Aerial Photography Tips

Aerial photography is a valuable commercial skill thatmajor consideration. Before making any photographic
can greatly increase the income of many workingequipment decisions, you must first define how the
photographers. The field of aerial photography canphotos will be used. In most cases, aerial photos will
cover many different types of work, including realbe used for larger prints. Even if you are only
estate photography, government projects toshooting images for newspaper or tabloid
document construction or environmental issues,reproduction, you will want to capture the images in
paparazzi coverage, court case evidence, in additionas large a file size or negative size as possible. If you
to general artistic images taken from aloft.are shooting film, I would suggest no format under 2
Getting started in aerial photography. To get started1/4″ x 2 1/4″. If you want to shoot film
in aerial photography, it is not as difficult as it mayand don't have a larger format camera, borrow or
initially seem. In most cases, having access to anlease one before you schedule the flight. For digital
aircraft of some sort is required. However, there arephotographers, I would recommend using the largest
literally thousands of pilots that are willing to charter afile size available with your model camera. By not
flight for you to accomplish your work. Check withcapturing the images in the highest resolution possible,
your regional or local airport about chartering a flightyou have greatly diminished the ability for additional
for photography. Let them know what and whereuses of these photographs.
you are interested in photographing, and they shouldDetermining the optimal focal length to use, will be
be able point you in the right direction. Based on myinfluenced with the type of aircraft you select, the
experience, be prepared to pay $100-$300 per hoursubject matter you are documenting, and how close
chartering a fixed wing aircraft, depending on youryou are able to get to your subject. From personal
area and the type of aircraft available. For helicopterexperience, I most often use the equivalent of a
rentals, look to pay about 30% more.35mm-50mm lens for the 35mm camera format. You
Best time of day to take aerial photographs. As withwill want to be cautious using a telephoto lens due to
most types of outdoor photography, early morningthe vibration of the aircraft.
and late afternoon time frames will yield the mostBest exposure for aerial photography. In general, I
pleasing photographs. It is at this time that the sun'srecommend using a shutter speed of 1/500 -1/1000.
rays produce warmer colors and longer shadowsThis shutter speed range is sufficient to stop most
which produce more brilliant colors and beautifulaction from a moving aircraft and to minimize aircraft
shadows. The longer shadows associated with thisvibration. While photographing from 1000 feet or
time frame add depth to your photographs, byhigher, the subject will not be moving as quickly as
better defining the contours of land or structures.you think. Choosing the maximum shutter speed,
However, selecting a time of day is also dependentsuch as 1/2000 or higher, basically robs you of depth
on the type of photography you are trying toof field since you need to open up the lens more to
capture. During the middle of the day, the lighting iscompensate for the higher speed. On the subject of
flat which may be better suited to your specificaperture setting, you will want to be in the f/5.6-f/11
needs, i.e., documenting a construction project, orrange for most subjects. For those familiar with
commercial real estate. Understanding the goals ofhyperfocal distances, since the closest subject in
your photographic mission will greatly impact whenyour photograph will be greater than 1000 feet,
you elect to charter a flight.depth of field is not a main concern. Keep in mind the
Best equipment for aerial photography. Selecting themiddle of your aperture range for a particular lens
appropriate equipment for aerial photography is aproduces the sharpest images.