furyphoto
08-03-2008, 05:02 PM
Until now I have been shooting photos with a second person to operate the camera. The big problem is usually I can't find anyone with photo experience to shoot for me, so I get what I get. I have been meaning to learn to put more trust in my AP2000 and try shooting solo.
This week both of my brothers (my usual camera operators) were kept out of town by a massive rockslide that blocked the highway for 4 days. so it seemed like a good time to go it alone!
After 2 or 3 batteries in my front garden yesterday, to get used to letting go of the controls for 10 seconds. I called it a night, and planned more practice today. When I woke up at 7:00 it was a perfect day for photography, so instead of more practice I opted for baptism by fire.
The shot was of the new University Campus, a big place. Since my A640 went swimming, I am using a "borrowed" camera from Wallymart, which does not have as wide a lens as the 640 with the .7 converter on it.
Needless to say, my poor little Swift turned into a tiny dot in the sky in order to get it all in. (See if you can find me!)
Pucker Factor 1 billion! ---- 3.5 minutes seems like an eternity when your nuts are in your stomach!
Everything went great though, the AP2000 did drift a bit at high altitude, but it was stable enough for me to get the shot.
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57573&d=1217797062
Once, after looking at the downlink screen for about 10 seconds, I looked up and couldn't find the heli! took me another 5 or 6 sec to spot it. I promptly lowered the collective, and brought her home safely! Although I feel much more confident now, the words "Carvec" and "Rotomotion" are still tap dancing on my subconcious.
-A
ps. link to the rockslide story! http://www.videosift.com/video/Vancouver-Olympic-Sea-to-Sky-Highway-closed-by-rockslide
This week both of my brothers (my usual camera operators) were kept out of town by a massive rockslide that blocked the highway for 4 days. so it seemed like a good time to go it alone!
After 2 or 3 batteries in my front garden yesterday, to get used to letting go of the controls for 10 seconds. I called it a night, and planned more practice today. When I woke up at 7:00 it was a perfect day for photography, so instead of more practice I opted for baptism by fire.
The shot was of the new University Campus, a big place. Since my A640 went swimming, I am using a "borrowed" camera from Wallymart, which does not have as wide a lens as the 640 with the .7 converter on it.
Needless to say, my poor little Swift turned into a tiny dot in the sky in order to get it all in. (See if you can find me!)
Pucker Factor 1 billion! ---- 3.5 minutes seems like an eternity when your nuts are in your stomach!
Everything went great though, the AP2000 did drift a bit at high altitude, but it was stable enough for me to get the shot.
http://www.helifreak.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=57573&d=1217797062
Once, after looking at the downlink screen for about 10 seconds, I looked up and couldn't find the heli! took me another 5 or 6 sec to spot it. I promptly lowered the collective, and brought her home safely! Although I feel much more confident now, the words "Carvec" and "Rotomotion" are still tap dancing on my subconcious.
-A
ps. link to the rockslide story! http://www.videosift.com/video/Vancouver-Olympic-Sea-to-Sky-Highway-closed-by-rockslide