Mastering the Sky: Essential Tips for Aspiring Aerial Photographers

Mastering the Sky: Essential Tips for Aspiring Aerial Photographers

Introduction

Let’s be real: aerial photography is downright addictive! Once you’ve tasted the thrill of capturing the world from above, it’s hard to come back down to earth. Whether you’re zipping around with the latest drone or leaning out of a helicopter with your camera ready, the view from up high is like nothing else. But it’s not just about the adrenaline rush or having fancy gear. To truly master aerial photography, you need a blend of skill, careful planning, and a solid understanding of the unique challenges that come with shooting from the sky. In this guide, we’ll dive into essential tips and tricks to help you nail those jaw-dropping shots, whether you’re a drone pilot or an aerial ace in a plane.

We’ll cover everything from selecting the right gear and mastering drone settings to shooting from planes and helicopters, handling tricky conditions, and working seamlessly with your pilot. So buckle up, and let’s get ready to soar!

Getting Started with Drone Photography

Drones have transformed aerial photography, making it accessible to photographers at all levels. Before you take to the skies, here are a few foundational tips:

Pick the Right Drone

For those new to aerial photography, consider starting with a drone that offers a balance of advanced features and ease of use, like the DJI Mavic 3 or Mavic Air 3. These drones are equipped with high-quality cameras and excellent stabilization, helping you capture sharp and stunning images with minimal effort. And hey, if you’re looking for a bargain, don’t overlook the Mavic 2 series—they’re still solid drones that can get the job done!

That said, in my opinion, it was the release of the Mavic 3 with its Hasselblad sensor that truly made a consumer drone a real option for work like mine. The Mavic 3’s sensor offers adequate color depth, which is fantastic for editing and achieving the kind of vibrant, detailed work I love to create. Plus, it delivers the level of detail needed to print images at larger sizes without losing quality. So, whether you’re just starting out or looking to upgrade, the Mavic 3 is definitely worth considering if you’re serious about your aerial photography.

Mastering Drone Settings

While drones provide substantial automation, understanding how to adjust settings can significantly impact your results. Thanks to the gimbals and stabilization on drones like the Mavic series, you can lower your shutter speed more than you would in traditional aerial photography. Unlike shooting from an aircraft, where speeds upwards of 1/1000th of a second are often necessary, drones allow you to go much lower when stationary. I sometimes reduce my shutter speed to 1/100 when using ND filters, but it’s generally best to keep it above this to ensure sharpness. In some cases, I’ve even shot as low as 1/30 when I didn’t want to land to remove the ND filter while shooting video, and you can still get usable images.

And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can really push these drones! I’ve gone down to as low as 3 seconds when photographing lightning—the light can freeze most of the action, creating some stunning effects. You can also experiment with multiple exposures, using high shutter speeds to freeze parts of the image while letting movement blur in others with lower shutter speeds, then blend them in post-production. But I’m getting a bit off track now! Let’s focus on what I use to achieve my work.

Keeping ISO Low and Finding the Balance: Just like with any camera, keeping your ISO low is crucial for capturing clean, sharp images. Sure, AI noise reduction programs in Adobe and Topaz are downright incredible these days, but it’s always best to get it right in-camera if you can. Leaning on these programs can be avoided if you balance your settings in most cases, though sometimes it’s just impossible to get around it. This means finding the right balance between shutter speed, ISO, and aperture, just like you would when shooting from an aircraft. Remember, you want to keep most lenses, including the Mavic 3 Hasselblad and others, in their “sweet spot”—not stopped too far up or down, as this can cause soft corners and other defects. Often, this means stepping out of full auto mode and using aperture priority, shutter priority, or even full manual to squeeze the best results out of your drone. It’s all about finding that perfect combo for the conditions you’re in!

And don’t forget to shoot in “RAW” or “RAW+JPEG” formats to get the highest quality images. If you’re doing video, learning how to grade D-Log is definitely worth it—but we’ll save that for another article!

Pre-Flight Rituals

Every flight should begin with a comprehensive pre-flight check. Ensure your drone’s batteries are fully charged, the firmware is up to date, and you’re compliant with local airspace regulations. While it might seem tedious, these steps are crucial for both safety and success.

To help with checking flight regulations for drones in Australia, here are two useful resources:

• CASA approved “Ok2fly” website: This app helps you determine where you can and cannot fly your drone based on Australian aviation safety regulations. It’s a must-have for any drone operator in Australia to ensure compliance.
• OpenSky by Wing: This is another great tool for checking no-fly zones, temporary flight restrictions, and other important flight information. It offers a comprehensive overview of where you can safely fly your drone across Australia.

Shooting from Planes and Helicopters: Cameras in Action

While drones are becoming more and more a part of my workflow, capturing aerials from planes and helicopters is still my preferred method. It’s how I’ve captured over 90% of my imagery. There’s something about being up there in the sky, feeling the wind and the freedom to move that just can’t be matched. I guess I’ll always be a child of the sky!

Capturing aerial photos from planes and helicopters offers a different set of opportunities and challenges compared to drones. The higher altitudes and flexibility allow for expansive shots, but the conditions can be more demanding. Here’s how to prepare:

Selecting the Right Gear

While I prefer using a Medium Format camera for its unmatched detail and dynamic range, any modern camera—whether mirrorless or DSLR—will suffice, provided it has good ISO capabilities. This is particularly important when shooting during the golden hours, just after sunrise or before sunset when light is softer but often dimmer. And why do you need a camera that can handle higher ISOs? Well, imagine you’re flying at 200 km/h in a bumpy old Cessna at 7 am with the sun just coming up. To get a good hit rate for sharp images, you need to crank up that shutter speed—sometimes as high as 1/1000 or even 1/1500, depending on how turbulent the ride is. Since we love keeping the aperture in the sweet spot, the last setting we can adjust is ISO. That’s why having gear that delivers beautiful images at, say, ISO 800 or more, can be a lifesaver for those early morning shoots.

And if you’re in a helicopter, you might think it would be a smoother ride, but if it’s a piston-driven R22 or R44, the engine vibration can still shake things up in the cabin, meaning you need high shutter speeds to counteract it. Sometimes, I can get away with 1/500th in those helicopters, but always be careful—fire off some quick test shots and check the back of your camera. Turbine-driven helicopters do offer a far smoother platform, but you might need to mortgage your house to hire one, so they’re not too common!

I often shoot with focal lengths ranging from 35mm all the way up to 200mm, but I’d say the majority of my imagery has been captured using something equivalent to an 85mm prime lens. These days, the zoom lenses in the mirrorless ranges are incredible—you don’t really sacrifice much detail for the flexibility of zoom. So, a lens that gives you a bit of range, like a 24-70mm or a 70-200mm, is fantastic. Just be prepared to work that zoom ring! Aerial photography moves fast, and you might only get one chance to nail the perfect composition, especially if you’re racing against the clock.

Selecting the Right Aircraft

Access to an aircraft that allows a door to be taken off is crucial for optimal aerial photography. While shooting through a window is possible if the window lifts up, it’s really a pain and far from ideal. If you want the best shooting conditions, a doors-off Cessna is preferred. Finding a pilot and an aircraft that has the certification to fly with doors off can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Helicopters are generally easier to have doors removed, but they always come at a higher cost.

Also, make sure to choose an aircraft with a top-mounted wing to avoid obstructing your views. The average cost for a Cessna in Australia is around $800 an hour, while an R44 helicopter can set you back about $1,400 an hour. These rates can fluctuate depending on the location, remoteness, or popularity of the area you’re shooting in, so it’s good to check ahead and budget accordingly!

And here’s a tip: sharing an aircraft with a fellow photographer can really help cut costs. If you’ve got a doors-off Cessna or helicopter, there’ll be plenty of room for two people to shoot unobstructed. It’s a win-win situation for your wallet and your shooting flexibility!

Communicating with Your Pilot: The Key to a Successful Shoot

A successful aerial photography session hinges on clear communication with your pilot. Before you take off, it’s essential that your pilot understands the shots you’re aiming for and the specific areas you want to cover.

Use Visual Aids

Utilize tools like Google Maps, screenshots, or printed maps to help your pilot visualize your flight path and the locations you wish to photograph. Clearly marking these spots and discussing them in detail before takeoff can save time and ensure that you’re able to focus on getting the perfect shot without unnecessary detours.

Be Precise

When you’re on the clock in the air, efficiency is key. Providing precise instructions allows your pilot to plan the most effective flight route, minimizing time spent traveling between locations and maximizing your shooting time. This preparation can make the difference between a good shoot and a great one.

Planning and Execution: Your Blueprint for Success

Successful aerial photography is the result of meticulous planning and careful execution. Here are some tips to help you prepare:

Scouting Locations

Before your flight, spend time scouting your locations. Tools like Google Earth can provide a comprehensive view of the terrain, allowing you to identify interesting patterns, vibrant colors, and unique compositions. Golden hours can really add depth to aerial photographs with long shadows and soft golden light illuminating the edges of sand dunes or salt farm access roads. But when it comes to shooting crystal clear waters, like those at Shark Bay or other coastal areas, you’ll want to let the sun come up a bit more. This helps to set the color in the water off and really get that deep color depth. Be careful not to shoot too late, though, as reflections can become an issue over bodies of water.

If I’m focusing on blue or emerald waters, I like to shoot about 2-3 hours after sunrise or the same again before sunset. Just keep in mind that most areas on the West Australian coastline get more wind in the afternoons, which can add extra texture to the water but might create issues in other areas. So, make sure you’ve got a clear idea of what you want from the location!

Weather Watch

Weather conditions play a significant role in aerial photography. While clear skies offer the best visibility, a few clouds can add depth and drama to your shots. However, also consider factors like high temperatures and uneven terrain, such as mountains and hills, which can cause additional turbulence. Assessing the topography of your location and understanding how it might interact with heat and flight conditions can help you avoid a bumpy ride and capture sharper images.

Safety First

Above all, prioritize safety. Follow all regulations and guidelines, whether you’re flying a drone or shooting from a helicopter. Secure your equipment, wear your seatbelt, and always heed the pilot’s instructions. When flying drones, stay within legal altitude limits and maintain a safe distance from people, animals, and structures.

Conclusion

Aerial photography combines technical skill with creative vision, offering a unique way to see and capture the world. With the right preparation, equipment, and mindset, you can create breathtaking images that provide a fresh perspective from above. Whether you’re new to drones or an experienced photographer ready to take to the skies, these tips will help you elevate your photography game. Ready to embark on your own aerial adventure? Check out my latest collection of aerial prints on my website, and feel free to share your own experiences—I’d love to hear about your journey into the clouds!

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