Aerial Photography From a Small Plane with the Nikon D850

Aerial Photography with the Nikon D850.
Get my free sample pack of Lightroom presets here:

How to take photos from a small plane with the Nikon D850. In this video, Tim Shields takes you up in a small plane to take aerial photos of the White Rock Pier with the Nikon D850 camera. Stick around until the end of the video where the Mayor of the City of White Rock makes a big announcement about the pier that was damaged by the storm.

Join my TimsPhotos Academy Facebook group to learn more:

Get the $9.99 per month subscription for both Lightroom Classic CC and Photoshop CC:

Get $10 USD off your purchase of Aurora HDR 2019. Use my coupon code TIMSPHOTOS

Get $10 USD off your purchase of Luminar 3. Use my coupon code TIMSPHOTOS

The camera I use - Nikon D850

My favorite all-around lens I use for almost everything - Nikkor 24-70 f/2.8

My tripod head - Acratech Long Lens Head - part 1 of 2

My tripod head - Acratech Leveling Base - part 2 of 2

My tripod - Feisol CT3441T

My wired shutter release - Nikon MC-36A

D850 L Bracket

See my portfolio:

#aerialphotography #Nikond850 #whiterockpier

[KevTheMedic]

To improve picture quality through windows you can also use specially made Rubber Lens hoods eliminating the reflection if a open window is no option.

[jproducer]

Interesting - but a couple comments (I've been a general aviation pilot and flight instructor for 40+ years in the US):

Use a high-wing Cessna (as someone below commented) low-wing planes are not really very good for aerial work
If you use a low wing - go up with a flight instructor who can fly from the right seat - hence you are in the left seat right next to the vent window
Always clean the windows with plexiglass cleaner before you use a plane for photography (and perhaps take a polarized filter)
Unlike the suggestion below - do not take the doors off - you will find the buffeting to be quite a bit to handle - and it gets cold when you get much above 3, 000 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) - even in summer
Be careful about flying around mountains - there is what is known as mountain wave air currents that can produce severe downdrafts - make sure your pilot is both experienced and has had some current training in mountain flying if you want to do that
You crossed the border into the US - I assume your pilot does this frequently and filed the appropriate international flight plan - because if you had to land (for whatever reason) - hope you had your passport and/or PassCard (if Canada has them) - US customs can get picky for foreign aircraft that land here
You appeared to have brown (hopefully polarized) sunglasses - the best for aviation - they cut through haze
As an aside - always ask your pilot to check for airspace restrictions (NOTAMS) in the area where you want to photography (or loiter) - certain facilities like nuclear power plants are sensitive - you might have the authorities waiting for you when you land - and certain areas have glider or parachute operations (announced via NOTAMS - Notice to Airmen).
If you have never been up in light plane (not "small") - take a short ride several days before your photo mission to check for any potential airsickness. Keep your attention focused at a distance (not near) and don't made abrupt head movements
Minor semantic detail - you didn't "fly" the plane - you "manipulated the controls" as we instructors say

I'm enrolled in your Photography Transformation Master class - great value and incredible amount of material. Well done.

[Angeofthenorth]

So great to see Pete!! Looks like you had a good flight on a gorgeous day!

[stanw]

I really enjoyed the ride! Thanks a bunch for bringing us along. I have wrestled with the plane window reflection aspect in the past as well. It is quite challenging from a small plane. Again, another excellent video production that was fun, interesting, and informative to view!

[TimPoitevin]

This was really cool! I'm just about to start on my private pilot's license, so this is inspiring! Maybe some day I'll come buzz your house :)

[pamhammermann]

I didn't see a filter on your lens.... What are your thoughts about pol filters especially in a place like up in a plane.

[lieslwalshphotography]

Very cool video! Thanks for sharing the tips!

[aasolvi]

Wow, this was really awesome Tim 👍. The photos of the pier looks amazing and I really loved the photos of the high mountain! That was spectacular 👍👍

[annetteundheimart]

Wow, really exciting video! 👍👍 Appreciate you talking through the issues that arise 😊😊 Great photos!! 👌

[wdb]

You might also want to consider how bad those windows degrade an image

[jabisanz]

Oh man seems to be difficult yes but fun ohhh wow

[Bryster]

Great video! First time viewer...
What lens did you use?
Looked like the 24-70....not sure.

Great tips and showing the process!

[tremaintanner]

Thanks for posting this video, Tim. You got some great shots of Mt. Baker and the White Rock waterfront. That steam vent looks a bit unsettling. I have taken aerial site shots from a helicopter before and it was pretty easy, certainly much easier than what you had to contend with. Question: What lens were you using to shoot with?

[omaddenaerials]

Cessnas have widows that open up out of the way. They can also slow down enough to compete with helos and are much cheaper. Why the 850 and what lens and settings?

[VRunlimitedlife]

Nothing about camera Setting but, now I know how to Start up my own plane.

[markusstiller]

Nice video Tim. I prefer to fly an UL. There you can open the big window or even use a Cessna 172 or 182. open the door and you will have a beautiful view. Also you have the Wing above and not below which is also better for the photos.
Anyway nice to watch. Which lens did you use? I normally use superteles to get a closer view.

[harshtrivedi]

Should have choosen a top wing plane like cessna or pipestrel alpha

[Narsuitus]

@1:16 you state that there are three options for aerial photography: drone, helicopter, and airplane.

However, here are a few more options:
· Pole aerial photography (camera mounted on a long pole)
· Glider aerial photography (fixed-wing aircraft)
· Avian (camera mounted on a bird)
· Skydiving aerial photography
· Rocket aerial photography
· Hot air balloon
· Kite

[boytucb]

High wing plane with door removed should help a bit with photography.

[paulwright]

A Mooney is a fantastic airplane for efficient cross-country travel. Maybe not the best choice for aerial photography, the high wing designs with windows that open have an advantage. But don't go claiming helicopters are superior, that's just crazy talk! =)