Landscapes from above

[Frank Sirona]

Usually we are shooting landscapes from the ground. But changing the perspective and shooting from above yields totally different images which can be pretty amazing. I came into touch with this fascinating field because I am currently organizing an exhibition to be shown on this year´s Photokina in Cologne, together with Bernhard Edmaier and Stephan Zirwes. Both are doing outstanding work from helicopters, which appear to be the most popular platform for aerials.

Now I´d like to know who else is doing great aerials - any suggestions? Two others I can contribute to the list would be George Steinmetz, who uses a motorized paraglider for shooting (and for impressing the people below), and Yann Arthus-Bertrand.

[Chairman Bill]

Whilst shooting around sunset at Castlerigg stone circle in Cumbria, someone was flying one of these  -

with a small digi-cam attached, enabling him to get aerial shots of the stones. I'd like to see the sorts of results he got. Someone I know uses a kite with a digital compact for aerial shots - the results are pretty good, if a little down to serendipity

[Frank Sirona]

Oh yes, I believe there´s a lot to come, once these mini drones having a reasonable payload have become affordable. I´m waiting for one that would be capable of reliably carrying a MF camera with a digital back and allowing for sending a viewfinder image to an iPhone on the ground. Probably years ahead, but I guess we will see them. Today´s professional drones unfortunately are still incredibly expensive ($ 20,000+, as far as I know).

[tom b]

Richard Woldendorp does some great aerial photography of Australia.

Cheers,

[john beardsworth]

This Polish guy's web site is everything one dislikes about Flash-based sites, but I think some of his pictures are worth it http://www.kacperkowalski.pl/ .

[Frank Sirona]

Ughh... you´re right, flashwise he´s got everything you don´t want to see on a website. But I fully agree: some of his shots are just outstanding. It´s a pity that he really overdoes contrast and saturation in many cases, but I would assume that that´s just happened when setting up his website and is not found on his original prints.

[MarkH2]

In case you haven't become acquianted with these, they are really quite amazing and delightful.  They have set the bar high.

3D Virtual Tours Around the World http://www.airpano.com/

[Kirk Gittings]

Adriel Heisey is a well known ultralight aerial photographer in the American Southwest, including numerous exhibitions, books and magazines including National Geographic. See: http://www.adrielheisey.com/

[Petrus]

Today´s professional drones unfortunately are still incredibly expensive ($ 20,000+, as far as I know).

A RC helicopter similar to the one in the picture can carry a 5D3 with WA lens, has GPS control, can automatically fly a plotted route controlled from a laptop and costs only 2000€ fully equipped. Revolution in aerial photography (combined with stitching) and videography, well demonstrated by the airpano site mentioned earlier.

[DougJ]

I was in Sequim (Olympic Peninsula), WA this Labour Day weekend to attend their first hot air balloon.  At the early morning launches of the balloon I noticed a small hexa-copter flying in and around the balloons.  I tracked down the operator (see http://roswellflighttestcrew.typepad.com/) and his truck way off to one side of the launch area.  The man flying the "bee" was using a standard multi link RC controller to fly the thing while wearing "glasses" (scroll down on the above link) to see what the camera on the copter was seeing; in the back of the truck was a 32-in() TV displaying what the operator was seeing in his glasses.  The rig was also flown at night to capture the balloon glow demonstrations.  These folk were not into "art," but I think art is possible with this technology.

Ciao,

Doug

[Mjollnir]

I was in Sequim (Olympic Peninsula), WA this Labour Day weekend to attend their first hot air balloon.  At the early morning launches of the balloon I noticed a small hexa-copter flying in and around the balloons.  I tracked down the operator (see http://roswellflighttestcrew.typepad.com/) and his truck way off to one side of the launch area.  The man flying the "bee" was using a standard multi link RC controller to fly the thing while wearing "glasses" (scroll down on the above link) to see what the camera on the copter was seeing; in the back of the truck was a 32-in() TV displaying what the operator was seeing in his glasses.  The rig was also flown at night to capture the balloon glow demonstrations.  These folk were not into "art," but I think art is possible with this technology.

Ciao,

Doug

Man, with a better camera, using one of those in, say, Yosemite Valley, could bring heretofore impossible to get angles and perspectives.

Me want.

[Smoothjazz]

I have to say, some of the photos of the dunes by Adriel Heisey are true masterpieces....very inspiring. Makes me want to go out and get an ultralight plane!

[atlnq9]

Passed away now; but the best mountain aerial photographer would have been Bradford Washburn.  Stunning 8x10 large formats taken using a Fairchild in Alaska and the Yukon (and even Mt. Everest).  All of his images were from planes with doors removed flying in sub zero (F) temperatures from planes.  He was also a pilot which really aided his aerial photography because he could tell the pilot to give the plane more rudder, etc. and position perfectly.  Most all of his images were never marketed well until late in his life because he primarily did it for map making and finding new climbing routes.  But the most stunning aerial images in the mountains ever.  Ansel Adams was even in awe of his work.  He even did stereo images by having the pilot keep the plane level.

Looking to get a gyro myself.  Think this offers the best option for cost vs. portability vs. adaptability with the 3 axis gyro from kenyon labs:

http://www.aerialexposures.com/gyroplatform.htm

[bill t.]

Really like the Kowalski stuff.  Fun to see the signature of his aircraft in some of those.  I especially like straight down shots.   Don't care as much for the style where we are looking at angles around 45 degrees, which are informative but put the viewer in a distracting orientation.

All I really want is to get the camera maybe 20 to 30 feet above the ground, and sometimes in locations that are blocked by fences or difficult terrain.  I have a long list of locations that are are so-so from the ground, but would be killer with just a little more camera height.  Have been looking close at those multi-copters.  All it takes is the nerve to hang your $5000 camera package on dirtball hobby motors and electronics all too capable of failing at any time.  Cheap, lightweight cameras are possibly the way to go.

[cybis]

Now I´d like to know who else is doing great aerials - any suggestions?

I do : Behance and www.lucbusquin.com

[Atina]

Cameron Davidson:

http://www.camerondavidson.com

Karel Tomeï, from The Netherlands

http://www.flyingcamera.nl

Nick Rains, from Australia

http://www.nickrainsimaging.com/?q=aerial

[Petrus]

All it takes is the nerve to hang your $5000 camera package on dirtball hobby motors and electronics all too capable of failing at any time.

The 2000€ 6 blade copter that was demonstrated to me can loose 2 engines and still fly back. They are quite amazing.

[markmullen]

I would buy a quad copter in a heartbeat if we didn't have such strict regulations on using them commercially here in the uk. I bet some of my architect clients would love it.

[Frank Sirona]

Man, with a better camera, using one of those in, say, Yosemite Valley, could bring heretofore impossible to get angles and perspectives.

Me want.

Too late, I´m afraid. As far as I know, Yosemite park has been closed to drones recently.

[Frank Sirona]

Back to the serious stuff: Swedish photographer Hans Strand is about to publish his book "ICELAND above & below". The book will be available in August, and there is a "Pre-Order Special" which includes an A4 print with all books - well: pre-ordered before August. The book can be ordered here:

www.triplekite.co.uk

Some of the images from the book can be seen on Hans´ facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hans-Strand-Artwork

and many more wonderful images, aerials and non-aerials alike, can be found on his website,

www.hansstrand.com

Highly recommended!