Shooting from a helicopter (Bungle bungle range)

[Willy wombat]

Had my first trip in a helicopter during my trip to the Bungles in July. No doors. I dont think I have ever gripped the camera so tightly.

I read that it pays to keep your shutter speed high because of the vibrations, so I tried my best. I struggled with positioning the circ pol filter in a few shots under difficult shooting situations. Think large man in small sardine can.

Here are 4 shots. Please feel free to let me know what you think

1.

2.

3.
I used Virtual photographer to provide an oranage boost to #3

4.

[aim54x]

I would love to have the opp to shoot from a helicopter! The images however look a bit too bright, maybe pull back the exposure a bit to stop the colours from washing out.

[agriffiths]

I shoot hanging out of a helicopter almost on a daily basis (weather permitting) but have never had the oportunity to shoot the red centre. You've inspired me to make the trip!

[Oz_Beachside]

looks like a wonderful place for an offshore call centre!

interesting perspective, and good choice of aperture me thinks.

[Willy wombat]

images look a bit too bright

Thanks for mentioning this

It was certainly testing light (about 10am) with the sun still low enough to provide all those shaddow areas but bright enought to make exposure difficult. Do you think this is true for all of them or is there one specifically you think the exposure is off on.

[Willy wombat]

I shoot hanging out of a helicopter almost on a daily basis (weather permitting)

I would love to see some of your work please

Do you have any tips for beginners like me?

[Willy wombat]

interesting perspective, and good choice of aperture me thinks.

Thanks Bruce

[aim54x]

images look a bit too bright

Thanks for mentioning this

It was certainly testing light (about 10am) with the sun still low enough to provide all those shaddow areas but bright enought to make exposure difficult. Do you think this is true for all of them or is there one specifically you think the exposure is off on.

I am having a bit of trouble with this at the moment, so many uncalibrated monitors....on my laptop all of them looked a bit too bright, on this computer they only look a tiny bit out....i'll check on another screen when I get the chance. How do they look to you?

[ian.bertram]

I love 'em- on this monitor they don't look over cooked, just rich and full. What glass were you using?

[biggerry]

Think large man in small sardine can.

oh boy, i know how ya feel! plus I bet you were in a little Robinson R22 or R44 - imo unless a helicopter has got a turbine I ain't getting in it..

#3 is the standout for me, mainly since it really reflects what it really looks liek out there (colour wise), also the landscape orientation suits.

The other portrait style ones need a bit of warmth i think, those yellow bands are quite pronounced in real life and maybe that extra bit of warmth will reflect that?, I know your POV would have been limited but a landscape orientation might have worked better.

I struggled with positioning the circ pol filter

and i bet that pilot was not worried about the sun direction either...

[agriffiths]

I would love to see some of your work please

Do you have any tips for beginners like me?

My website is www.lensaloft.com.au

Tips? Practice practice practice.... and then practice some more. It's a steep expensive learnging curve and when things go wrong your wallet takes a beating, although when they go right it makes it all worth while. Feel free to give me a call if you want to know anything specific.

I've only just returned to the office after another shoot at lunch time. We had 45 knot (83km/h) headwinds on the way to the site and were being overtaken by cars below us. I could have sworn we were flying backwards at one stage. On the upside we came back like a rocket!

I'll post a photo of the chopper in a moment . It was laughable!

[agriffiths]

Here it is. The wind was so strong it almost took off before we even got in!



First time in this chopper and seeing this gave me a feeling of unease.

[biggerry]

ahhh the old schweizer 269C, no wonder you had a 'feeling of unease.' Like the Robinson R22, you just hope the engine keeps going...auto-rotation in things this size are... interesting..

[agriffiths]

To be honest I wasn't really worried about the auto, although it did take a couple of goes to get the engine started... I was more worried about mechanical linkage failure. I think every pulley and linkage on that thing showed signs of wear and rust. Much harder to recover from linkage failure than it is to auto. Seeing that my life was in the hands of a stand of rusted wire was what really had me concerned. Maybe its time to up my prices... and life insurance.

I didn't have much choice today though since my regular heli's were booked up.

[biggerry]

signs of wear and rust

[agriffiths]

 LOL, I've just seen they've grounded the ch10 traffic chopper. Too windy

[gstark]

Those mechanicals would not look out of place on a '63 beetle.

[Willy wombat]

You are a dare devil dude....!

[agriffiths]

Those mechanicals would not look out of place on a '63 beetle.

Funny, I had exactly the same thought. Although I'm sure the beetle would be far more advanced.

[surenj]

Those mechanicals would not look out of place on a '63 beetle.

Funny, I had exactly the same thought. Although I'm sure the beetle would be far more advanced.

This engine also looks to be air cooled

[gstark]

Those mechanicals would not look out of place on a '63 beetle.

Funny, I had exactly the same thought. Although I'm sure the beetle would be far more advanced.

Not to mention amphibious.