Pole Non-Aerial Photography

[PubUltraStar]

Used my G9 today attached to a pole, and instead of getting an elevated set of pictures, did the opposite, and had the camera inches off the ground while riding a bike as my Dog Maximus runs along side. Used a wide angle lens attached to G9, connected to a small expendable painters pole with the Kasey Pole Adapter, and headed out to the nearby State recreation area. I used the same CHDK script I normally use with Kite Aerial Photography. Max is a great running dog, and I've been waiting to capture him in full stride. Here's a couple of my favorites.

http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/photos/638824332_vEykp-M.jpg (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/Pets/Maximus/Maximus-Running-Biking/9509442_bSXXs#638824332_vEykp)

http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/photos/638839047_bDE2o-M.jpg (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/Pets/Maximus/Maximus-Running-Biking/9509442_bSXXs#638839047_bDE2o)

http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/photos/638842168_d63Ut-M.jpg (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/Pets/Maximus/Maximus-Running-Biking/9509442_bSXXs#638842168_d63Ut)

For additional pictures from this series, click here. (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/Pets/Maximus/Maximus-Running-Biking)

For a list of parts needed to build a Pole Aerial Photography rig, visit my blog. (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/gallery/7989600_sLA5n)

[Fergie]

Very good and all when the dog had only one paw on the ground.

Would like to see a photo of your pole set-up.

Cheers.

[ScottKCooper]

Number 2 is great!

[richierich1212]

nice shots!

[maxblack]

#2 is cool. He is happy, happy!

[kito109654]

I love number 2. I would also like to see your pole setup. :)

[PubUltraStar]

Here are the parts I use for my newest pole aerial photography rig. This pole is much smaller than my other painters pole, but it's got a cushioned foam handle, and a push button release to extend the pole. The shortest length of this was perfect for the "just above ground" shots while riding the bike. The wide angle lens adapter for the G9 helps for the close up shots, while still getting a good wide shot.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3896363519_642743148c.jpg (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3897144888_0124512e4c.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3897144888_0124512e4c.jpg)

Shows how the pole extends.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3525/3896364465_a5c99f7b44.jpg (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com)

Here is my original homemade PAP camera rig. Not as professional looking, but still gets the job done for those of you who are DIY'ers.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2474/3896364087_c603864ba1.jpg (http://photography.m2creativedesign.com)

Shur-Line Easy Reach Painters Pole (http://www.homedepot.com/Paint-Brushes-Roller-Covers-Extension-Poles/h_d1/N-5yc1vZary0Z1xr5/R-100534761/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053) from Home Depot
Kasey Pole Adapter (http://www.mpex.com/browse.cfm/4,12857.html) from Midwest Photo Exchange
Adorama Universal Swivel Holder (http://www.adorama.com/LTUSH.html) from Adorama
Canon G9 (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=15669) running CHDK with Wide Angle Lens
http://photography.m2creativedesign.com

[gfspencer]

That's a very interesting setup but I'm missing something. How do you trigger the shot? Do you set the camera on a timer? Is there something in CHDK script that you need to make the shot?

When using the painter's poll how far off the ground can you get the camera?

Once again, very cool!

[PubUltraStar]

How do you trigger the shot?
I use the SDM or StereoData Maker variant of CHDK, which runs a script to take a picture every few seconds. It's the same script that I use for Kite Aerial photography, but there I change the settings on the script to also do some zooming.

Do you set the camera on a timer?
You can change the timing on the CHDK script, but I usually just have the camera take pictures as fast as it can. Once I'm done with a session, I might have hundreds of pictures on the card, but using the Auto-CHDK scripting method, I usually get something that is good.

Is there something in CHDK script that you need to make the shot?
The CHDK script can mimic almost any function or button that the Canon camera's can perform, so you can pretty much have it do whatever you want it to. Just google CHDK and look at the forums on that site, and you'll find everything you've ever want to know about running the alternative firmware on your camera.

When using the painter's poll how far off the ground can you get the camera?
The camera was 1 to 2 inches off the ground while I was riding, but never really in danger of hitting the ground.

[gfspencer]

The camera was 1 to 2 inches off the ground while I was riding, but never really in danger of hitting the ground.
Thanks for the information!

For the painter's poll I was actually asking how high can you get your camera? 10 feet? 15 feet? 20 feet? It seems to me that you could take some great shots that way. For example, you could produce some interesting shots at an outdoor party.
_______________
By the way, I really liked your photos. And your dog is great! We have a person in town who has "rescue" grayhounds. Beautiful dogs. I've always thought I would like one but was afraid I couldn't exercise one enough.

[flapsmcgee]

That's an awesome idea well done mate

[PubUltraStar]

For the painter's poll I was actually asking how high can you get your camera? 10 feet? 15 feet? 20 feet?

Sorry, for this pole, I can get like 12 feet. My other pole, which is much longer can extend to lover 25 feet. Using the pole for Aerial shots is the main idea for having this rig. I just happened that I used in in reverse for these dog shots. I've done some Residential real estate photos using the longer poles to get different perspectives on properties, and I plan on using the short pole at a wedding in a couple of weeks to get some interesting Reception photos.

Here's an example of a residential shot from the longer pole:
http://photography.m2creativedesign.com/photos/618892522_8ZhXV-M.jpg

[PubUltraStar]

By the way, I really liked your photos. And your dog is great! We have a person in town who has "rescue" grayhounds. Beautiful dogs. I've always thought I would like one but was afraid I couldn't exercise one enough.

Thanks! However, my dog is a weimaraner. He gets mistaken for a greyhound all the time.

[gfspencer]

Thanks! However, my dog is a weimaraner. He gets mistaken for a greyhound all the time.
Sorry. He's still a cool looking dog!

These pole shots have opened up a whole new kind of photography for me. I've got to go to two weddings in October. (No, I'm not the wedding photographer. Thank goodness. Too much work.) I'm going to see what I can rig up and maybe take a few overhead shots of the guests.

[PubUltraStar]

These pole shots have opened up a whole new kind of photography for me. I've got to go to two weddings in October. (No, I'm not the wedding photographer. Thank goodness. Too much work.) I'm going to see what I can rig up and maybe take a few overhead shots of the guests.

Awesome! Be sure to post pictures of your rig, and also shots from the wedding.

m2

[PlayersZ28]

Nice setup. Interesting method to just fire away and sort the results. What does PAP refer to?

[PubUltraStar]

What does PAP refer to?

Pole Aerial Photography. Search for that on flickr, and you'll find a bunch of people getting aerial shots from the end of poles. Always neat to see a different perspective.

[PlayersZ28]

Pole Aerial Photography. Search for that on flickr, and you'll find a bunch of people getting aerial shots from the end of poles. Always neat to see a different perspective.

Thanks! I've seen poles used for photos and actually looked at getting one when I was thinking of doing some real estate work but I just never saw the acronym before.

[randolph45]

I don't think my G5 will take chkd but i read this thread and took some shots off my mono-pod fully extended over my head at arms length .Was fun ,but using the timer and lcd tilted toward me doesn't give to much control .Funny thing ,I was at a street fair and a wedding party was using the local theater marque and lobby for background so got some overheads of that.Sorry no shots to show ,still have to work out sending them here:)

[PubUltraStar]

For cameras that cannot use CHDK, the 10 second timer usually works. However, I have heard of people taping the shutter down, so they can keep the camera in the air longer. Otherwise, for each picture, you have to bring the pole down and reset.

[purplem76]

Wondering if you only use the g9 on the pole and if you would ever use a corded remote for the pole?

[PubUltraStar]

Wondering if you only use the g9 on the pole and if you would ever use a corded remote for the pole?

I use the G9 for lots of other things, but mostly for Kite Aerial Photography, and once and while for Pole Aerial Photography. When I use my smaller extendable pole, I have actually used my Canon 5D MarkII and 50d with the TC-80N3 Remote Timer Controller and set it to snap images every few seconds. It all depends on what I'm trying to capture, and what settings I need. I have seen on flickr some people using a cord going up the pole for a way to snap the shutter. The best way for the G9 would be to use a remote and CHDK. For me, having it take pics every few seconds seems to work fine. I did a wedding with the 50d and a fisheye on the shorter extendable pole, and got some good shots out on the dance floor looking down. Like I said, different perspective.

[stiff neck]

The G10 (and probably most of the others) allows you to program it to shoot repeated shots automatically from a delay timer. Try it.Go to Menu, Drive Settings. You can set the delay up to 30 seconds and fire up to 10 shots at a time. Program it, stick it up in the air on a pole and fire away. No strings, no tape, no cords.