cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

First, I'm not trying to pass these off as wonderful, or even good, photography. Just trying to show the wonders--and hazards--of a popular activity. (Other Hoggers have commented on this at other times.) Did some PP on the last shot as an example; the others are straight JPGs from my D800. This was a Jack Harter doors-off flight. Highly recommend these guys. Pilot was excellent and took us in close to many beautiful features. BUT, I got the best seat, right-hand side, front row. If you end up in the middle (they distribute the customers by weight for balance), your shooting is compromised. $269 per person for a guaranteed 60 minutes in the air. If heights bother you, the doors-off experience may not be your best choice.

First problem, a little rain, which was instantly all over the lens. Belted in, I couldn't get to my lens cloth. What to do? Waited for the rain to stop and stuck the camera out into the slipstream/rotor wash--air-dried in seconds! Whew!

Next, wide-angle shots can pick up rotor blades (see #1). Best bet is to take a burst and hope you get a clean one. Use a fast shutter speed to counter vibration and chopper motion. No. 1 is also the only one shot through the windshield. With front lighting, it's not bad, and could be improved in PP.

Weather on Kauai'i runs the gamut (Harter says they won't fly if weather impacts safety or good viewing). We were lucky and got sun on the Na Pali coast; still the air wasn't especially clear. I've shown some options on the last shot--the color version is a real quick levels/contrast adjustment; the b&w was done in Photoshop by playing with the RGB channels. No doubt many of you could do even better. Enjoy!

1. Through the windshield, with rotor blade


2. Fascinating landforms


3. For scale, note the trees


4. Backlit ocean


5. Approaching Ke'e Beach


6. Ke'e (pronounced kay-ay) Beach (original)


7. Same as 6 with level/contrast mods


8. Same as 6 as B&W using RGB channels

Lenf Loc: Strasburg,PA

thank you for the great shots

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Stunning vistas, very interesting story (I'll never go up :) ) and some super advice. Terrific series!

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

Lenf & Linda -- Thanks for taking a look and for your kind thoughts! Great vistas indeed. Now I have to turn a few of them into better photos!

Meives Loc: FORT LAUDERDALE

[quote=cabunit]One of the most beautiful places on earth. Thanks for posting. David

photonutbob Loc: ME,CT,MA

Hi cabunit: I have done two helo rides in Hawaii and loved them both. I got lucky and always got the no 2 spot, right hand seat in the front row, always
great shooting.

waynpete Loc: Butte, MT

I, also, enjoyed a helicopter tour (even though a mechanical delay bothered me!). I ,especially, loved
the portion over Wiamea Canyon.

rblumaz Loc: Prescott, AZ

Believe done this same ride and was spectacular. Thanks for the shots. Believe I had to sharpen most of mine due to the humidity getting in the way :-) And thank goodness for seatbelts.

gemlenz Loc: Gilbert Arizona

:thumbup: :thumbup:

cabunit Loc: SE Connecticut

Many thanks everyone!

@ rblumaz--yes, haze and humidity were issues that whole week, both on the coast and in Waimea Canyon. I've countered them with some B&W conversions, but of course you lose the beautiful blue ocean and the rich green of the landforms. As for seatbelts, roger that! I was a little apprehensive on the ground when I saw that part of my seat was actually OUTSIDE the body of the chopper, but once we were airborne I just went with it and had a blast!