Aerial cinematography techniques
There are a lot of different techniques that can be utilized for aerial cinematography which we'll be talking about on this site. First you've got to master the basics with solid editing and filming techniques, as well as know the lingo.
Aerial Cinematography & Filming made Simple: common terms
Aerial videography can seem complex, but some of the basic shots aren't as hard as you think with a skilled pilot and the right assets (see below). An "aerial shot" is done from a crane or helicopter and is best suited to scenes on top of buildings, if you're shooting a scene from a movie or TV drama. Aerial shots are divided into two main categories: "oblique" shots and "vertical" shots.
High vs. Low Oblique:
Filming from an angle is known as an oblique shot or photograph (if it's a still). The aerial filming video below shows the wide variety of oblique shots - notice how the helicopter is not directly above anything it is shooting. If it's not looking directly down, it's oblique! Easy to remember. Low obliques are taken when the helicopter is not very high off the ground, creating a low angle. High or "steep" obliques are taken when the camera and aircraft/helicopter are higher off the ground, creating a steeper angle, almost like a vertical aerial shot.
Panorama:
Most of us are familiar with panoramas since many consumer cameras and even smart phones now have panoramic views - they show a "stitched together" image. On video, they include going back and forth slowly to show an elongated view. For the clearest video, make sure you move slowly - whether the vehicle itself or your camera.
Vertical Aerial Shot:
A vertical aerial shot is shooting straight down. Vertical aerial shots can show how things look on ground level from a completely different perspective. Popular subject matter includes city streets, looking down at herds of animals and forests / nature.
Orthophotomaps:
Ortho...whats? Whenever you see a GPS picture of an actual area, that's an orthophotomap. These are often created by stitching photos together. As you can imagine, these are very useful for land navigation and need to updated as areas grow in order to be useful.
High vs. Low Oblique:
Filming from an angle is known as an oblique shot or photograph (if it's a still). The aerial filming video below shows the wide variety of oblique shots - notice how the helicopter is not directly above anything it is shooting. If it's not looking directly down, it's oblique! Easy to remember. Low obliques are taken when the helicopter is not very high off the ground, creating a low angle. High or "steep" obliques are taken when the camera and aircraft/helicopter are higher off the ground, creating a steeper angle, almost like a vertical aerial shot.
Panorama:
Most of us are familiar with panoramas since many consumer cameras and even smart phones now have panoramic views - they show a "stitched together" image. On video, they include going back and forth slowly to show an elongated view. For the clearest video, make sure you move slowly - whether the vehicle itself or your camera.
Vertical Aerial Shot:
A vertical aerial shot is shooting straight down. Vertical aerial shots can show how things look on ground level from a completely different perspective. Popular subject matter includes city streets, looking down at herds of animals and forests / nature.
Orthophotomaps:
Ortho...whats? Whenever you see a GPS picture of an actual area, that's an orthophotomap. These are often created by stitching photos together. As you can imagine, these are very useful for land navigation and need to updated as areas grow in order to be useful.
Aerial Filming: The Basics
How do you take good video in the sky or even become an aerial photographer or cinematographer full time? Well, first you need to get in the air. Most use small airplanes or helicopters for aerial filming, depending on what you have access to. But you also need the gear and the skills. The journey to becoming an aerial photographer is a process, but it's well worth it!
Step One: Get in the Air
To film in the sky, you need access to an airplane or helicopter. While being on a high location like a mountain may seem like a cheap alternative, you won't be able to follow or move from a fixed vantage point and will only get one shot, so most use aircraft / helicopters. Some aerial photographers and cinematographers even offer flight lessons.
Step Two: Acquire the Gear
Aerial filming requires being steady - you don't want to lose your gear! Like most cinematography, a mount or tripod is imperative. Make sure your batteries are reliable and your lenses can zoom and focus well. Some helicopters and airplanes have special cameras built in. Either way, ensure that your gear is 100% secure and won't fall or get damaged.
Step Three: Hone your Skills
Practice on land first. If you aren't a good videographer / cinematographer period, you will be lacking when you take your skills sky high. Practice video editing and production, try different types of shots, software, and aim for quick, clean edits. You should be pretty confident in how to use your camera and edit the footage so your time in the sky can be used to its fullest.
Step Four: Put it All Together
Once you've gotten your sweet ride into the sky, the right gear, and solid video production skills, you're ready to go! Start planning on how to put these assets all together. Try Think about what kinds of clients would need aerial videography and film. Who knows, maybe you'll be shooting the next big TV show or movie from above?
How do you take good video in the sky or even become an aerial photographer or cinematographer full time? Well, first you need to get in the air. Most use small airplanes or helicopters for aerial filming, depending on what you have access to. But you also need the gear and the skills. The journey to becoming an aerial photographer is a process, but it's well worth it!
Step One: Get in the Air
To film in the sky, you need access to an airplane or helicopter. While being on a high location like a mountain may seem like a cheap alternative, you won't be able to follow or move from a fixed vantage point and will only get one shot, so most use aircraft / helicopters. Some aerial photographers and cinematographers even offer flight lessons.
Step Two: Acquire the Gear
Aerial filming requires being steady - you don't want to lose your gear! Like most cinematography, a mount or tripod is imperative. Make sure your batteries are reliable and your lenses can zoom and focus well. Some helicopters and airplanes have special cameras built in. Either way, ensure that your gear is 100% secure and won't fall or get damaged.
Step Three: Hone your Skills
Practice on land first. If you aren't a good videographer / cinematographer period, you will be lacking when you take your skills sky high. Practice video editing and production, try different types of shots, software, and aim for quick, clean edits. You should be pretty confident in how to use your camera and edit the footage so your time in the sky can be used to its fullest.
Step Four: Put it All Together
Once you've gotten your sweet ride into the sky, the right gear, and solid video production skills, you're ready to go! Start planning on how to put these assets all together. Try Think about what kinds of clients would need aerial videography and film. Who knows, maybe you'll be shooting the next big TV show or movie from above?