AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Great images are often taken from unusual perspectives, which is what makes Aerial photography so intriguing, but also difficult.

WHY CAN AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY BE DIFFICULT?

Photos shot in the air can be very two-dimensional. This is because the distance reduces the shadows and subtle colour variations, which create depth in an image. For this reason, it is best to shoot aerial images one hour after sunrise and before sunset, when the shadows are longer. Bright sunny days are also preferred as the light tends to be more flat on overcast days.

Avoid camera shakes

Camera shake is another major consideration as airplanes and helicopters produce a lot of vibration. You cannot brace yourself against the aircraft or use a tripod to prevent the shake as the entire aircraft is in motion. There are, however, three things you can do to conquer vibration:

  1. To freeze motion and reduce camera shake, use a high ISO (100-200) and a fast shutter speed (1/500 or faster).
  2. When using a telephoto lens, keep in mind that the magnification will also magnify motion. The best results are shoot with a 100mm lens. If you want to capture a certain object you’ll need a longer lens out to 200mm, but unfortunately the longer the focal length the slower the speed requiring a longer shutter speed so don’t go beyond this focal length.
  3. Use a very large aperture, as there is no need for depth of field when shooting from the air.

Reduce chances of reflections

To reduce the chances of window reflections destroying your image, it is important to check the windows for stains before entering the airplane or helicopter. To avoid reflection in the glass when shooting, use a UV filter, avoid wearing bright clothes, and get as close as possible to the window.

Make the most of the moment

The last tip I have for capturing a perfectly sharp, and well composed, aerial photograph, is to be prepared. Your time in the air is short, so make sure you have the right lens and camera settings and plenty of card memory. Look for patterns or anything that captures your attention and shoot consistently. The image below was captured by quickly framing and taking shots in rapid succession during a 30min flight over the Great Barrier Reef.