I'm jumping out of a plane Friday, any advice?

[Andrew Tingle]

I do have one tip that may help your wife no end, as I did this when photographing my wife doing her skydive (which I got her as a present).

Sounds daft, but ask the guy you are going tandem with what his chute looks like, as in what colors, any stripes, etc. if your wife knows what your chute looks like it will make it easier for her to zone in on you once it opens then track you as you come down to a landing.

As said, sounds obvious, but, trust me, if you don't know what chute to look for and others are jumping as well it's way too easy to fire off shots that transpire to be of someone else.

[Timphoto]

Excellent tip, Andrew!

[whuband]

In the grand scheme of things the money that you pay for a pro will not be missed for long, but the memory will be preserved forever (sounds like a greeting card). Some friends of mine just jumped for a 60th birthday and the photos and gopro videos were great.

[Andrew Tingle]

Thanks Tim.

Just another thought, concerning use of the camera.

It's great to get landscape shots when the subject is high, but, as you come lower ask your wife to go into portrait orientation as otherwise chances are, if she is at a good distance from where you are due to land, she will find it very hard to get both you and the chute in frame at the same time.

There is, however, a problem with this. That being that the central focus point will be between you and the chute so will only have either nothing but sky to lock on to, resulting in missed focus ( or she will only have cables, and that doesn't give the camera a great deal to work with). So, also, show her how to move the focus point down, when camera is in portrait, so the FP is low in the frame so she can place that over you to focus as you come in yet still get the chute in frame.

If she is to use all focus points, on the other hand, make sure you get a good apature so that if the camera decides, say, on focusing on a corner of the chute you are still in focus too.

Lowered single point focusing would be best, if possible, however...

[JasonMK]

Originally Posted by Phoenixkh

I was going to suggest using a parachute.

That is one way to freeze the action. Without one I may be going too fast to photograph.

[JasonMK]

Originally Posted by Timphoto

By the way, which drop zone are you going to?

Delmarva, I guess it is in Laurel, DE.

Originally Posted by S.Horton

Congrats on the doctorate.

Enjoy the jump. Let someone else get photos.

Please post after the jump, so we know you are ok. And photos too!

Thanks, and will most definately do!

[JasonMK]

Originally Posted by Andrew Tingle

...but ask the guy you are going tandem with what his chute looks like, as in what colors, any stripes, etc.

Originally Posted by Andrew Tingle

... as you come lower ask your wife to go into portrait orientation as otherwise chances are, if she is at a good distance from where you are due to land, she will find it very hard to get both you and the chute in frame at the same time.

Andrew, now that is the type of tips I was hoping for, both GREAT ideas. I'm going to email her this thread tonight. Thanks!

[Andrew Tingle]

Thanks. Glad I could be of some help. Look forward to seeing the images and enjoy your jump!

[CountryBoy]

The problem with full auto , is that your shutter speed might not be fast enough , you'll also need to be in AI Servo mode for your Af .

[S.Horton]

Ya know, upside down, that NY avatar looks like the Chinese symbol for "Phanatic"

[JasonMK]

They are calling for some rain tomorrow, so I do not know how that will effect me. Fingers crossed...

[Timphoto]

Rain is a show stopper, but jumping in between some puffy cumulus clouds is a really good fun. Especially if you get out above the clouds and can see your shadow speed across the cloud tops while you're in freefall. On a really good day you even get a halo around your shadow.

[CountryBoy]

Originally Posted by S.Horton

Ya know, upside down, that NY avatar looks like the Chinese symbol for "Phanatic"

The Avatar Fairy must be a Boston fan .

[S.Horton]

So, awaiting photos of OP before, during, and after, alive strongly preferred.

[titanium21]

Pay the pro to take the photos/video of you jumping out of the plane. I regret not spending the extra when I did it. My friend spent the extra and it was worth it.