Have you ever wondered how people have captured some amazing pictures from the sky? There is actually a lot of thought and planning that goes into it instead of just simply sitting in an aircraft and snapping a bunch of random pictures.
If you follow these tips provided by Charm City Helicopters, you will be set up for success on your next aerial photography adventure!
1. Time of Day
When you are planning your photography, make sure you are considering the time of the day. There are many different factors that can contribute to how your photo turns out, weather, altitude/air pressure, lighting, and more.
It is important to properly plan ahead and make sure you account for everything. All of these weather related factors can positively or negatively affect things like:
- Light sharpness or softness
- Sun angles
- Photo clarity
- Device/equipment functionality
- And more!
If you just go up and take pictures, will you get great shots? Odds are you will probably get a few, but if you have a particular photo(s) in mind, you’re going to want to plan ahead for it.
2. Minimizing Vibrations
Depending on the aircraft you are using to take pictures, some are more likely to vibrate more than others. Small aircrafts and helicopters tend to vibrate more simply because they are lighter in weight. Aircrafts that vibrate more can cause your photos to be blurrier than if you were taking pictures in a heavier aircraft. However, there are solutions to alleviating this issue.
- Image stabilizing lenses
- Do not rest camera on window sill
- Make sure lenses is not touching window
- Point lens through window openings without touching plane
Keep in mind, you will still be able to capture great photos through a small aircraft or helicopter, just be sure to keep some of these tips in mind.
3. Choosing the Right Lens
Having the right lens for your aerial photography could quite possibly be the most important thing to consider when you are trying to snap from the sky. When it comes to camera lenses, there are plenty out there to choose from. Each of which, specialize in or carry out specific functionalities that are better than others. Picking a camera lens mainly boils down to what type of pictures you are trying capture. Some different types of camera lenses are:
- Standard – Mid-range focal length and have an angle of view around the same angle as a human eye.
- Macro – These lenses are ones that specifically designed for close-up photography.
- Telephoto – These have a long focal length. They will provide you a high level of magnification and better for taking photos from moderate to far distances.
- Kit Lenses – Typically come bundled with other lenses. Viewed as a “starter pack” but is generally a cheaper way to get started.
- Wide Angle – Just like it sounds, these lenses are used to capture a larger and wider angle of view than a standard lens.
4. Safety is Top Priority
When you are up in an aircraft, safety is your top priority. Attempting to snap the “perfect picture” is not worth jeopardizing your safety. It is also crucial that you equip your camera for safety as well.
It’s important that nothing falls from the aircraft when you are up in the air. Whether you are bringing just your phone, camera, or other equipment, be sure that you have all of the necessary items to secure them all. There are plenty of products out there that will allow you to do this properly. For extra measures, you should not only have your camera attached to your body but to the aircraft as well. This will provide you added safety as well as an extra stabilizer.
5. Include the Helicopter/Aircraft
During your aerial photography adventure, be sure to snap some photos of the aircraft, the pilot, and a combination of both when you are up in the sky! Not only do these make pictures to commemorate your experience but also provides perspective.
When you’re taking pictures from the sky, it’s quite fascinating to snap some aerial shots with parts of the aircraft in the frame. This really shows perspective of how high up in the air you are and if you bring multiple lenses, this would be the time to swap yours out for the short range pictures.
6. Communication is Key
It is crucial that you are constantly communicating with your pilot. This way, they know what you are trying to achieve and can properly adjust. Try to learn the language of the aircraft you are in and how to correctly convey that to the pilot.
It would be a good idea to go over all communication guidelines with your pilot before you are up in the air. This will allow you to maximize your aerial photography experience and minimize miscommunication, missed opportunities, and more.
7. Choosing the Right Angle and Orientation
Capturing photos from the air is an amazing experience. It’s really easy to get caught up in the moment and simply forget to rotate your camera around at times. Is it absolutely vital that you take certain pictures in a particular orientation? In short, no, however utilizing different angles and orientation will provide you with a better finished product.
Having a large and diverse set of pictures gives you more options to choose from if you want to make prints of your experience. It also may be a good idea to capture the same image from both angles in order to provide some more perspective.
Be sure to consider all of these guidelines when you are planning for your next aerial photography adventure. If you plan this experience for Baltimore and the surrounding areas, be sure to contact us at Charm City Helicopters!