Re: Aerial Photography?

[evphoto@xxxxxxxxxx]

Q: "Does anyone have experience shooting regular aerial stills for large
enlargements?  What is required?  Is camera stabilization required?  How
much do choppers typically charge?  Do photographers charge a lot for it?"

a1 & a2.) Pentax 6x7 works great, but any non-bellowed medium  (or large)  
format will do well. lock focus at  infinity with gaffer tape (NOT cheap,  
gummy, screw up your camera duct tape.) use 200 speed or slower film. you can  
get away with using 35mm ( I have done aerial photography  for billboards  
with my 35mm Nikons,) but you will need to use Velvia or Kodachrome 64 or 25.  
Loss of film speed is counterbalanced by using wider "prime" f-stops.

a3.) Yes, rent and get instructions on using a A Kenyon gyro stabilizer,  
either the KS-4 or KS-6. Despite what anyone says, there is a major  
difference in picture quality, especially if you are going to make big  
enlargements.

a4.) My advice is: Don't fly in anything smaller than a Bell Jet Ranger or  
Long Ranger, or the equivalent. No.1, most  pilots experienced in aerial  
photography fly this size of helicopter; No.2 you need the room; No.3.) there  
seems to be a correlation between how much something costs and how well it  
is maintained. Find an experienced pilot with references. Make sure you can  
remove the door. Get a really good safety harness (not just a belt.) that you  
can tie to the frame of the aircraft. As for cost expect to pay $650 to  
$750.00 (maybe more depoending on where you are) per hour. Usually time after  
the first hour is prorated in quarter hour segments.

a5.) Yes. You are risking your life, so charge at least your full rate. I  
know of other photographers who charge a premium.

For more info, check out Harvey Lloyd's "Aerial Photography" published by  
Amphoto.