Need way to shoot pools from high above and angled down

Ok folks, need some suggestions/help on this one.

A real estate client likes the work I have done for him on his real estate listings, shooting the interiors and exteriors. Now he wants me to start doing the pools his other company, a pool building outfit, does. These are condo or large development pools, not backyard single family pools. He wants them photographer from as high above as possible, to get a "birds eye view"

I have never done this before, so any suggestion on how to do this would be greatly appreciated. I have been looking at stands and booms similar to an overhead boom/hair light outfit that one would use in studio. Today, was cleaning dead branches from high up in oak trees and it hit me---I have this tool for cleaning/sawing/hookin​g branches,etc that extends up to 18 feet but it is quite heavy, probably 15-20 lbs and is made of steel. It has a head on it that can be fitted with different tools such as the hook or saw. I thought maybe I could rig it to have some type of grip attach to it and then attach my 5D + 16-35mm lens to the grip

anybody ever done something like this before? The camera would have to tilt down or have the device holding it to be able to tilt down (like with the hair light boom off a lighting stand) to get the right angle of view. Not sure how I would go about securing the stand either, don't feel comfortable holding it and shooting remotely. Thought about attaching to dolly or ladder. (this idea keeps getting more expensive too btw )

By the time I am finished with what I am thinking of now, it may work, but will cost hundreds of dollars and will be a pain to transport to the sites.

Any help greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

William

Rent a lift (like those used to change lights) from a construction rental place. Do several in a day and charge the client for the rental and related expenses.

rgs wrote in post #15764449
Rent a lift (like those used to change lights) from a construction rental place. Do several in a day and charge the client for the rental and related expenses.

Having rented many lifts I can speak from experience that they are unruly to move around one location, let alone transport to many locations. Also since most of these pools will be in the backyard you're going to have to find a way to get a lift back there.. through someone's landscaped nice yard.

I like the OP's idea of the long pole. The one you currently own is metal and heavy. They make models that are made of plexiglass that will go equally as long and are much much lighter. I've seen some in the paint department of big box home improvement stores that are designed for putting a paint brush on the end. Figure out a way to rig your camera on the end. Set the camera to a 10 sec shutter release timer. Manual focus for your estimated distance (should be easy enough on an UWA lens). Press the shutter release and hoist that sucker up in the air.

I'm sure it will take some practice and your keeper rate might be pretty low at first, but eventually you'll be a pro!

rgs wrote in post #15764449
Rent a lift (like those used to change lights) from a construction rental place. Do several in a day and charge the client for the rental and related expenses.

these are pools in vacation resort so getting a lift into there will probably be forbidden but thanks for the idea, can still check on that. Thanks!!

Zatx wrote in post #15764521
They make models that are made of plexiglass that will go equally as long and are much much lighter. I've seen some in the paint department of big box home improvement stores that are designed for putting a paint brush on the end. Figure out a way to rig your camera on the end. Set the camera to a 10 sec shutter release timer. Manual focus for your estimated distance (should be easy enough on an UWA lens). Press the shutter release and hoist that sucker up in the air.

that might work! I have local Home Depot and Lowes quite close. Will check them out online and in-store. I have not heard of them having ones with paint brush attached. That is good to hear. If you can paint with it then I will likely be able to securely fasten the camera to it.
And then, like you said, can set camera to hyperfocal distance (not hard at the distance being used and wide angle lens) and use timed remote. If can get it in not as heavy fiber/plexiglass then it should be doable. Thanks!

I have this tool for cleaning/sawing/hookin​g branches,etc that extends up to 18 feet but it is quite heavy

Wouldn't a high step ladder do better.

Denny G wrote in post #15764755
I have this tool for cleaning/sawing/hookin​g branches,etc that extends up to 18 feet but it is quite heavy

Wouldn't a high step ladder do better.

I considered a ladder but was concerned about personal safety due to high winds here on the coast. However, just spent some time on the big box websites and the 17-21 ft Little Giant ladder appears to be pretty stable with two additional legs on each side which are adjustable out to the side for a wider base. I also came up with the idea of latching onto the ladder as I climbed it with roofer's gear (similar to mountain climbing gear) so even if fell would only fall one about 2 feet and would be anchored around the waist, not legs.

What do ya'll think about that solution?

Thanks to everyone for the feedback

Since the pools will probably be fairly large I find it hard to see how you can get non-distorted images with a lens wide enough to show the whole pool and still be able to hold the camera with a hand-held pole. So the first thing that came to my mind is a tethered blimp:

http://www.airship.com​.au/products/tethered_​blimps.html

http://www.rcgroups.co​m …/showthread.php​?t=1434043

Cost might be an issue, but you could include some graphics on the blimp to advertise your business at the same time you're using it. There are probably a whole slew of other issues to consider as well. And you might not need to use the bigger ones like in the links, but you might need a helper with a second line so you can position it better.

Just a thought.

How about one of the rc copters. I have seen one used and they seem quiet stable.

http://compare.ebay.co​m …edPriceItemType​s&var=sbar

Rent a helicopter.

http://www.draganfly.c​om …elicopter/draga​nflyer-x6/

Don't worry it comes with an operator.

If the pools are next to a condo, can't you use one of the balconies that face it? Or the roof, if it's not too far from the pool?

My guess is the guy does not want pictures taken from a 15' poll. Learn to fly a large RC helicopter. Maybe rent a full size helicopter for the day/couple hours and shoot all the pools in one outing. Might be able to rent a plane instead of a helicopter too ... might save a few bucks. I know the local small airport here has pilots that will fly photographers where ever they want for $125 an hour. If the resorts or close to each other you shuold be able to do them all in a couple hours.

My guess is the guy does not want pictures taken from a 15' poll. Learn to fly a large RC helicopter. Maybe rent a full size helicopter for the day/couple hours and shoot all the pools in one outing. Might be able to rent a plane instead of a helicopter too ... might save a few bucks. I know the local small airport here has pilots that will fly photographers where ever they want for $125 an hour. If the resorts or close to each other you shuold be able to do them all in a couple hours.

You could also sell the owner of the resort full birds eye views of the resort.

Liquid Dark wrote in post #15764809
I considered a ladder but was concerned about personal safety due to high winds here on the coast. However, just spent some time on the big box websites and the 17-21 ft Little Giant ladder appears to be pretty stable with two additional legs on each side which are adjustable out to the side for a wider base. I also came up with the idea of latching onto the ladder as I climbed it with roofer's gear (similar to mountain climbing gear) so even if fell would only fall one about 2 feet and would be anchored around the waist, not legs.

What do ya'll think about that solution?

Thanks to everyone for the feedback

Not a good idea.

I'm the Safety Director for a construction company and have 18 years experience with ladder safety. This has bad news written all over it.