Aerial Photography

KellyCKellyC Registered Users Posts: 129 Major grins
edited June 21, 2009 in Technique
I think I have a good chance of going up in a plane on Tuesday to shoot a property that is being listed by a real estate agent I know. The seller has a plane and wants some aerial photographs of the property, and I was asked to be the photographer:clap

I have a Nikon D90 and 3 lenses, a Nikkor 18-105VR, a NIkkor 70-200VR and a Sigma 105 macro.

All suggestions are welcome as all this is new to me. Should I shoot is sports mode, or aperture mode? I know that if using the VR lenses I should use active mode.

Thanks in advance
Kelly

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,130 moderator
    edited June 21, 2009
    The ideal airplane platform IMO would be a high-wing aircraft with a slow stall speed. Calm winds aloft are more important than wind speed. It is nice to have a plane where either the window or the entire door removes. If you use a low-wing aircraft you may have to do a lot of banking turns.

    The proper lens depends upon the scene and the height above the scene and distance from the subject(s). Generally, faster aperture is a benefit as DOF is usually not a problem. High shutter speed is almost always a benefit.

    If you fly over a populated area I believe you will need to be at 1000 ft or more where rural/unpopulated height is 500 ft.

    Do try to figure the best time of day for shadows.

    I recommend tethering the camera at all times, just in case. Of course, you should always be in a harness or belt.

    A helicopter is generally better than an airplane for a number of reasons, just in case that's a possibility.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • KellyCKellyC Registered Users Posts: 129 Major grins
    edited June 21, 2009
    ziggy53 wrote:
    The ideal airplane platform IMO would be a high-wing aircraft with a slow stall speed. Calm winds aloft are more important than wind speed. It is nice to have a plane where either the window or the entire door removes. If you use a low-wing aircraft you may have to do a lot of banking turns.

    The proper lens depends upon the scene and the height above the scene and distance from the subject(s). Generally, faster aperture is a benefit as DOF is usually not a problem. High shutter speed is almost always a benefit.

    If you fly over a populated area I believe you will need to be at 1000 ft or more where rural/unpopulated height is 500 ft.

    Do try to figure the best time of day for shadows.

    I recommend tethering the camera at all times, just in case. Of course, you should always be in a harness or belt.

    A helicopter is generally better than an airplane for a number of reasons, just in case that's a possibility.

    Ziggy,
    I do not have much choice on the plane, as it is the property owner that is doing the flying, and I assume it is his plane. I was just asked today to take the photo. I assumed that I would need a higher shutter speed and I will probably take the 1st two lenses that I mentioned as I have no idea where the property is.

    When I was younger, I started flying lessons but due to a quickly growing family (we had our 1st set of twins and needed a larger vehicle) I had to quit. I am well aware of small aircraft safety and will definitely stay buckled in. I am looking forward to this very much for I really love to fly, I just hope that the photos turn out. There are no details yet as to the flight time, but the weather is supposed to be great with clear skies and no chance of rain. I just hope that it is not to windy.

    Thanks,
    Kelly
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,130 moderator
    edited June 21, 2009
    KellyC wrote:
    Ziggy,
    I do not have much choice on the plane, as it is the property owner that is doing the flying, and I assume it is his plane. I was just asked today to take the photo. I assumed that I would need a higher shutter speed and I will probably take the 1st two lenses that I mentioned as I have no idea where the property is.

    ...

    Just as long as you understand what is required. The pilot may not have "any" clue what is required and it can get fairly tough to discuss once you're in the air.

    Present my points to the pilot and they should have an idea how to position the airplane to give you the clearest view without the wing obstructing (or spars, in the case of a high-wing).

    If you have to shoot through plexiglass, take some furniture polish and really polish the plexi to get the smoothest surface possible. If you have to shoot through either glass or plexi, use some sort of device to "hood" any internal reflections coming from the camera, lens or cockpit interior. A foam cone is sometimes used or a polarizer can help.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • KellyCKellyC Registered Users Posts: 129 Major grins
    edited June 21, 2009
    ziggy53 wrote:
    Just as long as you understand what is required. The pilot may not have "any" clue what is required and it can get fairly tough to discuss once you're in the air.

    Present my points to the pilot and they should have an idea how to position the airplane to give you the clearest view without the wing obstructing (or spars, in the case of a high-wing).

    If you have to shoot through plexiglass, take some furniture polish and really polish the plexi to get the smoothest surface possible. If you have to shoot through either glass or plexi, use some sort of device to "hood" any internal reflections coming from the camera, lens or cockpit interior. A foam cone is sometimes used or a polarizer can help.

    Thanks Ziggy, will do.

    Kelly
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