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Cheap PAP (Pole Aerial Photography)

Earlier I posted about the Evolution of My PAP System, and found a couple more articles that others have posted which you might want to read.

They are Inexpensive Pole Aerial Photography (PAP) and Malcolm Waring's Comments on PAP. Both are found on Photography for Real Estate, a great resource.

Earlier this year I introduced Pole Aerial Photography (PAP) to ActiveRain. Margaret Hokkanen has written several blogs about PAP. They include Pool Pics by Pole, When to use Pole Photography (PAP) and when not to use it, and Street Photos vs. Pole Pics - Side by Side.

The bottom line is that you can spend a lot of money on a commercial system, or spend a good amount of money to build a nice system, or not much money for a system that is simple and does exactly what is needed. A painter's pole and your camera's timer works like a charm. The only frill I would add is a monitor at the base of the pole so you can see what the camera sees, saving you a lot of time retaking pictures to get the right composition. Portable DVD players have come down in price so much that they are cheaper than portable LCD TV's.

You can always put the camera on your tripod, set the timer and lift it above your head. If you don't have a tripod, get one. Your interior photos will improve from just using one. We'll give you some more pointers on how to improve your interior shots later.

One more thing. I do aerial photography (from a plane) and in order to not confuse my clients, I call it, elevated photography. PAP just sounds weird and Pole Aerial Photography is too long.

Posted by Lee Jinks on 12/11/2007 11:22 AM

Comments (17)

pap, pole aerial photography, cheap

17 Comments on Cheap PAP (Pole Aerial Photography)

DEC

2007

Thanks for the posts about PAP. This is an area I haven't yet used but will definitely be exploring. It occurs to me that, rather than using a timer, if I get a long USB cable I can connect my Canon to my laptop and use the Remote Capture software to control the camera.

Thanks again for stimulating the grey matter!

Don, a remote shutter release is the next nicety, but then we are getting away from the "cheap" theme. USB cables can only be so long. You might check into that. I also think a remote shutter release is necessary when you get to the height which it's not practical to raise and lower the pole for each shot. I would say more than 15 or 20 feet.

As for a laptop, I have purposely stayed away from adding a laptop to everything that I carry around. The pole takes all my attention to control, especially at the greater heights. I can also carry the collapsed pole with one hand and use the other to open doors and such.

I could put the pole on a stand or tripod so I can operate the computer, but then I need a pan/tilt unit to control the direction of the camera and I've just added more stuff and weight to carry around. I think above 30' you do need a base to put the pole on. At that time the computer control would not be any extra hassle. Again, I think this discussion would be better on the "Really Nice PAP System" blog.

Mounting a small monitor at the base of the pole is great for composing the shots. My current video feed and shutter release are wired. I think the next step is wireless. A small video transmitter and receiver would be good, but it does add to the complexity a bit. A wireless shutter release isn't too big a deal. You can find several vendors for wireless shutter releases on the market.

FEB

2008

Hi Lee,

I have only just discovered Pole Aerial Photography, in large part due to your posts. I'm excited to learn more and begin my own experiements and would like to soon add this service to my Virtual Tour business offerings. I wonder, what type of camera are you using on your pole? I have read so many posts, I apologize if I missed this information. There is no way I would put my main camera up a pole to take aerial shots... I would certainly invest in a 2nd camera specifically for this purpose; any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Vikki Granger

Don - Have been doing a little research on USB cables myself since I also have a Canon and the Remote Capture feature. You can buy active 16' USB extension cables that permit you to extend the distance by up to 80' if you chain 4 together plus a 16' device cable. Active because they boost the signal - see for example: http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=160362 Haven't taken the time to buy a cable and experiment with it yet and I suspect there will be an issue with it being cumbersome. . . .

Vikki - I have been using a Canon Powershot A510 for mine (actually I use it for everything). Nice feature for PAP is the programmable shutter delay - I can program the delay up to 10 seconds and 10 shots. So I set it for 10 secs and 3 pics and then hoist it up and let it snap 3 pics - odds are good one will turn out OK. I suppose I could set it for 10 secs and 10 pics and try moving the pole during shooting for a couple different views. BTW I use a swimming pool pole for my PAP system - like this: http://www.poolsaz.com/Sta-Rite-8-15-Telescopic-Thread-Lock-Pool-Pole-p/strac4006.htm Collapses to 8' for so, very ridgid at 16' but lightweight aluminum and the end has holes pre-cut for snapping in various pool cleaning accessories likes brushes and nets. The holes make it convenient to affix the camera to the pole using cable ties or whatever. I attach my camera to my tripod shoe and then cable tie it to the end of the pole, set the shutter and bam, instant PAP like so:

Aerial photo - 14110 N 126th

Thank you so much for this quick response. I am so excited to try this. I mentioned it to my husband and his first reaction was to scoff at it because he thought it was way out of our price range! I can't wait to show him your method and have him build my system!

I will post when I have my first shot!

Thanks again!

Vikki

FEB

2008

Vikki,

I will eagerly wait for your post.

FEB

2008

Hi,

While we are looking into supplies to build our "rig", can you tell me the steps you take (if any) to adjust or correct verticle disortion? I have seen this option in Photoshop but have never felt the need to explore is fucntion. Should I start experimenting?

Thanks,

Vikki

Vikki,

I think what you are talking about is when lines that should be vertical converge (lean in or out) sometimes called keystoning. I turn on grid (Ctrl-V, G); Image-Transform-perspective, but often end up using distort. These menu and control keys are for Photoshop Elements.

I'm usually far enough away from the subject, that this isn't too much of a problem from the pole.

FEB

2008

Samples from my rig:

FYI: CLICK the photo above to take an interactive tour of the entire home.

Here is a self portrait of me with the controller:

Jay Groccia

OnSite Studios

Jay,

On your own blog I asked that you tell us about your rig. I'm quite interested!

I actually purchased a used system on ebay - it came with both the pole and an helium blimp that can lift the rig as high as I want. I read that you are a pilot so for the benefit of others reading this post I'll mention that aircraft are restricted from flying under 1,500 feet in populated areas. The mast and balloon system allows me to shoot a home or business "up close and personal". The system was built by Southern Balloon Works. I had some issues when I got the system and at this time I am running a cable to the ground for the video. I'll replace the video transmitter this spring.

The controller looks like a model airplane controller with a 7" LCD monitor. It allows me to turn the camera on/off, zoom in/out, tilt up/down, and pan left/right. The pole is a very simple flagpole that uses a large aluminum plate that the car drives over to keep the system stable. The camera is mounted to a servo controlled gimbal.

As my business grows I may end up investing in a pneumatic mast that will be permanently mounted to a vehicle and allow the camera to go up to 65 feet.

I also shoot traditional aerials - here is one that I did last fall.

FYI: CLICK the photo for an interactive tour of the home.

Jay Groccia

OnSite Studios

FEB

2008

Jay, I love the idea of the balloon, going to go check that out now. What a great shot!

Lee- This is really great technology. Jay has some really great photos. I need a few more closings to get this type of equipment. It is inspiring.

Lee,

It is always good to experiment and learn some new skills.

What has been your experience with others taking your photos?

Steve

Steve,

I have a professional photographer I use. I have even taught him how to use my PAP system to use on his other jobs. He does great work and is incredible with virtual tours. He's got better skill and better equipment than me, but for my lower end homes, I can't justify him making an extra trip when I'm already there. Besides I know what I want to showcase and if I have to be there to show him the view I want, I might as well take the photo myself. Does that make me a control freak?

FEB

2008

intersting to see what others are doing with their photos....I have lots to learn...... I currently use 2 different cameras: 1) my small camera Samsung Digimax L50 and 2) Samsung Pro-815. What are your thoughts

Roland, I don't know anything about the Sigimax L50, but the Samsung Pro-815 looks impressive. A 28-420mm f/2.2-4.6 lense and a 3.5" LCD (nice!). All I can say is that it's much nicer than the camera I'm using. You should be able to do some really nice work this your Pro-815.

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