Tip #3793 - Aerial Photography
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Aerial
Photography
Aerial photography
is a digital image or analogue (film) photograph collected by a camera
on an aeroplane or on a highrise. Aerial photography provides a bird's
eye view of the earth's surface and is used in a variety of applications,
such as mapping, planning, tourism, landcare and environmental management.
A few simple tips can make a difference between someone who has just begun
photography and someone who is well on their way to take pictures like
a professional. Today, I will show you how you can walk this distance
in a few easy steps. Read on!
Don’t
Follow the Rules Blindly
Photography is an
art and is also a craft. The rules only set a framework of how things
work and don’t work, but that doesn’t mean you have to follow
these rules without a thought in the world. In fact, breaking the rules
can make a picture even better. But still, think before you click. Understanding
the rules helps get a better picture. The idea is to get to the stage
where you do some of these things instinctively and that happens when
you start to move away from the rules and become more creative!
Think of Giving
Perspective
Low altitude photography
can give off a unique perspective on the world. For example, how about
taking an aerial picture of an amusement park that gives a wide angled
view to every visitor from the south? The layout of the various buildings
within that view become more obvious. Strong oblique sunshine accentuates
the fort-like structures and the earth mound the park sits on. This makes
the park stand out more from the foreground.
Places and Patience
What kind of pictures
should you take? Well, what looks good from the air is something you have
to learn. Sometimes the simplest objects can look stunning, but stunning
objects can still look boring. Look at other people's galleries and translate
them into ideas in your locality. One combination that works is the mix
of an impossible angle, a simple subject and a strong color. Yes, the
roof really is that shade of green! You will spend several hours on a
shoot, so pick your subjects carefully and be patient. Wait for the right
wind and weather, even the right time of day for sun angles, before returning
for the shoot. It’s always useful to keep a list of potential sites
on hand too, so you can opt for plan B if plan A isn’t working out
due to bad weather or lighting, for example.
Look for Symmetry
There is a pleasure
in order and symmetry; even if the symmetry is made up of logically unconnected
parts of the picture. They do however, help lead you between the different
parts of the picture. Generally, the landscape format is considered more
soothing and the portrait layout is more tense. Most automatic cameras
have scene modes that showcase the symmetry through lines. Just look at
these lines on your scene mode before composing your shots. This leads
to creating a line in the picture. More conventionally, it could be a
road, track, fence or wall that will add a "come here" look
to your picture. Remember, these templates can be mirrored and inversed
to suit your image. Also, the lines could be any feature on the image
or indeed, they could be features from the foreground and background that
happen to be in line. It could be a street light, a hill, a river or even
a row of trees.
Sun, Shade
and Impossible Angles
The sun is an aerial
photographer’s best friend. It accentuates height through casting
shadows and offering shading on vertical surfaces. It allows for improved
contrast and 3D effects through strong shadows. Try to keep the whole
shadow in the frame and if possible, use the morning or evening light
for long shadows and richer colors. Don't be frightened to shoot with
the sun at 90 degrees to the camera. With the more interesting angles
directly into the sun, it's difficult to control exposure. One more rule:
you shouldn't cut shadows off the edge of the frame, even though it's
sometimes difficult to achieve. But no harm in trying!
Also, attempt to take
horizontal close-ups of say, a tower. Show enough of the tower to set
it in context and set the camera's position in an unattainable space.
Along with angles, let me give you a word of advice about the horizon.
Keeping it flat is difficult, but this can make all the difference. Although
the horizon can be reset in the computer, gross errors result in severe
loss, as the picture is cropped back to square. With the horizon in shot,
try not to break it with an occasional tree or building, unless they are
on the horizon. Even in images without the horizon visible, there are
no excuses. Try to keep verticals vertical, unless the content of the
picture is abstract and there is no natural sense of "up." For
example, the image is looking straight down.
Neat and Tidy
Try not to cut shadows
off at the edge of the shot and try not to add intrusions into the frame
either. Keep the edges plain and simple and keep the areas of interest
within the frame. Sometimes, if you are taking a picture of say, a castle,
the stone wall and gate could be an unwelcome addition to the shot. Paths
and roads can be used to lead you into the picture, but the gate could
be a distraction. Try to keep the shot tidy and don't leave things lying
around. But also, ensure your shadow is not included in the shot. It’s
normally considered unforgivable, unless you have an artistic point to
make. And if you do want your shadow to be there, try and appear like
a hunched figure. Also, there is usually enough time to look up as you
press the shutter and to look down after the picture is taken.
Celebrate
the Difference
Just one more rule
of thumb. The difference between a good and bad photographer is that the
good photographer doesn't show you their bad pictures. Also, always carry
a stable tripod for this kind of landscape work. Spend a long time selecting
the scene and composing the picture. When you compose the picture, you
do the best you can and then shoot off lots of digital images. Then once
back on the computer, you can use your instinct to select, crop, edit
and stitch an image. Purists will argue that the post-processing stage
on the computer isn't in the spirit of photography, but remember, it is
all a part of the art, craft and fun of aerial photography.
Enjoy!
~ Zahid H. Javali
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