Air to Air Photography - Tricks of the Trade

[KrautFed]

I used to fly a C152 around with the doors (both) removed all the time when it was hot - no difference in flight characteristics - although we did have 4 point aerobatic harnesses fitted. Can't comment on removing one door though.

When I used to do photo flights with the local rag the photographer preffered to crack the window while I orbited - I think he felt safer that way.

Plan plan and plan - sounds like you have more questions than answers so don't jump into this lightly.

My appologies.  This was another thread that the moderator felt needed to be joined with this thread, so he moved it.

Not jumping into this lightly as questions are planning.    Not planning on air-to-air for a while, questions were about air-to-ground.  Safety is still #1 though.

[Tonyz]

You titled your post Air2Air & Air2Ground and so it was placed in the most appropriate place.

The issues of shooting from and airplane, regardless of the target, are very similar.  Safety should be your #1 concern.  That entails many of te things we have discusses here in this thread, from safely operating the windows to pilot communication to planning the flight.

Please take the time to browse through this thread as there is a wealth of information here.  Then please ask more questions and share your experience.

Thanks.

[ATCManch]

Thought I'd reopen this one as it's been a year and a half since anyone commented. And I'll start it with a "I learnt about flying through that" story 

In an RAF C130, years ago, refueling Buccaneers on their way to Gibraltar. Taken loads of shots, some from the back, some through the side window and then decided to take some from the observation bubble ( Some RAF C130s had them fitted for navigating by the stars!!!! Yeah right, for cool pics I think  ) Anyway took the pics and then just sat back and watched the Buccs in formation. Now what I haven't mentioned is that the C130s were unpressurized when refuelling, the basket comes out of the tailgate area, so we were all on oxygen, full helmets etc. Well, a human head in a bone dome, with oxygen mask and camera with zoom lense doesn't fit in the observation bubble so something had to give - in this case the mask. So there I am, sitting on the top bunk, looking out the bubble, happy as larry, @ 22,000 ft. Next thing I know I'm at the bottom of the stairs leading to the main door, about 10 feet lower than I was a moment before. I'd forgotten to put my mask back on in the joy of it all  and had fainted ( I have a rare thin blood type which doesn't help apparently ) The Nav said he was sitting there just watching out the window when he saw a body go flashing past him 

I never forgot about my mask again.

Oh, and another thing. When an aircraft connects to the hose it sends a ripple up it, just like if you flick a bit of rope or something. This make the hose move quite violently so when you're right next to it taking pics out the back it can be dangerous. here's one I took on this trip - there's a better version on jetphotos, and it was scanned from a negative.

[ATCManch]

As for Air 2 Ground. I took these last year out of Tucson over DMA and Marana. I was in the right hand seat with my friend holding open the window from the back. I got some pretty good results I think. I did keep the IS on on my 70-200mm, EOS5D was the camera. I think I had my x2 on as we were at 3000ft over DMA and circuit height at Marana.

1/800 f7.1 ISO100


1/800 f5.6 ISO100


1/800 f5.6 ISO100


1/800 f7.1 ISO100


I would say that a fast shutter speed with as much light as possible is required for these shots to be good

[sovietjet]

Some of these tips are very interesting. I have one question though...how does one go about actually organizing an air-to-air session? What I'm saying is, do you need to contact pilots, demonstration groups, etc...and then rent a plane? I'm unfamiliar with the actual process of organizing the event before you have to take into account the tips given here.

[Tonyz]

You may have hit on the toughest thing about doing air to air...making the contacts etc...  I was lucky in that work opened up a few doors for me.  I did some shots on the ground for work, which turned into a lets go flying and get some photos.  Those came out nice so word got through the grapevine...

It is really about having and making the contacts to do it.  Working on assignment for a magazine or other print outlet can open some doors as well.  At the top of the heap are those who get to fly with the military and teams like the Tbirds, Blue Angels, Snowbirds etc...

[Viper812]

Very interesting topic! Just registered to join the discussions.

In a couple of months I will have an opportunity to use the back ramp of a C-130 Hercules as a photo platform during an air-to-air shoot. I try to prepare everything as good as possible, however there is one thing that worries me a bit. I am thinking of taking two camera bodies with me (70-200 and 24-105 lenses attached). My worst nightmare is that I bump into something and the lens is accidentally detached and falls down! I know the chances of this happening are very slim, but I just don't like to take the risk.

Is there anyone who has found a way to secure their lens to the camera body? How would you handle two cameras, both with straps around your neck?

[RichardVM]

I would try to avoid carrying anything around your neck.

The odds of a lens detaching are exceptionally low, although totally bizarre things can happen. I have my own harness for shooting out of civilian aircraft that allows me to attach my cameras with a carabiner through a ring on my harness and attached to the camera strap. In the case of a C-130 flight with the gate open, they will insist you use their "monkey harness." I would discuss details of the mission with the crew as far in advance as possible, but you should be able to bring a carabiner or two (available at sporting goods stores that carry climbing supplies, like REI) and thread the harness and camera straps through said caribiner.

Although the probabilities of a lens departing a body are exceptionally rare, objects of greater concern would be filters, lens hoods, eye cups and similar items, including memory cards or objects from your pockets. Ideally lens hoods and filters would be removed before the flight. I have seen a seemingly tight filter depart a lens during an air to air shoot, luckily without ill effects.

Richard

[FlyingKiwi]

I would try to avoid carrying anything around your neck.

Richard

I'll second that, suddenly and unexpectedly experiencing multiple Gs with a heavy object around your neck sounds like an excellent recipe for paraplegia, particularly if you lose your grip on said object.

Richard.
(the real Richard, or at least the one who matters  )

[Viper812]

I agree that carrying two cameras around the neck is not ideal. But how practical is working with such a carabiner? How long would it take you to switch cameras?

[RichardVM]

Both of my cameras are attached with carabiners, so there is no time involved. In civilian aircraft the cameras are usually sitting on my lap when I'm not shooting, so they are both attached to the same carabiner by the staps. They can be detached quickly by removing the carabiner from the harness.

Richard