running into power lines (stupidity), and from landing with bad wind (poor planning.)
Well, I've never done aerial photography and never will because I'm afraid to fly, but I have talked to those who have and I'll throw some things out there as I remember them, it's been a while.
First, know some things about the plane so you'll have a better idea of what kind of setup you'll need. You don't want to be fiddling around trying to change lenses, filters, etc. especially if you're shooting through an open or removed window, and because you'll want to take a lot of photos and may not have a lot of time.
It's really difficult to shoot through the window because no matter how clean it is, the scratches and dents in the plexiglass will show up. It also makes a CP useless because it exacerbates the problem. If you have to shoot through the window it's best to shoot in RAW and clean up a lot of the problems later.
If you are in a low-winged aircraft, wide angle lenses will get a lot of the aircraft in the shot. The guy said he used a long lens, but I can't remember which one.
Haze can be a major problem, but a filter or CP will help if you're shooting without the window in the way.
IS is a plus, but you'll have to keep the shutter speed up for the bouncing around, he said he could get pics at 1/500th or 1/640th, but you'll have to figure it out when you get up there because the conditions can vary so much.
The bouncing around and concentrating on looking through the viewfinder can combine to make you feel airsick, so might want to take something beforehand.
Something about if it's a single prop, don't shoot toward the front of the plane because the wash can mess with your images.
If you're shooting with the sun behind you, you have to watch out for the shadow of the plane getting in the photo.
If you're shooting without the window or with an open one, you have to take some precautions beforehand. Anything that's on the camera can go flying off pretty easily if they're not tightly attached. He said he never used a lens hood for this reason. Same thing with glasses, either don't wear them if you don't absolutely have to, or use a tight strap if you do. Get ear protection for the wind. Have your largest memory card in and formatted before you start so you don't have to be changing out. It can get cold up there depending on your altitude so you may want to wear some thin gloves. And of course, DON'T DROP THE CAMERA.
DOF is not a problem up there, but if you can get some shadows with the buildings it will give your photos more detail.
That's about all I can remember right now. Good luck, and be sure to let us see your photos.
First, know some things about the plane so you'll have a better idea of what kind of setup you'll need. You don't want to be fiddling around trying to change lenses, filters, etc. especially if you're shooting through an open or removed window, and because you'll want to take a lot of photos and may not have a lot of time.
It's really difficult to shoot through the window because no matter how clean it is, the scratches and dents in the plexiglass will show up. It also makes a CP useless because it exacerbates the problem. If you have to shoot through the window it's best to shoot in RAW and clean up a lot of the problems later.
If you are in a low-winged aircraft, wide angle lenses will get a lot of the aircraft in the shot. The guy said he used a long lens, but I can't remember which one.
Haze can be a major problem, but a filter or CP will help if you're shooting without the window in the way.
IS is a plus, but you'll have to keep the shutter speed up for the bouncing around, he said he could get pics at 1/500th or 1/640th, but you'll have to figure it out when you get up there because the conditions can vary so much.
The bouncing around and concentrating on looking through the viewfinder can combine to make you feel airsick, so might want to take something beforehand.
Something about if it's a single prop, don't shoot toward the front of the plane because the wash can mess with your images.
If you're shooting with the sun behind you, you have to watch out for the shadow of the plane getting in the photo.
If you're shooting without the window or with an open one, you have to take some precautions beforehand. Anything that's on the camera can go flying off pretty easily if they're not tightly attached. He said he never used a lens hood for this reason. Same thing with glasses, either don't wear them if you don't absolutely have to, or use a tight strap if you do. Get ear protection for the wind. Have your largest memory card in and formatted before you start so you don't have to be changing out. It can get cold up there depending on your altitude so you may want to wear some thin gloves. And of course, DON'T DROP THE CAMERA.
DOF is not a problem up there, but if you can get some shadows with the buildings it will give your photos more detail.
That's about all I can remember right now. Good luck, and be sure to let us see your photos.
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