Portrait Photography, Photography Tutorial

Aerial photography never stops impressing us. Generally, the biggest obstacle that gets in the way of taking good aerial photographs for a beginner is proper positioning in the sky for the subject matter. Most of the rules of good photography that apply on the ground are the same from an airplane, so it isn’t necessarily camera settings or composition that will trip you up.  The challenge is placing yourself in the opportune position in a 3D environment that will make the difference between a keeper and a throw-away. You will quickly learn while looking through the lens what is going to be a great frame, but it can come upon you quickly and the next thing you know, you’ve missed it.   Getting into that exact positioning again can be extremely elusive and frustrating.

Achieving “spatial success” starts with proper planning on the ground. The first decision you will need to make that can influence the outcome greatly is what aircraft you will use. If you are in a rural location, most likely you will be choosing between a Cessna 152 or 172. If in, or near a city, then a Robinson R-22 helicopter will be on the list. Shooting from a helicopter will increase your chances of getting good shots, most of the time. The exception to this is in situations where you want to shoot large areas from high altitudes.

Artist Jason Hawke has mastered this form of photography, with some help from helicopters he has taken his Nikon D3 to new heights every day. He captures it all; flooded fields, hundreds of red vans lined up ready for shipping, northern snow landscapes, colorful basket courts, tomato dumps, landfills, beaches, almost everything you can imagine.  Jason makes us realize that the world is so much more spectacular than we think, especially when seen from above. Imagine what the birds are seeing every day. We tend to forget its beauty. Luckily we have Hawke’s photography to remind us.

Enjoy!

Portrait Photography, Photography Tutorial
Portrait Photography, Photography Tutorial
Portrait Photography, Photography Tutorial

Portrait Photography, Photography Tutorial

Related terms: Tips for How to Take Good Portraits, Tips for Taking Portraits, Tips for Taking Portrait Photography, About Portrait Photographers, Take Great Portraits, Family Portrait Tutorial, Taking a Portrait, Studio Portrait Photography Tutorial