Pole Aeriel Photography (PAP)

Wow Doug, Great post.

It's amazing how the perspective and your particular use of angular composition can make a difference. Kudos!

Here's my setup:

http://www.slocountyhomes.com/pole_cam.htm

Keith Byrd

www.SloCountyHomes.com

Tim - I was immediately impressed with the results. I can only imagine that I will improve with more practice. Thanks for your comments.

Keith - Excellent setup. Your example shots clearly show what a huge difference 15 ft can make.

What great pictures! I work with my husband, Ramon, and we shoot all of our properties. I guess I am kinda a control freak so want hands on on the shoot. As we live in the mounains, sometimes getting above the homes is not possible. I have checked out our local Pole Photographer (very expensive) and even one that shoots from a remote helecopter.I would love to shoot my own.

I use a Canon Rebel XTi, already have remote shutter release, so please help me with how I view what I am shooting, Do I need that Breeze program? How to attach the camera to the pole? And the best deal on the pole. I will also check locally to see about our electric company having one for sale.

Thanks for all your help.

Doug,

Great setup!!!

Can you tell us how/where you sourced your items from? Particularly the Hastings Hot Stick. I can only find 40ft in length and even at that length they are going for $436.00 direct from Hastings.

Thanks for the post

Judy - I've had a couple of other email request for more details on my PAP rig. So, here goes.....

The best camera to use that I have found is the Rebel XSi (the newest Rebel) Any camera that has the ability for remote shutter release and has "live view" (where you can see the image on the screen before you take the picture) with a video out jack that supports the live view. You can use a remote monitor such as a pocket TV to preview the shot your about to take. This type of system could easily be used by one person. I have done shots by myself with my system but it is much easier to use with 2 people.

I do not own a Rebel XSi so I had to improvise. I have a Rebel XT and it came with software you can use for remote shooting but it does not allow you to preview your shot, only view the shot you just took. So, with my setup, I have to use a laptop with the Cannon EOS utility program so I can snap a shot, review what I just took on the laptop screen and adjust the angle for the next shot. So far, it takes me 6-10 shots to get the house centered in the fame the way I want it. In the post above, Kieth has a very nice PAP rig at an inexpensive cost. If you haven't checked it out, click on the link in his post and take a look at it. With that in mind, here is my rig from the ground up. Refer to the photo for reference of my description.

Laptop computer with cannon EOS utility

USB extender ($6 from eBay, i got it from the same seller as the cat 5 Cable, I think the cable and extender was $25)

75 ft Cat 5 cable, plugs into one section of the USB extender and then directly into the USB port on the computer.

My Hot Stick find was the key to my low cost. They normally run $300-$500 dollars. The one I got is 50 Ft. The highest I've ever had it with the camera attached is 40 Ft and it was swaying substantially. I would suggest a 35 Ft Hot Stick maximum unless your very daring.

The other section of USB extender is on the other end of the Cat5 cable. I used a Hose clamp to attach a carabiner to the pole. I use the carabiner to attach the Cat 5 cable so It's not pulling down on the plug attached to the camera. Then use then Cannon cable to plug into the camera. (I always get a "slow USB" warning on the computer screen because of the distance but it doesn't effect the outcome. The picture DL's to the screen in 3-4 seconds.)

I determined that a half inch piece of galvanized conduit was exactly the same size as my tripod head so I cut off about ten inches, flattened one end with a hammer, drilled a hole and used a bolt to attach to the universal mount on the end of the Hot Stick. I also had to use a jig saw to cut a slot in the end of the conduit to allow for the tripod head mounting screw. The mounting screw assures that the tripod head will not fall off the conduit.

The EOS utility on your computer does allow you to remotely operate the shutter but I was more comfortable with a remote shutter release (besides I wanted one anyway) I found a non-infrared style remote shutter release on eBay new for $10. The receiver end plugs into the camera, the other end is a key-fob size button with a 6 inch antenna.

With everything attached and "on" then, the hot stick raises in 5 ft sections with a button release. Raise to the height you want, align the camera in the general direction and snap the first shot. DO NOT move the pole or the angle, review your shot in 3-4 seconds on the laptop screen then adjust angle, pitch, height as you see fit until you get the shot you want. Use the widest angle you can without distortion. You can always crop out the unwanted streets and neighboring houses.

You can also google "Pole Aerial Photography" . There are prefabricated systems you can buy off the shelf and ready to use or least get some good ideas for putting together your own rig.

Good Luck! Be sure to let us know your progress and results.

NorthB - I sort of lucked out on the Hasting Hot Stick. I stopped by the local maintenance garage of the power company to find out where I could go locally to buy one. Turns out, they had one laying there with the bottom section damaged. It had been ran over by a truck and the fiberglass had splintered. They were retiring it because OSHA would no longer allow them to use it. I simply used duct tape and totally wrapped the bottom section so there was no chance of getting cut by the splintered fiberglass.

I've also heard of people using tree trimmers poles, painters poles and window washers poles. I seen a rig that used 3 sections of 10 ft long underground 2 inch electrical conduit but it didn't seem very portable. You may want to check out some of the other options for a pole.

Thanks Doug,

Generally I don't have that kind of luck, but I will give it a shot. Thanks for all the detail provided above.

This will take you to new heights blog.makezine.com/archive/2006/07/make_podcast_weekend_projects_2.html

Given your creative bent if not this project, you will love the site.