Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

It seems to me that if you're at 1000' or more above local elevation depth of field isn't a consideration, so setting the distance to infinity and the aperture to either wide open (for maximum shutter speed) or its sweet spot if a bright enough day will help get the sharpest images. Just guessing, I've played at photography and flying but never both at the same time.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

OKPhotog Loc: Oklahoma

I'm not an expert in aerial photography by any definition, but a couple of years ago we took a "doors off" chopper flight over/around the red rocks of Sedona, AZ. Absolutely loved it! I was shooting a Canon 5D III with a 24-105mm f/4L IS lens. I did a little research in advance and decided in a shutter speed of 1000 to give me an edge with vibration as well as the speed of the chopper. It was cloudy, so I raised the ISO to 1600 to keep my aperture in the 5.6 to 8 range. Resulting images were very sharp.

Good luck and enjoy!

Attaching one image, but this is a lower quality file created for web use.

Aerial of Red Rocks at Sedona, AZ

(Download)

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Both your altitude and focal length will affect the minimum shutter speed. Longer focal length and lower altitude both require faster shutter speeds. Shorter focal length and higher altitude will not require as fast a shutter speed.

Camlane Loc: North Carolina

This is not true. You cannot shoot forward and down. At altitude you will not get motion blur. If it is a small plane, remove door.

HarleyRiderST

We pilots never wear polarizing glasses for that very reason!

kb6kgx Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Though Nikon does make a 55-300mm, I’m pretty sure they don’t make a 55-140mm. Perhaps you have the 18-140mm?

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I will second the non-use of a polarising filter. I preferred shooting with door/window removed. (Make sure you are harnessed - in). The last aerial shooting I did was pre-digital. Best of luck with the weather conditions.

Photocraig

Do not rest any part of your body on the plane's frame. The vibrations will translate through your body. Especially if you're leaning on your shoulder or arm. Practice sitting upright as possible holding your camera and lens with your elbows tucked to your side making a triangle base from elbow to elbow with the apex being your hands holding the camera. Combined with the high shutter speed, and hopefully, Vibration Control or Image Stabilization, if you lens has it, you should do well.

Make sure each shot has a subject. Just a panoramic of nice scenery doesn't tell much beyond the nice. For each set of shots, ask yourself these questions: "What about this picture makes me want a fishing trip, and to choose THIS resort?" "How does this photo of the boats, launch, tackle, dining room, etc. convince that THIS resort is the best one for your viewer?" Since guys will go anywhere to fish, focus on the clean, homey comforts that a woman has a great eye for.

If you must shoot through glass, bring a dark scarf or t-shirt to avoid reflections from the glass, Aircraft windows are often double pane, so there's often a double ghost image. Look for it. If so use the fabric to shield the glass from the light behind you. If you'r lens needs to be on the window, an old trick is to use a couple of rubber bands around the lens rim to cushion and absorb some vibrations.

This is a cool assignment and a perfect example of "being there." Have fun and enjoy the flight time. Be sure to get a few of the pilot and plane, and be sure he or she gets them for themselves, too.

I wanna gooooo. One of these trips is on my bucket list.

ChackbayGuy Loc: South Louisiana

Tried earlier post, so apologize if this duplicates.

Best bet is to open window/canopy/door if at all possible. Take advice above and make sure you have a good grip and more than one strap tied to you/plane. Check aperture if shooting program or auto to make sure you have depth of field necessary for shot you are taking.

rcdovala

I question the use of vibration control since VC was not designed to be used from a vibrating platform. I tried using VC from a high speed ferry from Vancouver to Victoria and the results were horrible. You may want to shoot some of your shots without VC.

marine73 Loc: Modesto California

Discuss the flight with the pilot so he/she understands what you want to do and he can plan the route accordingly. If the terrain allows shoot between 800 and 1200 feet agl, this is where the discussion with the pilot will come in handy. This last time i did any aerial photography was in the late 80's early 90's and was photographing my wifes aunts almond orchard. She lived in Livingstone Ca and i had to work with castle airforce base as i was in their airspace. I was using a Canon AE-1, i don't remember what lens i was using but sure that it was a telephoto with the focus set to infinity and the f stop was probably around 5.6, i was flying a cessna 172 slow flight and was shooting at 1000 feet agl through the right front corner and left front corner windshield and the left side window. No windows were removed and I had no glare from the window or the front windshield. I did all this while flying and maintaining an altitude of 1000 feet. I made my passes starting at the north side of her property going east to west and i was able to get her entire property in the shot. Her property was triangular shaped. I am going to make and assumption and assume that you will be in a high wing aircraft, which is the best for doing handheld photography, when you are doing this make sure most of the photographs do not have any part of the aircraft in them, that is wing, wing strut, floats/wheels, etc. The resort might like a few showing that they were taken from an aircraft. The best photographs will be either almost straight down or on the oblique. If you can get with the pilot and ask him if you can sit in the cockpit or other seat and practice aiming your camera through the windows to get an idea what you can expect to see in the view finder when you are in the air. Also talk with him about direction of flight you want to film from. Remember you have to take into account the terrain and the weather. Have fun and enjoy and you may have just found a new passion in photography.