If you are planning an aerial trip around Sydney or the surrounding areas, then you will need to make sure that you get your camera ready. There will be plenty of opportunities to take some spectacular photographs when you are buzzing around in a helicopter. You can get some excellent tips on shooting from a helicopter which will have you prepared for your upcoming adventure. As with many things, the key to a successful trip and excellent photographs is the planning and preparation, so here is some advice to get you started.
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Dark Clothes or Doors Off
With some helicopter rides in Sydney, you will be able to request the doors are removed from the aircraft which will allow you to take photos with fewer restrictions. Due to safety reasons, not all companies will be able to offer this in their service, so speak to them well in advance to see if this is going to be a possibility or not. If you cannot remove the doors, then you will want to make sure that you wear dark clothing to reduce the contrast and the reflections that the camera will pick up.
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Everything At Hand
If you can, you will want to take two cameras with you as this will be easier than having to change the lens on the camera. Make sure that you have your equipment readily at hand, and that it is all securely fastened to your vest or belt. If you are flying with the doors off the last thing you want to do is to drop your equipment outside the aircraft!
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Framing Your Shot
Some helicopters will have a harness which allows you to step out the door and take spectacular pictures. If this is not an option on your tour, then you will want to make sure that you frame your widest shot bearing in mind the rotor blades as well as the skids of the helicopter, as you will want to keep these out of shot.
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Take Lots Of Pictures
Aerial photography from a helicopter can be tricky, so you will want to take as many photographs as possible. It will take a bit of trial and error to get your pictures right, but even a novice will be able to take a few fantastic shots with ease after a bit of practice. Take as many pictures as you can which can be done easily with a Digital SLR camera, but you may need to take additional memory cards with you.
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Play With Your Pictures
When you get back, you will want to play around with your pictures on your computer, using your favourite software such as Photoshop or Lightbox. Adding a filter to an image or making it black and white can have a drastic effect on even the most basic of photographs. With the right effect, it is possible to create excellent pictures that have a professional look and feel to them. It is not often that you’ll get the chance to take pictures in a helicopter, so when you get the chance, you will want to make sure that you take quality pictures that will help keep your memories alive for years to come.
Do you have some other great tips in mind you want to share with us? Let us know in the comments!