a publication of professional aerial photographers association international Fall 2013
N199DW by Curtis Waltz
PAPA views
Editor’s view . . . by Julie Belanger SAVE THE DATE! PAPA Las Vegas is scheduled for March 13-15, 2014 Papa Views is written, produced and printed by PAPA members. If you would like to contribute an article, post a classified ad or advertise a product or service with a business card or display ad, please contact Julie Belanger at Julie@the 111th.com
Editor Julie Belanger, 111th Aerial Photography Squadron, Morgan Hill, CA
Layout & Production Dee Ann Mooney, The Positive Image, Houston, TX
2012 PAPA Officers: President Chuck Boyle, Boyle Consulting Engineers cboyle@boyleconsulting.com
Vice President of Programs Vacant Vice President of Membership Kent Larson, DC Air Photos Kent@DCAirPhotos.com
Secretary / Treasurer John Mooney, The Positive Image jmooney@positiveimage.com
Eastern Regional Director Laura Boyko, Sky High Enterprises laura@skyhighenterprises.com
Central Regional Director Kevin Butts, Red Wing Aerial Photography info@ RedWingAerials.com
Western Regional Director Stan Macbean, Photographic Solutions stan@utahbyair.com
International Director Jesper Larsen, Eagle Luft Photo mail@eagleluftphoto.dk
Immediate Past President Pat Belanger, 111th Aerial Photography Squadron Pat@the111th.com
Executive Director Julie Belanger, 111th Aerial Photography Squadron
Julie@the111th.com
Senior Executive Director Ted Campbell, Campbell’s Creative Photography
Pack your lucky rabbit’s foot and practice your best Flying Elvis Impersonation, because PAPA is going to Vegas, Baby! March 13-15, will have aerial photographers from around the world gathering at the Flamingo Hotel on the famous Las Vegas strip for PAPA’s biggest event of the year. This conference is the ONE OPPORTUNITY, IN ONE PLACE where it is ALL ABOUT AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY, YOUR BUSINESS AND YOU! With so many good times and so many good friends made through PAPA, it is easy to forget that PAPA is an educational association. The lineup of presentations at this event makes it a can’t lose experience. We have made this conference worth your time, money and effort to attend with practical and important seminars and workshops. We have even sweetened the deal by adding some fun and extra reasons to attend:
NIGHT PHOTO SHOOT (Wait till you see the AERIAL PLATFORM!) Make PAPA Connections: You can’t have enough FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES You WILL be a BETTER PHOTOGRAPHER just by attending You WILL be MOTIVATED to MARKET YOURSELF in creative new ways. You WILL learn at least ONE NEW PHOTOSHOP TRICK that could transform your work flow. Even if you are new to aerial photography, PAPA has your back! One of the first things you will notice about PAPA members is how generous they are with their information. And this conference will have a “newbie’s” workshop. Longtime members will host the panel of professionals who will answer any question. Ask anything you want...really.
Thinking about skipping the conference? What will be your excuse for missing the most important aerial photographers meeting of the year? Excuse #1: If I need to talk to a PAPA member or need to order a PAPA shoot I’ll just look someone up on the website... Many PAPA members provide aerial photography by utilizing their connections with other PAPA members around the world. Personally, I like to work with people I know. Come to Vegas to meet your fellow aerial photographers face to face. Excuse #2: I hate Las Vegas... Seriously? That’s your reason for not attending? Is it the bright lights? You have a thing against stage shows? All-you-can-eat buffets make you nervous? Get over it. The decision to have the conference in Las Vegas was based on economics: Discount airfares, low cost rooms, great conference facilities at cut rate prices and oh yeah, many of us like bright lights and big buffets. Excuse #3: There is nothing new that I can’t learn on the Internet... Watching step by step how-to videos are very helpful, but it doesn’t take the place of a colleague who knows exactly what I need to make my aerials great. Who else could help you how to clean out a hazy sky, or brightening the land under a big cloud shadow or teach you how to do the perfect vertical. Registration is on-line NOW. Register for your hotel room; the PAPA rate is $99 a night! Confirm your airline ticket: Between Spirit Airlines and Southwest, there are some great bargain fares right NOW. Join us in Las Vegas...You’ll be glad you did.
Member Articles . . . A GIFT FOR ALL PAPA MEMBERS FROM MEMBER BILL HEMMEL Spiff up your web sites, business cards, etc with the new, improved PAPA logo!! I recently printed a mailing piece, along with new business cards. In the process, I discovered what many of you probably know-the PAPA logo- available in gif flavor only- looks awful to start with, and atrocious if even slightly enlarged. So I had it re-engineered and turned into a fully resizable vector image. I also had dueling images made- one looks best on white, the other on black- and in several different file formats. I’ve only included a few here- the ones I find most useful. (more on web site) Bill Hemmel bill@lakesregionaerials.com Lakes Region Aerial Photo NH Thank you, Bill. I know your gift is appreciated by all of PAPA! The logos are available for download by members only on the PAPA website under “Your PAPA”.
Have Your Windows Been Inspected? I strongly urge all you Cessna flyers with left side door windows, that are hinged at the top and swing out and up for photo work........inspect the hinges and the hinge pins. Make sure you don’t have damaged hinges or worn pins....... You could lose the window in flight. I have it on very good authority that this can happen. wp SKYTECH AERIAL PHOTO, LLC. Wayne Parslow (253) 230-3110 Alec Parslow (253) 223-5049 www.skytechaerial.com skytechphoto@comcast.net
PAPA Chat Discussion There was an interesting question on PAPA Chat and it was one of those exchanges that bears repeating for every member of PAPA to hear: Frank Carleton, TOP FLIGHT Aerial Photography asked: I have a job coming up that will need to be flown from a chopper (on the airport during a VERY busy time). They want a vertical of a site that is about 1400 x 1600 feet. Tip up in a fixed wing would be simple. But helicopters have those skid thingies. Can a good pilot do a wing-over? I figure a 35 mm lens at 1600 AGL will cover 1600 feet, so I need to clear the skid with that wide of a lens. Not willing to put my camera on a pole or board to extend it out – I’d rather turn down the job.
Member’s Advice: From Todd Quam, Digital Sky Aerial Imaging Using a helicopter for a tip-over vertical can be done but its not a very pleasant experience. I’ve shared here before that you have a sensation of plunging to your death when that sharp turn is made. I’ve never had access to any sort of a harness so all that is holding me in my seat is that little seat belt with the quick clasp. I remember one time landing and reaching to undo my seatbelt and it was already undone.. made my heart beat a little faster. You can shoot between the strut and the body but on an R22 the most you can get is around 145mm focal length. You’d have to fly to 8,000 feet or more to get your small little parcel shot so that’s not a good option. An R44 has more space between the strut and body but I haven’t done a test to see what you can get there yet. Not sure where you’d anchor at in the front seat of an R22 though... maybe someone else knows of a spot? From Steve Hane, MetroAir Photo I have done steep banks in R22s just as well as 172s. You may have skids, but you can avoid them like the fixed gear. A Cardinal RG would be ideal, but you’re probably right to have the added flexibility in crowded airspace that a helo can afford. I would discuss your needs with the pilot to see how steep he can get it. You may also look at how far out the skids come. I tend to think that the skids on an R22 are closer to the passenger compartment than the gear on a 172 and therefore less of a factor, but I don’t have the specs in front of me. From Wayne Parslow Skytech Aerial Photo I’d consider a rock climber harness, a couple locking biners and maybe a couple runners to adjust the space between you and the anchor point in the helo. Should be able to buy them all for around $150. Very light weight and will never fail you. Any climbing shop will have them From Curtis Waltz, Aerialscapes Inc. Here’s my experience. Last month was restricted to about 1200’ - 1400’ AGL by O›Hare and shot a city block (1350’) vertical at 24mm in an R22. Captured width was 1750’. Was it easy? Not at all. But that was more because of the low altitude and wide lens than anything to do with an R22. If anything, it was easier than fixed wing because it was more maneuverable, able to turn tighter, and make repeat attempts much more quickly. I mean, we had to be dead nuts center for it to work at all - being anywhere else over the site meant the vertical was useless, simply because of the low altitude and wide lens. (Continued on p.7)
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Fall 2013
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Review of Sun Sniper Double Plus Harness System
Years of Teamwork PAPA Friends,
I recently received the Sun-Sniper Double Plus Harness system to D ttry out and I found it very simple and easy to use. In just minutes I a had both of my cameras attached h and the harness positioned and a I was ready to go. The harness is perfect for someone who event photography like tradeshows, photographs eve conferences, weddings and sports. It allows you to grab the camera you need, quickly, without needing to take the time to change lenses, possibly missing a key image. It could conceivably work in both an airplane and helicopter as well, as a means to ensure your camera doesn’t fall out of the aircraft while flying. The stainless steel ball bearing connector that fastens to your camera tripod socket is very well made and provides the confidence that it is securely locked onto your camera. I’d recommend it to anyone shooting with multiple cameras. Todd Quam Digital Sky Aerial Imaging todd@digitalsky.us More Information about Sun Sniper can be found at h p://www.sun-sniper.com
As photographers we all know that our work is as much an art and a style as technical know-how. Having worked for Squire Haskins Photography for 23+ years, I have been blessed to have worked with one of the most kind, generous, honest, and humble photographers. As some of you may not have heard, Rick Weatherly, of Squire Haskins Photography passed away this summer. He’d been battling cancer for over two years. I’d spent years sharing his love/passion for what we do. Rick took care to do the best with each project, no matter how small. He was an honorable man who stood behind his work. Squire Haskins has worked that way for over 60 years, and so it shall remain. I have taken over the reins of the day-to-day operations and also the bulk of the photography. I have been so fortunate to have support from a couple of fellow photographers who helped Rick out when he was struggling with his strength, and even before, when we were just too busy for one guy to do it all. Our clients have told me they see that my eye was well trained by Rick and Ben Haskins. I did start in this business as a schooled photographer; now I’m out putting it to use. Squire Haskins Photography is still open for business, working in Rick’s humble fashion. Karen Campbell, Photographer, Office Mgr. squireh@swbell.net
Here’s the Scoop! PAPA’s 2014 Annual conference will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada March 13-15, 2014 at the Flamingo Hotel. Take advantage of the special room rate by booking through https://resweb.passkey.com/go/SFPAP4 or call 888-373-9855 to secure a reservation on our group block - be sure to tell them you are with Professional Aerial Photographers OR use the group code SFPAP4 to get PAPA’s special group rate. Deadline for the group rate is 02/18/2014, so make your reservations soon!
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Fall 2013
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For Sale: Epson 9880 Like New! Lightly used. Reason for selling: Lightly used $2995. This fantastic printer produces the highest quality imagery up to 44” wide. If you can use a large format printer, now is your opportunity to have a great printer at a great price. Purchased new from John Massman at Logix. Meticulously maintained. The price includes: BRAND NEW, unopened (220 ml) Genuine Epson Inks: (Retail price $112 each) 2 Cyan, 2 L Black, 2 Vivid Magenta, 1 L Cyan, 1 Yellow, 1 Vivid L Magenta, 1 Photo Black, 1 L L Black. 2 Black Ink Conversion kits 1 Ink Level Resetting System Epson Professional Photo paper: 24” x 100’ Premium Glossy Roll Paper (Full Roll) (Retail price $135) 44” x 100’ Premium Glossy Roll Paper (Full Roll) (Retail price $235) 24” x 100’ Premium Luster Roll Paper (Partial Roll) 44” x 100’ Premium Luster Roll Paper (Partial Roll) 44” x 100’ Premium Canvas Matte Roll (Nearly Full Roll) (Retail price $229) Shipping is possible. For more information and to purchase the printer, contact: Julie or Pat Belanger, 111th Aerials; 111thAerials@gmail.com; 408-683-9111
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PAPA Denmark International Conference Report PAPA in Denmark September 19-20 2013. Host: Jesper Larsen, Eagle Luftfoto Attendees: Yves, Photohelico, CA; David, Heliview, UK; Andrew, Aerial-Photography-UK; Robert, FL4 , UK; Benny, Hasselblad, DK We had a great two days here in Odense, Denmark. We all met Thursday morning at the hotel Ansgar in Odense. Then we walked the 10 min. walk to Focus Telemarketing, who sell for Jesper. We met up with Uffe Andersen, chief for the aerial division. He told us everything about how to make a perfect phone call and how to close the sale. That was very inspiring. That man has so much energy and that definitely helps when you want to sell. We drove to the Hans C Christian Andersen Airport, 15 min away: Also known as Jesper´s Airport. Jesper had a presentation, on how he is handling 300+ orders. He showed us his web based program, where he can keep track of everything regarding all his orders.
Presentation by Uffe Andersen, Focus Telemarketing
At the airport
We had lunch at the airport.
In the afternoon Michael from HCA Airport told us about the future in the Drone world and the certification etc. Yves told us how he is having success with his sale technique. Very inspiring to hear about the way he works. In the evening, we had a great dinner in Odense, sponsored by Hasselblad. Friday morning, we met at the airport and started discussing how to make a 360 degree photo from an airplane. Jesper showed some of his samples. Yves, telling about his way to the sale.
T Three guys from Copenhagen came to tell about their project and show us a real Drone.
They are working on a project about analyzing vertical photos, used for farmers. It´s going to be an online tool where a farmer can login every time he has new verticals taken, about every 2 weeks, and the program will tell where the biomass is not as good as the rest of the field. In that way the farmer will know where in the field to drive and see why the crop is not doing well. Very Dave told us about his business in the UK. interesting project.
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Fall 2013
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PAPA Western Regional Conference Report Pueblo, Colorado: October 26, 2013. Hosts: Stan Macbean, Jim & John Wark L Late October skies in Pueblo were severe clear and the ttemperatures were pleasantly warm for the PAPA Western w Regional. Most of the attendees R arrived on Friday to find Kent a Larsen had already been there L ffor a couple of days enjoying tthe great weather and the hospitality of Jim and John h Wark. Some had the time to W visit the Air Museum and view some pretty amazing planes, including own g a T-28 T 28 that was flflown by none other that Jim Wark himself. Allen and I flew our plane in from Utah, Dave Witt flew his Cardinal all the way from Minnesota, and Mitch Bowers flew his 182 down from Denver on Saturday morning. Other members flew commercial or drove in from several locations. We were pleased to have our President, p Chuck Boyle and his wife Suzanne, C ccome from North Carolina. Friday night everyone enjoyed an informal n dinner at El Nopal, one of the d Wark’s favorite southwest style W rrestaurants, and then rested up for an inspirational i i ti l day d on Saturday. S After a very nice breakfast at the Marriott, we made a short 2 A block trek to the Center for American Values for the day’s educational pursuits. The meeting facility was set up to honor Medal of Honor recipients, and included an inspiring display of photographs and quotes from many of our greatest generation military heroes. Jim Wark then took to the podium and it was soon clear that our trip to Colorado was worth any effort to be there. Jim gave an amazing presentation on the state of aerial stock photography, with many examples from his extensive library of images from all over the country and points beyond. Questions were answered, suggestions given, and techniques discussed. Jim then made a much appreciated gift to all participants of signed copies of his book, America Flying High. For lunch we drove to the Pueblo Airport and ate at the Spitfire Cafe, overlooking the runway environment. After lunch we enjoyed a tour of members aircraft on the ramp along with a discussion of various equipment, and then to the Wark’s hanger for more inspiration and discussion. The afternoon session back at the meeting room featured John Wark and his presentation on photographing and selling images from the Colorado fires and floods. This was great session
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Fall 2013
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Vertical Aerial Photography From A Practical Perspective – Or – How We Do It For Fun N’ Profit! Susan Hedenberg, Flying H Aerial Pictures/Aerial Photographers LLC Just like many aerial photographers, we had the occasional request for a ver cal shot. For a couple of years, we did “wing over” ver cals but when we got a client that wanted a lot of them regularly, we opted to put a hole in the floor of our Maule. Not knowing anything about all the high tech equipment required for ver cal photography, we did as we always do, we improvised. PAPA member and current President Chuck Boyle, had given a home-made camera mount to our good friend, PAPA member and VP of Membership Kent Larson. We borrowed it and copied it! It cost us about $30 for our local machine shop to make one. The Really Right Stuff camera brackets cost 3- mes more than the whole mount cost – but it has served us well. As me went by, we went from single shot ver cals to straight lines with some s tching. The biggest challenge for us has always been the s tching. I own or have tried just about every piece of mosaicing so ware out there. There are a few that do pre y well with 20 images or less but it takes a lot of me on the ground for the processing. Then we met PAPA members Brian Harvey and Dr. Paul Dare at the PAPA Annual Conference last year in Baton Rouge. Well THAT changed our lives… Brian is an excellent tutor and schooled me well in understanding the concepts and requirements for orthoimagery. Paul and his Chief So ware Engineer Simon have developed excellent so ware and hardware that is very affordable and makes ver cal photography very easy. It is so exci ng to be able to show a client what you can do - that they can afford! There is a HUGE market out there! We can provide current, high-resolu on ver cal imagery for less than 1/3rd of what it would cost for cer fied orthoimagery. Some mes, cer fied isn’t necessary for the client’s needs – the buzz phrase is ‘Fit for Purpose’ imagery. If the purpose for the imagery is to see what an area looks like from the air rather than using it for specifica ons to build a bridge or building, then what we do fit’s the bill. We’ve photographed freeway construc on, ocean and bay shorelines, central business districts, coal mines, ski resorts in summer, hiking trails, reservoir construc on, agricultural fields, just to name a few. Where we live in Virginia, there are many small towns and coun es that cannot afford Pictometry or like services. Here, one County buys imagery every two-years and the smaller towns cost share usage. The cost is upwards of $30,000 every two years! Now, they have us to provide real- me highresolu on, ‘Fit For Purpose’ imagery at a cost they can individually afford. My county GIS Manager loves the fact that he can get current imagery in a ma er of days. We have even provided imagery that includes Digital Surface Models that are orthorec fied and contain terrain height informa on. Listen to me – 6 months ago I thought “ortho” only referred to den stry! Believe it or not, it’s very simple to overlay street and property boundaries, site plans and borders right on the imagery. Making GoogleEarth kmz’s is a breeze and land developers and real estate professionals love them (and are willing to pay for them). So here’s how WE do it – step by step: We have Randy Anderson’s Site Locator on our website (great tool) and have our clients draw their own outline of what they want photographed, or we ask them for a shape file or kml from GoogleEarth. We ask about the purpose of the imagery and help them decide on what resolu on they need (unless they’ve already specified). We load the .kmz file into Paul’s Flight Planner so ware and in less than a minute, it spits out our flight lines, speed, al tude, resolu on and camera trigger points. It used to take me HOURS to figure out the camera field of view, al tude needed for a par cular lens, image overlap and me between shu er actua ons, speed, etc. Then I had to build all the runs in GoogleEarth, transfer it to Garmin so ware and load it into our GPS for Dan to fly. A er we flew and photographed the job, there was the task of s tching, Photoshopping and delivering the mosaiced image (more HOURS). Now – and this is sooo simple, we just grab the laptop that has the Flight Planner files on it, a 7” monitor for the pilot, the Aviatrix camera trigger box and GPS, camera and get in the airplane.
PAPA’s 2014 International Conference March 13-15, 2014 Flamingo Hotel
Las Vegas, Nevada