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Sharing the view… Ray Wilkinson explains how to improve your aerial photographic skills. From a picture you’re happy to put on Facebook, to one you are happy to put on your wall…
here are many reasons why we fly, but a major one must be the unique perspective we get of the world from being high above it. As we enjoy it so much, many of us want to share it, so not only do we take friends, we also take photographs. However, if we are to be a safe and conscientious pilot, and a half-decent photographer, we need give both activities the attention they deserve, I realise that I’m preaching (mostly) to the converted, but it’s important to keep yourself safe when taking photographs from an aircraft. It simply isn’t going to be possible to fly an aircraft, keep an adequate lookout and take photographs on your own. You cannot maintain sufficient focus on everything at once, and that’s the behaviour that mid-airs and infringements are made of. Use a suitably qualified P2 (or P1) so that, between you, you can remain clear of controlled airspace unless you have a clearance to enter it, keep an effective lookout for traffic, monitor the aircraft systems and maintain VFR. Always agree between you who is flying the aircraft, and make sure that he or she doesn’t get drawn into the photography beyond putting the aircraft where it needs to
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Above The weir at Marlow, on the Thames. Above right Mounting a GoPro on the outside of the aircraft allows you to include part of the aircraft in the shot. Right The rolling shutter effect makes the propeller appear to have more blades than it actually has, and for them to appear to be detached from the propeller hub. Photo: Rich Milliron
be. Remember the ‘500ft and alight clear’ rules as well, don’t be tempted to get that little bit closer in the interests of better images. Many major events, such as the F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone, will have temporary airspace restrictions in place, so check your Notam carefully. The CAA is taking an increasingly hard line on infringements these days. Always remember that safety is paramount, and it is especially important to always prioritise flying over photography.
Practice makes perfect
Good aerial photography is like most other activities in life, it requires practice and the right equipment to produce decent results. This article is intended to cover the key points that will enable you to take pictures you are proud of, some of the pointers are subtle, others are blindingly obvious. However, even the blindingly obvious may not be so until they are pointed out. I also aim to explain some of the pitfalls and the tricks, to get better photos. Just as on the ground, there’s a wide range of suitable
22 | LIGHT AVIATION | June 2020
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