P3D Re: Aerial Photography

[Eric Goldstein <egoldste@xxxxxx>]

Bill C Walton wrote:

> All of them vibrate (the only time a helicopter doesn't
> vibrate is when it is tied down inside a closed hangar) but all of them
> also have a certain airspeed where the vibration is at a minimum and that
> is the airspeed that one should try use when photographing.

Exactly. This optimal airspeed (it's really optimal velocity because
heading plays a part as well) is a function of the particular craft, the
weather and lift/load conditions on the flight, and so it varies from
day to day. Sounds like anyone'd be lucky to have a pilot as experienced
and photographer-savy as Bill on their Helo shoot. Most of my experience
is with film-making using Jet Rangers and Hughs 500s. The demands of
still shooting are far greater than moving pictures, which masks a lot
of ills. Stereo of course complicates matters even further...

I'm probably blaspheming here as far as Bill's concerned but in many
instances, I think fixed wing's a better choice for still shooting...


Eric G.


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