Aerial Photography Tips

The tips below are intended for the amateur photographer who is planning on taking photos from a aviation aircraft or at the airshow event, or on a helicopter ride, or a balloon ride.

General Airshow Photography Tips

Number one rule, it really does not matter what airplanes, or helicopters or balloons event you are taking picture of, get a pair of earplug! This will help you work better.
If this a airshow event , carry plenty water with you. Usually airshows always crowded, you do not want to miss the shoots, so spot some nice area, put your tripod, your backpack has to have earplugs, water bottles, lens cleaning cloth, ( you will be appreciate at the end of the day, how much that little cloth work for your camera, how dusty air it was!) , get ready.
If using a digital camera, at least 2 megapixels is recommended.
Bring your tripod. Shorter focal length lenses generally result in sharper images. If using a zoom lens, set it to a "wide angle" focal length .
Use a polarizing filter as well as UV filter. The sky will look much better.
If is possible choose a day with clear skies . Most airshows takes 1- 3 days, if it is rainy or too cloudy , do not bother try taking photos unless you do not mind to see dark images.
Taking photos from an aircraft, small airplane or helicopter
Use a polarizing filter. This will increase color saturation, reflection from windows, and help penetrate through atmospheric haze. Works best at a 90 degree angle to the sun .
If is possible choose a day with clear skies . Most airshows takes 1- 3 days, if is rainy or too cloudy , do not bother try taking photos unless you do not mind to see dark images.
Timing is important. During noon, sun will be so bright, you may enjoy eating your luch that time, rather than fighting with the sun. The sun always wins. Early or late in the day works best.
If you are on the helicopter, carry as much as less stuff with you. Often time, seats are so narrow, moving area so limited, if you have backpack, tripod a lot of equipment ask the pilot where you can store them, definatelly, not in front of you where you sit. Big mistake, do not do that!
For helicopter ride, make sure you camera and all other equipment is secure before opening any window. If you like to open window ask the permission from pilot.
Shooting through an open window will eliminate the problem of reflections, but extreme care should be used.

If you are on the small airplane still check with your pilot before opening any window. Open windows often create higher vibration levels, use your camera strap.
Set your lens focus to infinity, in manual mode. Prepare the camera reafdy before the plane takes off.
Set your exposure to a fast shutter speed. If is possible use your tripod, if is not make sure your hands does not tremble much.
Before plane takes off , or helicopter , learn to use headsets and an intercom to communicate with your pilot.
For hilopter ride, wear a loose pants, a vest, no hat! Vest will carry all your little equippment such as lens cleaner, extra lenses and filters, your back up small camera, etc. Loose pants will give you compfort to move around easy. If it has pockets on the legs, even better. You may put your little note book, voice recorder, pen, etc. there. Forget about your hat, that will couse problem if your nose stuck in the view finder! You may put your hat in your pocket during the flight if you wish.
Please discuss the subject of the photo with your pilot, he or she might suggest good area to take photos from.
Taking photos from a balloon
If you are on a balloon ride, get dress well. A lot of layer. Even in the middle of summer weather gets colder on the air! Most ballooon ride starts early about sun rise, make sure you are rested well the night before. Be cautios of the fire. Try to position yourself away from it.
A tripod will not work in most cases, so you need to trust your legs , and try to not move much. Always use your camera strap on your neck. With sudden move you sure do not want to say goodby to your camera jumping from 2000 feet!
When you take photos from balloon, use UV filter and wide angle lens. Telephoto lens will give you dramatic effect on the trees, scene.
Take a look at Aerial Photograpy Gallery