Photography from a moving helicopter?

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f/1.2

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Has anyone done this and can share some tips?

We have a couple who are being transported from their ceremony to their wedding reception by helicopter and they would like us to go on the helicopter with them to get some aerial photographs.

This isn't something we have done before, so was wondering if there is anything we need to look out for?

I assume that we will have to shoot through a window?

I assume that vibrations from the helicopter might make photography difficult?

Not even sure what focal lengths we will need for this, we normally shoot weddings using 24,35,50,85 primes, would we be better to use our Tamron 28-75, 70-180 for this?
 
I have not done this but did ask someone who took some seascapes from some kind of aircraft in Sydney how he did it and he said his shutter speed was 1/2000. He didn't say it was a helicopter.
 
Chipper said:
I have not done this but did ask someone who took some seascapes from some kind of aircraft in Sydney how he did it and he said his shutter speed was 1/2000. He didn't say it was a helicopter.
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Yeah I read that you need to use shutter speed x 8 the focal length.
 
I did quite a bit back in the film days but always through an open door. Keep your shutter speeds above 1/500 even 1/1000 to avoid vibration issues. As for focal length it really depends on what your clients want from the shots, a mid range zoom (f2.8 if poss) would be good but if the windows are small and high you may need something longer since you won't be able to shoot straight down. Use manual focus and focus at infinity for best results if you have IS switch it on to help with the vibration again. It would also be worthwhile having a really wide lens for shots inside the cab of the clients and pilot etc, high ISO not flash as that could well annoy the pilot unless they are asked first and are ok with flash. Good luck.
 
I spent years doing this. Yes, helicopters are designed to shake themselves to pieces! As above, keep the shutter speed much much higher than normal, NO FLASH! otherwise the pilot will quite rightly stick a pen in your eye. Internal photos won't be so bad as everything will be shaking the same way at the same time, external shots, just try and absorb as much movement as you can with your arms. Good luck.
 
I have done it before, a long time ago.
Yes you will need to shoot through glass, I can't imagine that the bride will be keen to go with the doors off! Depending on the model the amount of glass you have to shoot through could be quite limiting and not give you much option of shots of the ground/venue.

I would focus more on getting photos of the couple in the chopper as that will be more memorable to them and then anything you can get of the venue is just an added bonus.

EDIT: Also worth considering that most insurance excludes working from aircraft, though as you will have the doors on it's not really an issue. Both worth noting for anyone that may read this thread with the opportunity for a doors off flight and tethering all your kit is essential.
 
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f/2.8 said:
they would like us to go on the helicopter with them to get some aerial photographs.
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I've taken pictures from a helicopter in the past (although not weddings) and the biggest problem is vibration.

In those days I used a heavy camera (Mamiya C330) and the shortest shutter speed (1/500th) to improve stability. I don't know the situation with modern helicopter windows but in the 1980s they tended to distort, so I had to get permission to shoot through the open hatch.

In your case, I'm guessing you want a more or less standard viewpoint, so a 50mm on full frame would be the starting point for the exterior views. If they want some pictures of themselves inside the helicopter, you'll need to treat it like a car shot and choose your wide angle appropriately.

Do make sure you get in contact with the pilot well before the job begins, talk through what you intend to do and make sure that there are no surprises on the day. Above all, listen carefully to the pilot at all times and obey his/her instructions.
 
Thanks for all the info guys am sure it will help.
 
I've shot from both light fixed wing planes & a helicopter, the issues with both are the same - engine vibrations.
Fortunately subject matter is usually a good distance away so shooting wide open isn't an issue, keep shutter speeds high 1/1500 or higher is preferable.
Unlike when shooting through static glass (where being in contact with the glass can reduce reflections) it is important to keep the lens off the glass & avoid bracing against the frame etc. - physical contact will make vibrations worse.

I'd expect safe distances will require longer focal lengths 150mm equivalent would be about the minimum that has any chance of having people (& even places) recognisable on exterior shots.
 
As has been said, a higher shutter speed for sure.

Do not be tempted to lean on any part of the airframe for support (or your legs) - trust your arms to absorb the vibrations.

Shoot through an open window if possible - if not, be sure to clean the part of the window (inside and out) that you intend to shoot through before take off.

Enjoy the flight . . .
 
Cameras and helicopters don't play well together, we make some cameras for Airbus Helicopters and they're constantly coming back with vibration damage.
High shutter speed and stabilization are a must.
 
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No photography from a helicopter but a bit from a light aircraft, plus having spent my life working with helicopters and having a PPL (fixed wing) I know a little bit about aircraft. Do you know what type of helicopter it is? Find out and do some research. It's likely to be quite small so long lenses may be a no-no, certainly for internal shots but probably external as well. For external you'll want to be next to a window and unless it's a 'bubble on a stick' type the windows may not be that big. The windows may or may not open. Obviously don't let your body or the camera rest against anything - sit up and let your body damp the vibration. Reflections, glare and less than optically pure window material presents real problems, so you're better on the 'down sun' side of the aircraft for external shots. Internal may then be an issue but you won't be able to get up and move. Find out what the priorities are. Definitely talk things through beforehand with the pilot as you'll want shots of the approach to the venue and a degree of steady bank will probably be required. He/she may also be able to give some some advice or even let you look at the aircraft in advance.
 
Maybe think about the arrival too. I had a couple last year with helicopter and we decided it would be better to be stationed on the ground to capture the arrival and transfer to horse and carriage. They took lots of selfies inside the helicopter themselves.
 
I have done a wedding from a helicopter. An Agusta 109 - nice. The helo was the departure vehicle, so the B&G were already there when we flew in.

I had arranged with the pilot to shoot the reception/marquee (in a field) with the door open, so when we got to the location he gave me the nod (I was in the back) and I slid the door open and snapped away as all the guests and the B&G came out for a look. Obviously I was strapped in and cameras on straps and properly secured. I think I was on minimum 1/1000th, with a 24-70 and 70-200 on two 1D3s. Great shots from this as we hovered then gently descended.

Then I shot all sorts of people climbing in and out of the helo while it was on the ground. The kids were having a great time.

After a bit (and a good dinner( I had to shoot the departure from the copilot’s seat. I had a wide angle 16-35 and shot the B&G as they got in and while they quaffed champagne on the way to Hendon where they were due to get a private jet to Paris I think. It was dark, so it was interior lighting and high ISO at f/2.8 and whatever I could get on shutter speed. On landing I jumped out first and shot them as they walked from the helo to the jet.

Overall, quite a fun experience, but required a lot of planning and liaison with the pilot, who I already knew anyway so there wasn’t any tension.
 
Just back from the wedding, helicopter went well.

It was quite a small helicopter I sat in the front and wasn't able to turn around during flight so I grabbed a few photos of the bride and groom before lift off and a few of the aerial shots they wanted.
 
f/2.8 said:
Just back from the wedding, helicopter went well.

It was quite a small helicopter I sat in the front and wasn't able to turn around during flight so I grabbed a few photos of the bride and groom before lift off and a few of the aerial shots they wanted.
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Share what photos you can it will be interesting. Glad it went well. (y)
 
We went up in a helicopter in St Louis, never did anything different and still got good shots!
 
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