aerial photography question...

O

ondawan

Active member
Having the oportunity to shoot from planes i am wondering if any1 has some do's and dont's or appropriate website links which could inform me on shooting from a plane.
Particular airplanes (i may get a a choice), feasible equipment, stuff to think about or to take with in the airplane etc...
thx
 
Re: aerial photography question...

what kind of aircraft will it be? (jet/prop, helicopter/fixed wing, civil/military, standard/prepared for aerial photography)
The type of aircraft determines what kind of equipment to use. We had the chance to use a Learjet recently that was equipped with two periscopes for aerial photography/videography, really nice.
 
Re: aerial photography question...

it totally changes based on what your flying in.

the most common light single is the cessna 150/172/180 etc.

those are great because they are relatively slow/stable & have big windows that open plus the wing is a "high wing" meaning it is on top so it doesn' obstruct your view.

my personal favorite is a grumman albatross because you can stand up in it and there is a huge half door that opens on either side.

i shoot from a mooney sometime as well and that is the worst, it is very small, has no window on the passenger side and the pilots window is about 3x5 inches and it is down almost by your waist.

matthew
 
Re: aerial photography question...

Matthew,
I second your view on the Mooney, the only good this is, that the pilot I am flying with lets me sit in the "driver seat" while he controls the airplane from the right seat.
Still that small window is kind of a problem though...
 
Re: aerial photography question...

i have a small liipstick camera that i borrowed from a friend and we mounted it under the plane and got some great footage.

it gives a whole new perspective when you can see the landing gear go up and the runway drop off!

matthew
 
Re: aerial photography question...

I use a SuperCub and drop down the right side window/door.

Some tips:

1.) If you plan to speed up or slow down the video in post, be sure to shoot on 60i.

2.) Earplugs

3.) If you are going to have the window open, you may need goggles. I wore sunglasses.

4.) OIS

5.) 1/60 Shutter

6.) Auto Iris

7.) Manual Focus

8.) A Prayer

9.) I am sure the pilot knows the best flying conditions in your area, but be sure to discuss flight plan and routes, etc BEFORE you take off.

10.) Try to shoot early in the morning or late in the evening---you get that nice light and calm skies.
 
Re: aerial photography question...

What you're shooting will help inform your decision on what plane. If you are paying for it, then you'll almost certainly end up in a light single and that will be expensive enough. If you are shooting air to air, you probably want a low wing - Piper Cherokee or similar. If air to ground, the Cessna 172 AKA "Skyhawk" will do for you, although the 175 "Cardinal" has the advantage of no wing strut at all to get in your way, but not a whole lot were made, thus are harder to find. The 172 on the other hand is the most produced aircraft in the world and there's a reason for that. They're steady and practically fool-proof.

If you are going to do serious air to ground photography, ask around your local airports and see if you can find a plane with a camera port, which is basically just a whole in the floor. Failing that, it's actually not that much of a problem to have an airplane mechanic take the door off. Just remember to use your seatbelt.

You can and should go to the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, AOPA
web site. http://www.aopa.org/ They have discussion boards there and most pilots, like most DVXusers are a good natured lot.
 
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