Shots from a plane.

[Swanner Photography]

I got a call to go up in a plane to take some pics for the school district from above. Does anyone have any suggestion for that. I have no idea what settings I should use. Is it gonna be hard to focus. We will be in the air at 10 am so it shouldnt be to bright out side. I am sure I will have to use a faster shutter speed.

All the help I can get will be great .

Thanks

[navcom]

Couple pointers for aerial shots...

1 - bring along a mid-range zoom and a wide angle lens. The wide angle is great for getting both the airplane and the outside to give a perspective of the entire area. For taking pictures of the specific buildings, try something in the 50-100mm range. If you get too wide, you will not get any detail. If you get a super zoom, you will not be able to hold it steady enough to find the building, let alone keep in from blurring.

2 - Clean the window! Not sure what type of plane you are taking but I'm assuming it's a small plane. Wash the window for best photo results. On some Cessna's, you can actually remove the window or remove the screw holding the window down so it will rotate up to the bottom of the wing (top wing a/c). This will put it completely out of your way. Talk with the pilot about these options before departure. Also, if you shoot out an open window, keep it out of the slip stream and wear a strap so it doesn't become a free-fall pancake.

3 - If you have time, practice shooting out a moving car window. It will give you some of the necessary "logistics" practice...how to hold the camera steady, dealing with vibration, where to put your camera bag so it's accessible, etc.

4 - Have the pilot circle your intended photo target and take pictures from all sides. Be aware of where the sun is at. If you are shooting through a window, glare will be more pronounced on an a/c window than a car window as most a/c windows are plexi versus tempered glass.

5 - Have fun! Flying is great!

Hope that helps!

Here's one taken with a 10-17mm lens. Note how you can see everything...but you cannot see the detail on any one thing...

[OsmosisStudios]

Shooting out of a plane is quite possibly the hardest thing Ive had to prepare for. I've done it once from a plane (an Otter) and once from a helicopter (little huey of sorts). It's tricky.

[Swanner Photography]

Thanks Navcon. I am very nevrous about it.

Thanks for all the help.

So on the lens, here are my choices, 17-85 f4-5.6, 50mm,Tamron 28-75 f2.8,and a zoom 70-200 f2.8L.


Os, I have already spoke to the guy and I made sure he knew that I have never done this before so he knows that things may not turn out, which i hope they do.

Thanks you guys.

[navcom]

Originally Posted by Swanner Photography

Thanks Navcon. I am very nevrous about it.

Thanks for all the help.

So on the lens, here are my choices, 17-85 f4-5.6, 50mm,Tamron 28-75 f2.8,and a zoom 70-200 f2.8L.


Os, I have already spoke to the guy and I made sure he knew that I have never done this before so he knows that things may not turn out, which i hope they do.

Thanks you guys.

Take them all if you can. Experiment with what works. I imagine you will use the 28-75 (at the 75 end) for your building shots. You may have to use the 70-200 (at 100mm or so) but that depends on what you are shooting. You can use the 17mm for general area shots like the one I posted. My shot was taken at 12mm.

And don't be nervous. It's a blast! I've been a pilot for many years and never get tired of it (navcom...short for the navigation and communication radios in an aircraft....) I can still remember my first airplane ride. I was nervous as well. On top of it, I'm scared to death of heights!! Yep...I"m a pilot and I'm scared of heights. But it doesn't bother me in the aircraft.

You will have fun! Let us know how it goes!

[Swanner Photography]

Originally Posted by navcom

Take them all if you can. Experiment with what works. I imagine you will use the 28-75 (at the 75 end) for your building shots. You may have to use the 70-200 (at 100mm or so) but that depends on what you are shooting. You can use the 17mm for general area shots like the one I posted. My shot was taken at 12mm.

And don't be nervous. It's a blast! I've been a pilot for many years and never get tired of it (navcom...short for the navigation and communication radios in an aircraft....) I can still remember my first airplane ride. I was nervous as well. On top of it, I'm scared to death of heights!! Yep...I"m a pilot and I'm scared of heights. But it doesn't bother me in the aircraft.

You will have fun! Let us know how it goes!

Well I am been flying since I was 5, but that was in the big planes, when I was little I loved it. Now when I fly in a big plane(southwest) I am ok but I know the dangers. smallest plane I have been on is a 50 seater. I hated it. This one is 4 seats. Geeze. I guess I wont know if I like it until I do it. So I am do it this one time and then go from there. I plan on taking someone with me so If I need him to give me a lens or whatever. to be honest I want him to go for more support than to assist. Lol.

I post some pictures after I am done and if any come out worth a crap.

Thanks for the help!