Taking pictures in a flying helicopter...?

[haring]

Do you know how to take pictures of people in a flying helicopter? Have you ever done it?
I am thinking about putting my camera on the helicopter's cockpit and I would like to trigger it via a remote. This way I would be able to take take the photos while the pilot is flying the chopper.
The question is how to set up the camera so it is stable on the cockpit...?
I was thinking about using a powerful suction cup camera mount. Something like this: Gripper Midi 498 - The Filmtools 3/8 6" Suction-Cup Camera Mount
Any thoughts? Have you ever done something similar?

Thanks!

[KenJulio]

I would suspect if it's directly mounted to the body of the helo, you'll have a lot of vibration.

What is your objective of the shoot? A birdseye view of property? A shot of the pilot?

[JohnT]

One word: Harness.

[Ahh!]

Too oo oo oo oo mu u u u u u u ch vi i i i i i bra a a a a a a a tio u u u u u u u n!

I was aboard the bird Channel 8 in Oahu rents. The owner provides them a $150,000 lens bolted onto the belly of his birdie (along with all the rest of the goodies) to counter the vibe. (All the TV station bought was the paint job. Seems the paint wasn't affected much by the vibe). Fun to hang out from it with the doors off. +1 on the harness. I don't think I'd trust the suction cup.

[janikphoto]

Originally Posted by ken74

...What is your objective of the shoot? A birdseye view of property? A shot of the pilot?

He stated his intent (the pilot) right here:

Originally Posted by haring

...This way I would be able to take take the photos while the pilot is flying the chopper...

After reading his post again, I guess I can see how you might misunderstand this. He should've said, "This way I would be able to take photos of the pilot while he/she is flying the chopper." This would've made it absolutely clear.

To the OP: By the way, you'll need to get some of the outside environment in the pic, if you want it to look like the pilot is actually flying. Without clouds and horizon seen out the window, it doesn't really matter if he fakes the actions or it's a real flight photo. You could shoot tight in on him and never know if it was a real flight shot or not. Be sure to find an angle of him/her that shows out a window, too.

[haring]

I am sorry for not being clear. It will be a wedding. The groom will be flying to the wedding venue in a helicopter and I want him to sit next to the pilot. I want to capture the moment when we take off and the groom and all the groomsmen are scared a little bit...

[Bruce M. Morris]

My best recommendation for what you want to achieve, if groom is next to pilot, shoot while it is on the ground from low angle, wide angle lens THROUGH the plexiglass. you get the effect and the sky background. If you want groom and groomsmen scared and all in the same photo, it would be better if they are strapped into seats in the back... If you are riding with them, this is one fo the times when you WILL want camera strap around your neck. no recovering a camera that fallls from 1000 ft.

[haring]

Originally Posted by Bruce M. Morris

My best recommendation for what you want to achieve, if groom is next to pilot, shoot while it is on the ground from low angle, wide angle lens THROUGH the plexiglass. you get the effect and the sky background. If you want groom and groomsmen scared and all in the same photo, it would be better if they are strapped into seats in the back... If you are riding with them, this is one fo the times when you WILL want camera strap around your neck. no recovering a camera that fallls from 1000 ft.

Thanks Bruce!!!

[venchka]

Originally Posted by haring

I am sorry for not being clear. It will be a wedding. The groom will be flying to the wedding venue in a helicopter and I want him to sit next to the pilot. I want to capture the moment when we take off and the groom and all the groomsmen are scared a little bit...

Why would they be scared? Get the widest lens you can find. Then get one wider. If you have the 50D in your sig., Sigma's 8mm to something zoom is as wide it gets. Get in there with them. If there isn't any room for you, fake it as suggested above.

[JohnT]

What could be cool is shooting with a fisheye.

[TxTowman]

Take them from another aircraft flying beside the Helo!

I' be glad to come hang out the window. I have my own harness and necessary gear.

[haring]

Originally Posted by TxTowman

Take them from another aircraft flying beside the Helo!

I' be glad to come hang out the window. I have my own harness and necessary gear.

LOL! I will let you know!!! :)