Advanced Photography Course

What size is the target (subject)?

At what time of day is the lighting best?

From what direction should the pictures be
taken?

From approximately what altitude should the

pictures be taken?

What hazards to safe flight are present in the
target area?

When the photographer and the pilot have the

answers to these questions and understand the
objectives of the mission, both are in a position to
produce quality photographs that meet the needs of the
requester.

To enable the photographer to take pictures, the

pilot must know specific details about the mission.
When taking photographs on the ground, you can
choose to move either the object or yourself to get
proper composition for your pictures. However, in the
air, you must rely on the pilot for the desired camera
angle and the correct camera-to-subject distance. The
pilot cannot read your mind, so it is important to discuss
your plans in detail before the flight. Remember, there
is not time to accomplish this while you are both in
flight.

Other reasons for discussing plans before the flight

are as follows: the mission may require maneuvers the
aircraft is incapable of performing or the pilot may
perform a different maneuver to get the same results.
On the ground, the photographer has sole control over
the camera. In the air, the camera is, so to speak, in the
hands of both the photographer and the pilot. Both must
coordinate their efforts and work together as a team.

MAPS AND CHARTS

For some aerial assignments, a map or chart is

important for the successful accomplishment of an
aerial photographic mission. You should become
familiar with the different types of maps and charts
available. A map is used primarily for land navigation,
while a chart is used primarily for water navigation.
Represented on a map or chart are the essential
topographic features, such as water depths, roads,
railroads, rivers, lakes, towns, cities, airfields, and other
man-made objects.

The scale of a map or chart depends upon personal

choice and availability. A large-scale map provides
greater detail, while a small-scale map covers a larger
area. The scale of the map you use should be large
enough to define the target clearly yet small enough to
include a large area surrounding the target.

Reading a map is easier when the top of the map is

forward, so the map lies in front of you, just as the
ground does. You may find the map easier to use during
the flight when you write on it, so the top is in the main
direction of flight. Once you have located the target on
the map, you should mark it. Indicate the type of
photograph and any other information that may be of
assistance in your photographic mission, such as

altitude, scale, and angle. Geometric North should also

be marked on the map.

WEATHER

Temperature inversion in the atmosphere tends to

concentrate and trap particles in the air, causing haze.

A common type of temperature inversion may be

characterized by smoke that rises to a certain height,

Figure 4-11.--Characteristic of temperature inversion.

4-11

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Advanced Photography Course

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DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> What size is the target (subject)? At what time of day is the lighting best? From what direction should the pictures be taken? From approximately what altitude should the pictures be taken? What hazards to safe flight are present in the target area? When the photographer and the pilot have the answers to these questions and understand the objectives of the mission, both are in a position to produce quality photographs that meet the needs of the requester. To enable the photographer to take pictures, the pilot must know specific details about the mission. When taking photographs on the ground, you can choose to move either the object or yourself to get proper composition for your pictures. However, in the air, you must rely on the pilot for the desired camera angle and the correct camera-to-subject distance. The pilot cannot read your mind, so it is important to discuss your plans in detail before the flight. Remember, there is not time to accomplish this while you are both in flight. Other reasons for discussing plans before the flight are as follows: the mission may require maneuvers the aircraft is incapable of performing or the pilot may perform a different maneuver to get the same results. On the ground, the photographer has sole control over the camera. In the air, the camera is, so to speak, in the hands of both the photographer and the pilot. Both must coordinate their efforts and work together as a team. MAPS AND CHARTS For some aerial assignments, a map or chart is important for the successful accomplishment of an aerial photographic mission. You should become familiar with the different types of maps and charts available. A map is used primarily for land navigation, while a chart is used primarily for water navigation. Represented on a map or chart are the essential topographic features, such as water depths, roads, railroads, rivers, lakes, towns, cities, airfields, and other man-made objects. The scale of a map or chart depends upon personal choice and availability. A large-scale map provides greater detail, while a small-scale map covers a larger area. The scale of the map you use should be large enough to define the target clearly yet small enough to include a large area surrounding the target. Reading a map is easier when the top of the map is forward, so the map lies in front of you, just as the ground does. You may find the map easier to use during the flight when you write on it, so the top is in the main direction of flight. Once you have located the target on the map, you should mark it. Indicate the type of photograph and any other information that may be of assistance in your photographic mission, such as altitude, scale, and angle. Geometric North should also be marked on the map. WEATHER Temperature inversion in the atmosphere tends to concentrate and trap particles in the air, causing haze. A common type of temperature inversion may be characterized by smoke that rises to a certain height, Figure 4-11.--Characteristic of temperature inversion. 4-11 contents Advanced Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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