Aerial Photography - Useful Tips For Shooting From Above

Although there are many uses for aerial photography, its origins are in military purposes and surveillance. This has since expanded to include utilization in environmental studies, land planning, movie production, and archaeology. Hobbyists and commercial artists have also recently caught on to the wonders of aerial photography.

Aerial Photography – Shooting From Above

When you are an aerial photography enthusiast, there are a few basics that you should always follow in taking pictures. ISO 100 film is best for outdoor photographs, especially those shot in bright sunlight. If you do not have a steady hand, do not prop the camera against the window or the wall of the aircraft or aerial vehicle. With airplanes in particular, the entire vehicle is vibrating and moving so your photographs will come out unsteady as well.

Do not try to shoot through a window. No matter how clear the window is, even if scratches and dents are not visible by the naked eye, the clarity is incomparable with a photograph taken through an opening in the aircraft. If you want to avoid reflections, a lens hood can be your best friend in aerial photography. While you're up there in the air, don't scrimp on film and take as many pictures as you can. If you shoot with a digital camera, bring extra memory so that you can maximize your aerial photography opportunity.

Aerial photography experts always advise beginners to shoot pictures as if they are firing a pistol. Hold your breath and then press the shutter instead of punching the button to take the photograph. Look through your viewfinder to see how the subjects will look, which should ideally fill at least half the frame. One of the most common mistakes is that there is simply too much acreage in photographs taken by beginners, but this can be improved with experience in aerial photography.